IT for retail and logistics

Digital retail calls for agile approach, say experts

To embrace digital technology, retailers need to adopt an agile nature across the entire business and break down internal silos, said a panel at Retail Week Live Continue Reading

Employers face hiring crisis as AI replaces mid-skilled jobs

Artificial intelligence could replace two-thirds of existing jobs within 20 years, and employers will face growing difficulties recruiting skilled staff Continue Reading

SD-WAN needs software-defined security

Digital transformation is driving organisations to move to the cloud, which requires a new architecture that embraces cloud technology, but that in turn requires a new way of thinking about network security to ensure data is protected Continue Reading

Tesco appoints new chief technology officer

Supermarket giant’s new CTO joins from Airbus and will continue to implement retailer’s digital transformation programme Continue Reading

Security Think Tank: Fileless malware not totally undetectable

What should organisations do at the very least to ensure business computers are protected from fileless malware? Continue Reading

WhatsApp to suspend data sharing with Facebook

WhatsApp has agreed to stop sharing personal data with Facebook until data protection concerns are addressed Continue Reading

Security Think Tank: Awareness is a good starting point to counter fileless malware

What should organisations do at the very least to ensure business computers are protected from fileless malware? Continue Reading

Researchers accused of irresponsible disclosure of AMD chip flaws

Israel-based researchers have been accused of irresponsible disclosure for going public with more than a dozen security flaws discovered in AMD processors Continue Reading

Retailers need to prepare properly before AI adoption, say experts

Artificial intelligence can help many areas of the retail landscape, but retailers should make sure they prepare before taking on AI adoption, says an expert panel Continue Reading

Businesses need to take cryptojacking seriously

Organisations must pay attention to cyber criminals hijacking computing resources to mine cryptocurrencies, because nearly half are affected and the impact is greater than many realise Continue Reading

Russian augmented reality startups break into enterprise space

Augmented, virtual and mixed reality technologies edge closer to enterprise adoption in Russia as a strong local developer network grows Continue Reading

Unlocking digital change in criminal justice

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the IT and digital chief at the Ministry of Justice to hear about tackling the challenges of digital transformation across the criminal justice system. European cities are trying to attract British IT talent as a result of Brexit – what does it mean for UK IT? And we take an in-depth look at the fintech sector in our latest buyer’s guide. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Digital for rural areas worth up to £26bn to UK economy

A study commissioned by Amazon has posited that greater use of digital tools and services could be worth between £12bn and £26bn per annum to the UK economy Continue Reading

Proof of concept shows blockchain could save lives in pharmaceutical logistics

DHL and Accenture pilot tracks pharmaceutical products from manufacture to prescription, showing potential to clamp down on counterfeit medicines Continue Reading

Scottish government to spend £25m to fill 4G coverage gaps

The Scottish government has announced a £25m programme to infill gaps in 4G mobile network coverage across Scotland Continue Reading

UK leads global upward trend in SOC maturity

The UK is leading the way towards more efficient security operations centres, but many still continue to operate with serious gaps in security, a report reveals Continue Reading

UK government criticised over lack of GDPR explanation

Most IT decision makers in the UK are critical of the government for failing to educate organisations about the GDPR and its implications, and few have a clear understanding of it, a survey shows Continue Reading

Modern retail: machine learning, customer experience and legacy

As the retail landscape shifts in the wake of new technologies, experts in retail and tech explain how firms need to adapt to cater for modern consumers Continue Reading

Cryptojacking cyber criminals up their game

Cyber criminals hijacking computing resources to mine for cryptocurrencies are raising their efforts to bypass enterprise security controls, researchers have found Continue Reading

CW Europe: Germany’s Lemoncat takes catering to the cloud

Business catering startup Lemoncat has taken advantage of the affordable cost of living in Berlin and is shaking up the catering sector by harnessing the Amazon and Salesforce clouds. Also in this issue, read how Moscow’s government is taking advantage of high penetration of broadband and mobile internet to expand innovative services under the Russian capital’s smart city programme, and how organisations in the Netherlands still have much to do to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation. Continue Reading

