Europe and Middle East information technology (IT)
Read the latest European and Middle East information technology (IT) news and articles covering IT management topics, including information security, data storage, networking, data centre, cloud computing, mobile applications, virtualisation, big data and more.
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News
22 May 2024
Dutch employers should discuss using algorithms in managing staff
Dutch organisations must engage in open discussions with employees about the use of algorithms and data in managing staff Continue Reading
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Feature
22 May 2024
Neom: The tip of the tech iceberg in the Saudi desert
What is known about plans for Saudi Arabian smart city Neom could be just the tip of the iceberg Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2024
Maria 01 rolls out ambitious pan-Europe startup plan
Ten-year plan will see pan-Nordic tech startup ecosystem based in Finnish capital Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2024
Norway bolsters digital transformation drive
Norway’s government backs digital transformation with major capital investment this year Continue Reading
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News
08 May 2024
Germany: European Court of Justice ruling on EncroChat could lead to new legal challenges
A ruling by the European Court of Justice could prompt legal challenges in EncroChat prosecutions in Germany and other EU states Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2024
French MSP saves 30% on cloud costs as it deploys Cubbit
Cubbit’s distributed object storage turns on-site capacity into a sovereign and secure cloud. CloudReso.com uses it to supply its customers and save on fees from big cloud providers Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Apr 2024
Austrian AI: from academia to commercial success and beyond
Austria has established itself as a European frontrunner when it comes to artificial intelligence exploration and, importantly, deployment Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2024
Interview: IoT enables Dutch-French company to provide bicycle and scooter rental
Dott’s connected system and mobile app allow users to hire vehicles and ensure safe and compliant rides in 40 cities across Europe and Israel Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2024
Crime agency criticises Meta as European police chiefs call for curbs on end-to-end encryption
Law enforcement agencies step up demands for ‘lawful access’ to encrypted communications Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2024
International police operation infiltrates LabHost phishing website used by thousands of criminals
The Metropolitan Police working with international police forces have shut down LabHost, a phishing-as-a-service website that has claimed 70,000 victims in the UK Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2024
Swedish company first to use STMicroelectronics chips
Powerful new processors help power next-generation industrial human machine interfaces, starting in the Nordics Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2024
Europol offers law enforcement agencies data on Europe’s most threatening crime networks
Europol has collected and analysed data from over 40 countries to identify 800 most threatening criminal networks operating in Europe in what it describes as a unique dataset for law enforcemnt Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2024
Changes needed for SOCs and CSIRTs, claims Dutch research institute
Cyber security specialists need a game-changer to keep up with their adversaries, who increasingly use automation and AI for their attacks Continue Reading
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News
02 Apr 2024
Finnish industrial groups launch AI and robotics ventures
Industrial companies across a broad range of sectors in Finland are applying artificial intelligence to their operation Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2024
Dutch organisations vulnerable to deepfake fraud
With the information many employees share on social media, Dutch companies are especially vulnerable to a new form of fraud Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2024
Vinnova launches National Digital Advancement project
Swedish state innovation initiative invests in a network of regional research and development centres 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
Dutch organisations start building a federated European cloud
The ‘European cloud services in an open federated ecosystem’ (ECOFED) project is co-funded by the Dutch government and will run from 2024 to 2027 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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Feature
26 Feb 2024
Netherlands formulates vision to address risks of GenAI
There are numerous risks and challenges associated with generative AI – which is why the Dutch government has formulated a vision document for its responsible and safe use in the Netherlands Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Feb 2024
Mobile’s next generation: The 6G-based hyper-connected future of living and work
We continue our look at the work in the field of 6G communications in the Finnish city of Oulu, most notably at its university, and see what products and services the new network will support Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Feb 2024
Mobile’s next generation: 6G development finds its north star
The 6G industry and technology ecosystem is truly global. Yet if a single country could be singled out as a leader, then it could be argued that this would be Finland, in particular thanks to the city of Oulu Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2024
Dutch Supreme Court approves use of EncroChat evidence
