IT for government and public sector
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News
14 Jun 2024
Post Office scandal victims in Scotland have convictions quashed
Scotland follows England, Wales and Northern Ireland in exonerating wrongfully convicted subpostmasters en masse Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2024
General election 2024: Labour promises to boost digital infrastructure
The Labour Party manifesto for the UK general election promises a new industrial strategy and an overhaul of planning rules to help support the digital and tech sector Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2024
Obituary: Professor Ross Anderson, pioneer in security engineering and campaigner
Ross Anderson, a titan in the field of security engineering and campaigner for privacy and security, has passed away Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Apr 2024
Security Think Tank: Banning ransomware payments is not so straightforward
In the wake of renewed calls for lawmakers to consider enacting legal bans on ransomware payments, the Computer Weekly Security Think Tank weighs in to share their thoughts on how to tackle the scourge for good. Continue Reading
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News
03 Apr 2024
RDP abused in over 90% of cyber attacks, Sophos finds
Threat actors continue to see great success using simple, tried and tested methods, and many defenders are failing to do the basics Continue Reading
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News
03 Apr 2024
Women in Data: MoD’s first chief data officer on overcoming imposter syndrome
At the recent Women In Data event, Caroline Bellamy outlined why the defence sector needs diversity of thinking when tackling threats Continue Reading
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News
03 Apr 2024
Fujitsu staff instructed how to bid for government contracts during self-imposed ban
Leak reveals how Fujitsu advises staff to approach UK government customers during its self-imposed bidding pause, as well as details of a multimillion-pound project to protect its reputation Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Apr 2024
Security Think Tank: How to tackle the scourge of ransomware?
In the wake of renewed calls for lawmakers to consider enacting legal bans on ransomware payments, the Computer Weekly Security Think Tank weighs in to share their thoughts on how to tackle the scourge for good. Continue Reading
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News
02 Apr 2024
US and UK agree AI safety collaboration
The UK and US governments have signed an agreement to forge close ties between their respective AI Safety Institutes Continue Reading
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Opinion
01 Apr 2024
Security Think Tank: Ransomware lessons from the armed forces
In the wake of renewed calls for lawmakers to consider enacting legal bans on ransomware payments, the Computer Weekly Security Think Tank weighs in to share their thoughts on how to tackle the scourge for good. Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2024
Organisations getting better at spotting identity fraud
As the barriers to committing identity fraud continue to drop, organisations should consider more sophisticated technical measures to successfully up their game, according to a report Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2024
Government lifts chip strategy with a bit more cash
Unlike the EU and US, the UK government appears to be taking its time on providing a large cash injection to build out the UK semiconductor sector Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2024
Counter-eavesdropping agency unlawfully used surveillance powers to identify journalist’s source
More than 750 journalists had their communications data accessed by law enforcement and government agencies between 2018 and 2022 Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Mar 2024
Facial recognition endangers us all without a clear legal basis
Technology researcher Stephanie Hare outlines the growing danger of the UK’s failure to legalise and regulate facial recognition technology Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2024
Remote access is the Post Office’s known unknown
Calls for criminal investigation after covert recordings are latest evidence to reveal extent of Post Office knowledge of remote access to subpostmaster accounts Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Mar 2024
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A local government GDS might work - but only on top of standard technology
The old debate about an equivalent of the Government Digital Service for local authorities has swung round again - but it will only ever work if it's founded on common standards and technologies Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Mar 2024
Balancing regulation and innovation to ensure the UK remains a global leader in AI
The EU has taken a lead in regulating artificial intelligence through its AI Act - the UK government needs to respond or it risks losing the UK's status as an AI innovation frontrunner Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2024
HMRC’s online IR35 status checker tool CEST not updated in five years, FOI confirms
Despite a previous pledge that HMRC’s IR35 online status checker tool will be continually updated as employment cases and tribunals occur, a freedom of information request confirms CEST has not been updated since October 2019 Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2024
Cyber spies, not cyber criminals, behind most zero-day exploitation
Analysis from Google has found that zero-day vulnerabilities are much more heavily exploited for espionage purposes than for financially motivated cyber crime Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2024
Lord Holmes: UK cannot 'wait and see' to regulate AI