Wi-Fi provider uses big data analytics to drive customer experience

The self-styled “Uber of Wi-Fi”, iPass is using Databricks’ Unified Analytics Platform and machine learning to monitor its worldwide network and help its customers get the best experience Continue Reading

Co-op trials pay-in-aisle technology

Food retailer Co-op plans to introduce a smartphone self-checkout system so customers can pay for goods without visiting a till Continue Reading

CIO interview: Helena Theakstone, head of digital, Oasis Fashion

Oasis Fashion’s head of digital talks about GDPR preparation, collaboration between digital and IT, and the importance of listening to customers Continue Reading

Trust underpins innovation, says UK information commissioner

Underlining the relevance of data protection legislation to business, the UK information commissioner says consumer trust is key to innovation Continue Reading

Are mobile wallets about to make contactless cards look outdated?

Mobile wallets look set to take root as consumers increasingly use their mobile phones to pay for goods and services Continue Reading

ICO head tops DataIQ data leader list

The UK’s information commissioner has been named at the top data leader for 2018 in the DataIQ 100 list of most influential data leaders Continue Reading

CIO interview: Chris Ashworth, CIO, Hermes

Hermes aims to deliver on its innovation programme with a new data platform, a mobile app and experimenting with robots and drones Continue Reading

Sweden’s Systembolaget picks Evry for cloud transformation

Government-owned retailer signs major IT outsourcing agreement as part of its digital transformation programme Continue Reading

How IT is taking UPS to new heights

In this week's Computer Weekly, we talk to UPS CIO Juan Perez to find out how making his IT department “business intimate” is driving innovation at the parcel shipping giant. We look at how cloud management platforms can help ease the adoption of multiple public cloud services. And we examine how UK local councils are struggling to deal with cyber attacks and data breaches. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

What are the retail jobs that don’t exist yet?

As in many industries, technology and new consumer behaviour is changing the shape of retail. But what yet-to-be-created jobs are on the horizon for the sector? Continue Reading

GDPR is having positive impact on privacy profession, says IAPP

The EU’s new data protection rules are driving greater interest in the privacy profession, and provide an opportunity to develop new business plans, says privacy association Continue Reading

More than a quarter of UK shoppers prepared for wearable contactless payments

Mastercard research shows a growing number of shoppers are prepared to make purchases with smartwatches, rings and bracelets Continue Reading

IT services giants face stiff challenge from niche players in IoT market

Traditional broad and large IT services firms are facing competition from niche industry-focused companies in the IoT services market Continue Reading

Public education important in new data protection era, says ICO

UK information commissioner Elizabeth Denham tells Data Protection 2018 event of the tough requirements ahead in a new age of data regulation Continue Reading

Economic impact of cyber crime is significant and rising

Cyber attacks are becoming easier to carry out while defences remain inadequate, study shows Continue Reading

Government must invest in efficient IT to support food trade post-Brexit, say MPs

Inefficient IT and infrastructure at the border could cause perishable foods to spoil, says committee, which calls for the government to ensure the right IT is in place for prompt export and import Continue Reading

CIO interview: Mike Thomas, CIO, Hobbycraft

The CIO of Hobbycraft, Mike Thomas, speaks to Computer Weekly about the art of digital transformation in retail, the importance of customer experience and getting a good return on investment Continue Reading

US sentences two Russians for huge data breaches

The US has sentenced two Russian cyber criminals who targeted major payment processors, retailers and financial institutions around the world, as the US joins the UK in condemning Russia for the 2017 NotPetya attacks Continue Reading

Few organisations managing cyber risk, survey shows

Cyber risk management practices are not keeping up with rising cyber security concerns among senior executives around the world, a study shows Continue Reading