Defence lawyers plan appeal to European Court of Human Rights after Supreme Court upholds a conviction based on intercepted messages from the EncroChat encrypted phone network Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Feb 2024
The rising prominence of hybrid cloud in the Nordics
Many Nordic organisations have opted for hybrid cloud environments, subscribing to the newest services without giving up what they already have. Best practices are beginning to emerge for managing the heterogenous environment Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2024
Europe carves out niche in quantum computing
As the US, China and Europe accelerate investment in quantum computing, Europe is beginning to develop its own unique position in the fledgling global ecosystem Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2024
Executive alleged to be behind EncroChat encrypted phone network arrested
A businessman allegedly behind EncroChat, an encrypted phone network that was used by organised crime groups, has been extradited from the Dominican Republic to France Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2024
Dozens of surveillance companies are supplying spyware to governments, says Google
Google’s Threat Analysis Group has identified 40 companies involved in selling and supplying security exploits and spyware services to governments Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2024
How Iranian cyber ops pivoted to target Israel after 7 October attacks
Microsoft has shared new intelligence on how Iranian government-aligned threat actors have turned their fire on Israel over the past four months Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2024
UK and France push for international agreement on spyware
The UK and France are hosting diplomats, big tech companies and civil society groups, in a two-day conference in London targeting the proliferation of spyware tools and ‘hackers for hire’ Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2024
Russian IT sector still under serious pressure
Russian IT sector faces challenges on multiple fronts as Western sanctions widen Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2024
Dutch companies not ready for AI
Many Dutch organisations are not ready to start working with AI, according to the Cisco AI Readiness Index Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2024
Upgraded Arabic large language model is twice as big
Techniques that were used to double the power of what was already the largest LLM for Arabic can now be applied to other languages whose native speakers do not yet have access to AI Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2024
Chat control: Tech companies warn ministers over EU encryption plans
Tech companies have written to EU ministers to urge them to back the European Parliament, rather than the European Commission, over proposed regulations to police child abuse Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jan 2024
Helsinki: The trailblazing smart city
Helsinki has transitioned from modelling the best of smart city innovation to becoming a fully-fledged smart city Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2024
Santander bank added 4,500 tech staff last year
Santander added thousands of IT staff to its global operation last year, as part of its digital transformation Continue Reading
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News
08 Jan 2024
Inside the Met Police’s investigation into EncroChat crime gangs
The Met’s senior investigating officer responsible for investigating criminals using the EncroChat encrypted phone network tells the inside story of the UK’s biggest organised crime bust in a BBC podcast series released this week Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2024
Dutch working to promote cooperation in Europe to keep internet safe
A Dutch cooperative approach offers national and international cooperation opportunities for ISPs to guard against DDoS attacks, lawful interception and detect abuse in networks Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2024
Artificial intelligence to the front in Sweden’s National Technology Strategy
Sweden focuses in on artificial intelligence in its latest far-reaching national IT strategy Continue Reading
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News
22 Dec 2023
Top 10 Middle East stories of 2023
Middle Eastern countries are on digital journeys, with many pinning their futures on expertise in advanced technologies Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2023
Top 10 Benelux stories of 2023
The Benelux region is researching some of the latest digital technologies of the future with efforts to ensure the region keeps pace in quantum computing and artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2023
Top 10 Nordic stories of 2023
Known for its advances in digital technology, the Nordic region continues to pioneer the startup sector while making serious waves in Quantum computing and artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2023
Nordic governments join forces to protect data transfers
Nordic countries deepen their cooperation over cyber security amid heightened threat from neighbouring Russia Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2023
Fancy Bear targets Nato entities via critical Outlook flaw
A vulnerability patched in March has likely been exploited by the Russian state actor Fancy Bear, for over two years, according to the latest intelligence Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2023
Finnish IT industry talent fears amid government restrictions
Finnish businesses concerned over the immigration plans of the country’s right-wing government Continue Reading
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E-Zine
07 Dec 2023
CW EMEA: Prepare for cyber war