Legislation is needed to seize the benefits of artificial intelligence while minimising its risks, says Lord Holmes - but the government’s ‘wait and see’ approach to regulation will fail on both fronts Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2024
Leaked comms reveal Fujitsu eyeing huge UK government bounty, despite Post Office scandal promise
While subpostmasters fight tooth and nail for justice and financial redress, Fujitsu continues to target millions of UK taxpayer pounds Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2024
UK regional science and tech startups grew in 2023
Globally there is still a post-pandemic funding slump, but UK startups in regions such as Wales and Yorkshire grew private sector investment in 2023 Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2024
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange given temporary reprieve over extradition
Court seeks assurances from the US that Assange will be given First Amendment Rights, will not prejudiced at trial because of his nationality, and will not be subject to the death penalty Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2024
Shareholders win when businesses do better at cyber
The more advanced a company’s cyber security performance, and the more engaged its board is with security issues, the greater the return for shareholders, a report has found Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2024
NHS SBS launches digital advisory framework
The Digital Health Advisory Services framework agreement aims to provide a way for health and care organisations to get help with digital transformation and skills Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2024
Sums of money Post Office ‘stole’ from subpostmasters may never be known
MP asks government minister for figure on how much money the Post Office took from subpostmasters who were wrongly blamed for accounting shortfalls Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2024
Chinese hackers responsible for two ‘malicious’ cyber campaigns against UK
Government sanctions two Chinese nationals and a Chinese company identified as responsible for cyber campaigns against government officials and members of parliament Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Mar 2024
Making Tax Digital explained: Everything you need to know
Making Tax Digital is meant to overhaul the UK tax system, make it easier for businesses to file tax returns, and reduce error and fraud. How successful has the programme been? Computer Weekly looks at the details of tax digitisation Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2024
Britain’s democracy under threat from Chinese cyber attackers, government warns
The deputy prime minister, Oliver Dowden, is due to tell Parliament that Beijing is behind a hacking attack that obtained details of 40 million UK voters and has targeted parliamentarians who have criticised the regime Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2024
Court finds EncroChat hacked messages admissible as former footballer is jailed
A judge in ‘lead’ EncroChat case found that messages obtained by police from the encrypted phone network can be lawfully used in evidence Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2024
Open Data Institute launches digital policy manifesto
The Open Data Institute has launched a policy manifesto ahead of the UK general election that outlines policies and issues it believes must be part of the political discussion around digital and data Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2024
Post Office Capture users’ campaign for justice gathers pace
The government is taking Post Office Capture allegations seriously as former subpostmasters seek answers Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2024
NCSC guidance to help CEOs work through cyber incidents
The NCSC has published in-depth guidance on how business leaders should respond to a cyber attack or data breach. Learn about some of the key steps you will need to follow Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2024
Post Office scandal fallout for Fujitsu could open UK public sector to Indian giants
Post Office scandal has damaged public trust in Japanese IT supplier Fujitsu, which could open door to primed rivals Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2024
HMRC legacy UK customs system to be switched off for good
The 30-year-old Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (Chief) system will cease to exist on 4 June 2024, six years after HMRC originally planned to shut it down Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2024
IR35 reforms: IT contractors urged to reclaim tax they may have overpaid in off-payroll settlements
With the government set to fix the settlements offset issue from 6 April, contractor insurance firm Qdos is urging individuals who worked for non-compliant IR35 organisations to see if they can reclaim any money they have overpaid Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2024
UK’s cyber resilience stagnates as more fall victim to attacks
The government is calling on businesses to ramp up their cyber protections as study shows improvements to resilience are stagnating amid an ever-growing volume of attacks Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2024
Inclusive approaches to AI governance needed to engage public
Technology practitioners and experts gathered at an annual Alan Turing Institute-run conference discussed the need for more inclusive approaches to AI governance that actually engage citizens and workers Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2024
SAP S/4HANA data migration beset by poor and fragmented strategy
Survey finds customers transitioning to S/4HANA lack strategic thinking and skills, can’t access data, face challenges in data duplication, can’t use AI, and worry about compliance Continue Reading
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E-Zine
19 Mar 2024
What went wrong with Birmingham’s Oracle project?