100 days to GDPR compliance deadline

As the clock ticks down to the deadline to comply with the EU’s new data protection regulations, some surveys indicate there is still some confusion, but the focus has shifted from the sanctions to the benefits Continue Reading

Quarter of retailers say tech investment makes it harder to connect with consumers

Lack of return on investment in technology has left one in four retailers disappointed and unable to connect with their customers Continue Reading

On the path to diversity in tech

In this week's Computer Weekly, after the UK celebrated 100 years of women's suffrage, we look at what more needs to be done to encourage greater diversity in IT to help tackle the on-going skills shortage, and we hear from female industry leaders. We examine how mobile app developers can improve security. And we look at the role of containers in storage architecture. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Belgian police share Cryakl ransomware keys

The Belgian police have released free decryption keys for the Cryakl ransomware through the No More Ransom project Continue Reading

DMA Group working to reduce fear around GDPR

The DMA Group is focused on the GDPR for customer communications and marketing, but says the key aim is to reduce fear in the market Continue Reading

Norway’s government backs cyber defence mobilisation

Norway has accelerated plans to scale up its national security infrastructure against threats emanating from the cyber domain Continue Reading

More POS malware detected in the wild

The first new point of sale malware in many months is stealing data from the magnetic strips on payment cards, security researchers warn Continue Reading

Data breaches set to affect future sales

The failure to protect customer data is set to create long-term business problems for organisations in Europe and the US, a survey reveals Continue Reading

Dubai transport authority maps city to support autonomous cars

Dubai’s RTA has enlisted Here Technologies to build a high-definition map of the city to support its goals around self-driving cars Continue Reading

Many UK firms ill-equipped to deal the cloud security risks

Many UK firms do not have the security tools, processes and skills required to ensure their cloud implementations are secure, a security researcher and advocate warns Continue Reading

How a digital workplace can drive innovation

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at some of the latest tools for the digital workplace and find out how they can improve collaboration and innovation. We ask what lessons the demise of Carillion has for IT outsourcing. And the CIO of retailer River Island tells us how technology is changing the high street in fashion. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

3, 2, 1, GDPR: How to be prepared on 25 May

There are seven key areas organisations should review to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation, and even though the deadline is less than four months away, it is still not too late to start Continue Reading

Industrial cyber security continues to be poor, warns report

The number of internet-accessible industrial control systems is increasing every year, researchers warn Continue Reading

European Commission eyes blockchain opportunity

The European Commission is aiming to get the most out of blockchain technology in a wide variety of sectors Continue Reading

More than half of millennials prefer online retailer info to in-store assistance

Customers between the ages of 25 and 34 would rather look online for information than talk to a shop assistant, even when they are in a store Continue Reading

Dutch companies not ready for GDPR despite approaching deadline

Organisations in the Netherlands are racing towards General Data Protection Regulation compliance, but there is still much to be done Continue Reading

Dutch port readies itself for autonomous ships

The Port of Rotterdam is using IoT and AI technology from IBM to improve efficiency and become the model for ports of the future Continue Reading

Most online retail sites put customers at risk of phishing

Most top online retail sites fail to protect consumers from phishing attacks, a study has revealed Continue Reading

Davos: Cyber risks grow as countries turn towards protectionism

The cost of natural disasters is now at record levels, but the cost of cyber crime is far higher. The World Economic Forum hopes to persuade governments to work together on the problem, but with isolationist politics back in fashion, can it succeed? Continue Reading

Online retail grew less than expected in 2017

IMRG and Capgemini found retail sales grew by 12.1% in 2017, but growth was lower than in the previous year Continue Reading

Business cyber crime up 63%, UK stats show  

Despite an overall decrease in fraud and computer misuse in 2017, the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports show that incidents involving computer misuse and malware against business are way up Continue Reading

ICO launches data protection excellence award

UK’s privacy watchdog launches data protection excellence award to mark international Data Protection Day, as security suppliers issue data protection tips and guidelines Continue Reading