In this week’s Computer Weekly, after Birmingham City Council’s disastrous Oracle project cost over £100m, we analyse where it all went wrong. Our new buyer’s guide examines building a sustainable IT strategy. And we find out how Thomson Reuters is using AI to enhance its product offerings. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Mar 2024
How to stop data from driving government mad
The Institute for Government has recommended reforms to the way Number 10 operates - and a new way of managing and using data in the AI age is central to its proposals Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2024
Spring Budget risks funding legally questionable police tech
Open legal questions around how UK police are using facial recognition and cloud technology could undermine the £230m investment committed in the Spring Budget to “time and money-saving technology” for police Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2024
The Security Interviews: Alex Yampolskiy, SecurityScorecard
Alex Yampolskiy conceived the idea for risk management specialist SecurityScorecard after getting stung by a SaaS supplier that was being cavalier with its customer data. He tells his story to Computer Weekly Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2024
CCS slammed over errors in G-Cloud 14 data protection documents
The government’s procurement arm is under fire again, after prospective suppliers to the G-Cloud 14 framework raised complaints about CCS’s quality control procedures Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2024
Deep fake AI services on Telegram pose risk for elections
Deep fake services advertised on Telegram and other platforms pose a risk to upcoming elections in Europe, Asia and the US Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2024
G7 nations sign deal to harness AI potential
G7 nations will produce a joint report on how to increase artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, boost growth of the quantum sector and create an AI toolkit to inform policy-making Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2024
Government needs ‘realistic plan’ for adopting AI, says NAO
Benefits of artificial intelligence in public sector will only be realised if government ensures overall programme for adoption is supported by realistic plan to tackle range of longstanding barriers Continue Reading
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Opinion
18 Mar 2024
Digital government: problems on the horizon
Are government’s digital programmes becoming the next Post Office Horizon scandal? Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2024
UK’s AI ambitions pointless while cyber security is still neglected
The UK’s AI ambitions may be at considerable risk without stronger cyber defences across the private and public sectors Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Mar 2024
Creative workers say livelihoods threatened by generative AI
Computer Weekly speaks with various creative workers about the impact generative artificial intelligence systems are having on their work and livelihoods Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2024
UK government calls on comms firms to limit installation of telegraph poles
After public demonstrations, minister urges communications industry to ‘do whatever it takes’ to share existing infrastructure to avoid ‘inappropriately or unnecessarily throwing up’ new telegraph poles Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2024
London Mayor’s Office reprimanded over data breach
The London Mayor’s Office has been reprimanded by the ICO after an internal error exposed the data of people who had made complaints against the Metropolitan Police Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2024
NHS to extend use of AI to cut waiting times and missed appointments
Following a pilot of AI software predicting likely missed appointments at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, 10 further trusts will deploy the system Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2024
Government pumps £1.1bn into tech skills training
Government funding will be used to allow more than 4,000 students to pursue PhDs in technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and 6G Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2024
Controversial Post Office Capture software was completely rewritten in 1994
MP demands that the Post Office put effort into fully explaining the development and use of error-prone software used before Horizon in the 1990s Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2024
Home Office plans to give UK police forces auto-redaction technology
The department has funded a market review of redaction tools and aims to deliver AI-powered automated redaction tools to the police as quickly as possible Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2024
MPs will attempt to amend law on overturning Post Office scandal convictions
Business and trade select committee chair says the job is not done with legislation to overturn wrongful subpostmaster convictions and provide financial redress Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2024
Children of Post Office victims to hold Fujitsu boss to his word
The children of victims of the Post Office scandal have formed a group that will hold Fujitsu’s European boss to his promise of support Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2024
US authorities move a step closer to banning TikTok
Lawmakers in Washington DC have moved a step closer to enacting a broad national ban on controversial video app TikTok in the US, with global ramifications Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2024
Microsoft AI-powered cyber service to go live in April
After a year being previewed by beta customers, Microsoft’s much vaunted Copilot for Security service is about to go on general release, promising time savings and improved accuracy for hard-pressed security pros Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2024
British Library opens up over ransomware attack to help others
The British Library has opted for full transparency after experiencing a devastating ransomware attack, publishing details of the intrusion, its response and the lessons it has learned Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2024
UK gets funding boost through EU Horizon chip initiative
Signing up to the Chips Joint Undertaking means the UK will receive up to £35m to support chip development Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2024
Unprecedented bill to exonerate hundreds of wrongly convicted Post Office workers arrives
Unprecedented legislation that will see hundreds of former subpostmaster convictions for fraud and theft overturned begins its journey through Parliament Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2024
March Patch Tuesday throws up two critical Hyper-V flaws
Two critical vulnerabilities in Windows Hyper-V stand out on an otherwise unremarkable Patch Tuesday Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2024
Labour will use AI to grow the economy by 0.5%, says shadow tech secretary Peter Kyle
The Labour Party plans to promote the use of artificial intelligence in small businesses and across government to grow the economy, but transparency and building trust with the public will be key Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2024
Industry partnerships and data key to better public services
Using public-private partnerships and improving the use of data are key to improving public services and the government’s ‘science and technology superpower’ ambitions, says digital secretary Michelle Donelan Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2024
UK and German governments sign up to greater R&D collaboration
Declaration aims to build on joint R&D efforts, as well as support artificial intelligence, quantum computing and clean tech Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2024
Current subpostmaster account shortfalls reveal extent of Post Office’s pre-2019 neglect
Hundreds of current subpostmasters might have been hounded for money or prosecuted had the Post Office not been forced to change its ways in 2019 Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2024
Digitally transforming government: MoJ and GDS on using mobile devices and GenAI to help people
During a fireside chat at the Tech Show London, GDS CEO Tom Read and the Ministry of Justice CDIO Gina Gill swapped stories on how their teams are using technology to improve the quality of life for citizens Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2024
Government not facing up to CNI cyber risks, committee warns
The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy has accused the government of burying its head in the sand over the cyber threat to UK critical infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2024
TechUK calls for next government to introduce ‘industrial strategy’ for AI
Trade group TechUK publishes blueprint calling for winner of next election to boost tech startups, digitise government services and accelerate technology R&D Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2024
PSNI chief denies ‘industrial’ use of surveillance powers against journalists
PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher has agreed to provide a report on police surveillance of journalists and lawyers to Northern Ireland’s policing watchdog Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2024
CCS U-turns on G-Cloud 14 insurance requirements after supplier backlash
The government procurement agency has reversed previous plans for a £20m increase in insurance cover that threatened to deter smaller suppliers from bidding for cloud computing contracts Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2024
Government insists it is acting ‘responsibly’ on military AI
The government has responded to calls from a Lords committee that it must “proceed with caution” when it comes to autonomous weapons and military artificial intelligence, arguing that caution is already embedded throughout its approach Continue Reading
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Blog Post
07 Mar 2024
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt gives the magic technology tree a shake
During her ill-fated 2017 general election campaign, prime minister Theresa May told an audience of voters on the BBC that there was no “magic money tree that we can shake to get everything we ... Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2024
Fujitsu should pay half of Post Office scandal costs, says select committee chair
Select committee chair says Fujitsu should pay half of the costs to repair damage caused by Post Office scandal Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2024
NI Policing Board pressed to open inquiry into PSNI spying on journalists’ phones
Amnesty International and the Committee on the Administration of Justice have asked Northern Ireland’s policing watchdog to open an inquiry into the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s use of surveillance powers against journalists Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2024
MPs call for Post Office exclusion from compensation schemes, as trust hits rock bottom
Former subpostmasters and MPs do not trust the Post Office to do the right thing for victims of the Horizon IT scandal Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2024
Chancellor targets £36bn productivity boost with £4.2bn digital transformation plan
In his 2024 spring budget, Jeremy Hunt announced funding to use tech to improve productivity across the public sector, with most of the cash focused on digital initiatives in the NHS Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2024
‘Brutal’ decisions required to sort out Post Office mess, says select committee chair
Liam Byrne, chair of the business and trade select committee, tells Computer Weekly about the group’s focus on getting Horizon scandal victims what they are owed Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2024
Post Office prosecutions during Horizon go-live phase are ‘frightening’
The Post Office used subpostmasters as guinea pigs to test its software and take the rap for its errors Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2024
Open Rights Group accuses LiveRamp of ‘unlawful’ data processing
Privacy campaigners at Open Rights Group have submitted formal complaints to UK and French data regulators about allegedly unlawful data processing by online advertising firm LiveRamp Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2024