UK likely to remain strategic EU data protection partner

Head of European Union’s independent data protection authority says UK is likely to remain a strategic partner in data protection after Brexit Continue Reading

CIO interview: Vlassios Rizopoulos, CTO, Pricesearcher.com

CTO of independent online search engine Pricesearcher.com explains how it uses big data and high-performance computing to cater to customers who use price as the deciding factor for their purchase Continue Reading

Most UK organisations unaware of new data protection laws

The UK’s digital and culture secretary is urging businesses and charities to prepare for stronger data protection laws in the light of new information Continue Reading

Mastercard sets biometric ID deadline for banks

Mastercard has committed to guaranteeing that every one of its customers will have access to biometric authentication services by April 2019 Continue Reading

GDPR: Not too late to ensure real risks will be addressed

With just four months to go before the General Data Protection Regulation compliance deadline, there is a growing anxiety in many parts of the regulated community that their GDPR plans may not be fit for purpose Continue Reading

NRF 2018: Cryptocurrencies “won’t take off”, says Visa executive

Visa’s CEO, Alfred Kelly, told retailers at the 2018 NRF Big Show that bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies should be low on their list of priorities Continue Reading

Norwegian healthcare breach alert failed GDPR requirements

Norwegian healthcare authorities failed General Data Protection Regulation requirements for notifying those affected by a personal data breach by waiting a week before disclosing a breach discovered on 8 January 2018 Continue Reading

CIO interview: Julian Burnett, CIO, House of Fraser

House of Fraser CIO Julian Burnett talks about his role in the business, key achievements and his plans for long-term and lasting digital transformation Continue Reading

Booking.com’s focus on women in tech

Travel comparison website Booking.com has partnered with two universities to offer grants to women looking to go into tech careers Continue Reading

NRF 2018: Rent the Runway – focus on data proves use case for clothing rental

Clothing retailers are not traditionally known to rent products to anyone other than celebrities, but retail service Rent the Runway is using data to prove customer demand Continue Reading

NRF 2018: Companies should take “lab approach” to innovation, says former GE exec

Organisations should use a lab-type approach to test ideas and drive innovation, according to the former vice-chair of GE, Beth Comstock, speaking at At NRF 2018 Continue Reading

Cash in hand? This cryptocurrency body implant will secure your cyber-cash stash

Is the future of secure cryptocurrency storage and payment simply "cash in hand"? Inspect a Gadget looks at how one firm's human microchip implant could help. We’ve all looked on with interest as ... Continue Reading

Business needs to reduce cyber threat to payment card data

Cardholder data is a prime target for cyber criminals, and that is only likely to increase in the coming year, according to a cloud-based secure payments firm Continue Reading

Davos: Disintegration of the internet could create economic turmoil

Politicians and business leaders will discuss the risks posed by fake news, cyber attacks, and artificial intelligence to jobs, political stability and global security, at the World Economic Forum in Davos Continue Reading

Financial savings just the beginning for CIOs who understand code quality

Businesses need to understand the quality of the code in their applications if they are to avoid unnecessary costs and glitches Continue Reading

Call for statutory regulation of police number plate cameras amid concerns over accuracy

The UK’s automatic number plate recognition database – one the largest non-military data-gathering systems – records up to 1.2 million false readings of number plates every day. It should be subject to statutory regulation, says an independent watchdog Continue Reading

Hard Brexit risks 92,000 UK science and technology jobs

Economic analysis commissioned by London mayor Sadiq Khan warns that thousands of jobs in science and technology sectors be at risk if UK crashes out of EU with no deal Continue Reading

UAE tech growth prompts firms to review internal IT security

As IT becomes more prominent in the UAE economy, more and more internal connections between people and systems are created, all of which need to be secured Continue Reading

ICO fines Carphone Warehouse £400,000

Mobile retailer hit with one of the highest fines for putting personal data at risk as UK privacy watchdog warns that more stringent data protection laws will apply from 25 May 2018 Continue Reading