Derby City Council extends AI project with multi-million deal after saving £200,000 with chatbots
Following on from the success of its initial pilot project using artificial intelligence, Derby City Council claims to have found 54 other ways the technology can save it money Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2024
Banning ransomware payments back on the agenda
The idea of banning ransomware payments to cyber criminals is back on the agenda, with former NCSC chief Ciaran Martin arguing that tougher measures need to be taken Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2024
Perverting course of justice and contempt of Parliament: a week in post-drama Post Office scandal
As another week in the post-drama Post Office scandal passes, Computer Weekly looks at some of the key moments Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2024
Jeremy Hunt to deliver tech-laden Spring Budget
The chancellor’s 2024 Budget will cover a £800m funding package to boost public sector productivity through technology, with cash for police tech, the justice system transformation programme and the NHS Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2024
Amazon lobbyists banned from European Parliament
Amazon lobbyists have had their access badges to the European Parliament revoked, following allegedly repeated refusals to engage with lawmakers on issues around working conditions and rights Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2024
G-Cloud 14 insurance requirements ‘under review’ by CCS after SME supplier backlash
CCS has confirmed to Computer Weekly the insurance requirements for Lots 1 to 3 of the G-Cloud 14 framework are under review, as SME-focused minister pledges to investigate matter Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Mar 2024
Ivanti vulnerabilities explained: Everything you need to know
A series of vulnerabilities in Ivanti products have caused concern worldwide. Delve into some of the key issues arising from the Ivanti disclosures, looking at the vulnerabilities and their impact, what affected users should do, and learn about new developments Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2024
Scottish government opens Techscaler hub in Silicon Valley
The Scottish Techscaler programme is piloting its first overseas hub, which will have space for 12 startups wanting to grow their businesses Continue Reading
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Blog Post
01 Mar 2024
Get a grip and pay the subpostmasters
Last week there were two questions asked in the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions about the Post Office scandal. How refreshing it is to see this finally becoming a regular part of ... Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2024
KC names Post Office staff he believes conspired to pervert the course of justice
Leading KC names Post Office staff he believes perverted the course of justice when crushing subpostmasters in court Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2024
MPs demand Fujitsu be ‘nailed down’ on financial promise to Post Office scandal victims
Select committee hears that government is talking to Fujitsu about its contribution towards the costs of the Horizon scandal but it is not yet negotiating Continue Reading
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News
29 Feb 2024
Home Office GPS tagging of asylum seekers breaches data protection law
The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued an enforcement notice against the Home Office after finding its programme to tag asylum seekers with GPS monitors breaches data protection law Continue Reading
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News
29 Feb 2024
DSIT publishes results of public digital identity trust consultation
Report from Department for Science, Innovation and Technology shows UK public wants government to be accountable and transparent, and views trust and inclusivity as key Continue Reading
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News
29 Feb 2024
Government sets out research plans for 2024
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology highlights cyber security, artificial intelligence and telecoms as areas where it would like to build evidence and bridge knowledge gaps in current research Continue Reading
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News
29 Feb 2024
Post Office CEO’s claim to be ‘working hard’ on Capture investigation in doubt
The Post Office hasn’t even contacted Capture Software users brought to its attention, but CEO claimed, under oath, that the organisation has been ‘working hard’ on the cases for five weeks Continue Reading
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News
29 Feb 2024
Police arrested journalists as part of surveillance operation to identify confidential sources
Three police forces took part in surveillance operations between 2011 and 2018 to identify sources that leaked information to journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal hears Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2024
New version of ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware hits victims
An updated version of the ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware has been spotted in the wild amid a series of attacks on American healthcare providers, prompting a new alert from the authorities Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2024
75% of third-party breaches target software, IT supply chains
Data drawn from SecurityScorecard’s telemetry reveals how supply chain breaches are becoming a weapon of choice for threat actors Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2024
Users love their cyber teams, but find them frustrating
Despite strong support for security teams, a good number of ordinary workers see them as obstructive to business goals, and would like to see them operate more transparently Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2024
IR35 reforms: PAC concerned HMRC’s ‘tough’ enforcement is harming contractors
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised red flags over how HMRC is policing the IR35 rules out of concern its actions might be putting public and private sector organisations off hiring contractors Continue Reading