Marks and Spencer eyes £30m annual cost savings from digital-first retail push

High-street retailer has fleshed out plans to put digital at the heart of its business to boost operational efficiency in response to changing consumer demands Continue Reading

Meltdown and Spectre a big deal for enterprises

Although consumers are relatively unaffected by the recently disclosed security vulnerabilities in most modern processors, enterprises need to take the threat seriously. Computer Weekly looks at how enterprise IT and security professionals should be approaching these threats Continue Reading

CES 2018: Pizza Hut to test autonomous delivery vehicle

At CES 2018, underway in Las Vegas, Pizza Hut and Toyota announce a partnership to develop an autonomous pizza delivery service Continue Reading

Cyber attacks in 2017 drive Nordic security efforts

The volume of cyber attacks last year has increased boardroom focus on security in the Nordic region Continue Reading

Blockchain’s promise goes beyond fintech

By reducing the cost of peer-to-peer data and resource transfer, blockchain can remove the need for third parties and middlemen across industries Continue Reading

Top IT priorities for Nordic CIOs in 2018

Nordic CIOs tell Computer Weekly about their intentions for the year ahead Continue Reading

Top 10 CIO interviews of 2017

IT leaders from across the UK and Europe shared their plans, strategies and best practice advice with Computer Weekly Continue Reading

Yoox Net-A-Porter Group appoints first chief data and analytics officer

Online fashion retailer Yoox Net-A-Porter Group has confirmed the appointment of its chief data and analytics officer, a new role for the firm Continue Reading

Sweden’s Stena Line sets sail for digital transformation

Ferry operator’s CTO tells Computer Weekly how the company can differentiate itself by using digital tools to make its processes more efficient Continue Reading

Top 10 enterprise IT in the Nordics stories in 2017

The Nordic region might be best known in IT circles for its startup communities – but it has much more to offer Continue Reading

Australia’s Kogan.com breaks IT silos

E-commerce company used to run separate systems across different business functions, but has implemented an SAP system to streamline operations Continue Reading

Workers should embrace robots, not fear them, says Labour deputy

Labour deputy leader to say workers need not fear robots taking their jobs, but welcome the opportunities they will bring Continue Reading

UKtech50 2017 - The most influential people in UK IT

Computer Weekly has announced the eighth annual UKtech50 – our definitive list of the movers and shakers in the UK IT sector Continue Reading

Consumer identity management a growing trend

Consumer identity and access management is a growing trend, but system choice is still challenging, according to KuppingerCole Continue Reading

Businesses need to balance user experience, privacy and security

Balancing user experience, privacy and security for the connected consumer is a key challenge for online businesses, according to KuppingerCole Continue Reading

UK IT professionals could lose out in a free trade deal between UK and India

There could be an increase in Indian IT professionals coming to work in the UK post-Brexit if a new trade deal is signed with India Continue Reading

CIO interview: Juan Perez, CIO, UPS

UPS CIO Juan Perez talks about the importance of having a “business-intimate” IT department and using technology to develop a “personal touch” Continue Reading

How fashion is turning to tech to get closer to customers

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine how the fashion world and clothing retailers are using technology to better understand customers and grow in such a competitive market. Brexit continues to dominate the conversation in the UK tech sector – we find out the hopes and fears of the industry. And we look at how to use OpenStack in a hyper-converged IT infrastructure. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

CW Benelux: Young wayward hackers could help fill Dutch IT skills gap

In this issue, read how an initiative in Rotterdam is helping young people get into the IT sector by targeting those overlooked by traditional methods. Also find out how Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is utilising open source software to create and use a multi-cloud platform with an open API, and how the Netherlands’ Rabobank has moved from tape libraries and robotic arms to a platform-based storage and retrieval system. Continue Reading

Bangalore offers the best ecosystem for digital transformation, says Economist report

Bangalore ranked as the number one location for businesses looking to access the right ecosystem to support digital transformation Continue Reading