When the war between Hamas and Israel began in October, cyber security professionals and major government and private organisations braced for an inevitable accompanying online war. In this issue of CW EMEA, we outline cyber war, patterns of threat activity, and find out what security teams can do to protect their organisations. We also look at Finland’s advances in quantum computing, how Belgian researchers have developed technology to help datacentres process data faster, and the secrets of KPN’s successful business transformation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Dec 2023
UAE university vies for international recognition in AI education and research
The UAE is betting heavily on its new AI university to develop local talent and boost the country into a position of thought leadership Continue Reading
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News
04 Dec 2023
Atos selected for UEFA Euro 2024 IT contract
IT services company Atos will deliver on-site and remote IT services for next year’s international football event in Germany Continue Reading
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Opinion
24 Nov 2023
DORA raises the stakes for cloud use in financial services
The EU's DORA regulations will raise the stakes for cloud in financial services but resilience is more than just a tech issue, says NetApp's Steve Rackham Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2023
Defence lawyers seek appeal of tribunal ruling on police EncroChat cryptophone hack
Defence lawyers are seeking leave to appeal against a tribunal ruling that found the National Crime Agency had lawfully obtained warrants to access messages from 9,000 cryptophones used in the UK Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Nov 2023
Luxembourg-based cloud provider aims to transform the AI landscape in Europe
Gcore runs cloud services worldwide, which gives it a front-row seat for observing global computing trends, and now the company expects to lead one of the major trends in Europe Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2023
Encrypted mail service Tuta says it was wrongly accused of being a front for intelligence services
German encrypted email service Tuta, formerly known as Tutanota, has denied claims by a former Canadian police intelligence officer accused of passing secrets to criminals that it was compromised by intelligence services Continue Reading
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E-Zine
09 Nov 2023
Heineken lets the data flow
In this month’s CW EMEA ezine, we find out about Heineken’s mission to make the most out of the data it holds through an enterprise-wide data ecosystem. We also look at how the UK has turned its back on the German government-funded Gaia-X data platform, why cyber experts are urging the EU to rethink vulnerability disclosure plans, and how the IT industry is responding to the software developer skills shortfall. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2023
AI Summit not the place for human rights, says French finance minister
Despite commitments at the UK’s AI Safety Summit to respect and protect human rights, the French finance minister said it was not the right forum to discuss signatories' human rights records Continue Reading
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News
06 Nov 2023
Netherlands starts building its own AI language model
Dutch government allocates €13.5m to develop an open artificial intelligence language model according to national values and guidelines. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2023
EU digital ID reforms should be ‘actively resisted’, say experts
Over 300 cyber security experts have called for the EU to rethink its proposals for eIDAS digital identity reforms, saying some of the provisions risk damaging user privacy and security Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2023
AI Summit: 28 governments and EU agree to safe AI development
In a joint communique at the UK government’s AI Safety Summit, all participating governments agreed to deepen their cooperation around the risks associated with artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Oct 2023
The world's most advanced Arabic LLM is now available on open source
On 30 August 2023, Abu Dhabi-based Inception, a subsidiary of G42, announced the release of an Arabic large language model to open source Continue Reading
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News
27 Oct 2023
Germany: European Court opinion kicks questions over EncroChat back to national courts
Germany lawfully obtained data on German EncroChat users from France, but whether the evidence is legally admissible is a matter for national courts Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Oct 2023
Finland shows off its new 20-qubit quantum computer
Anybody who scoffs at Finland’s lofty ambitions in the field of quantum computing should remember that not only is the country home to one of Europe's most successful companies (Nokia), but it also houses Europe’s most powerful supercomputer (LUMI). Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2023
Collaboration paramount in KPN’s successful business transformation
KPN tells Oracle CloudWorld 2023 how it transformed when its legacy systems became obstacles to supporting its customers on their digital journeys Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2023
Belgian researchers raise speed limit in European datacentres
Researchers have developed a prototype of an optical receiver that will help datacentres process data at a much higher rate Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2023
What are the cyber risks from the latest Middle Eastern conflict?
The outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel in October 2023 has seen a wide variety of accompanying cyber attacks from hacktivists and other groups. We look at the risks to organisations Continue Reading
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News
17 Oct 2023
Hacktivist attacks against Israeli websites mirror attacks following Russian invasion of Ukraine
Hacktivists supporting Gaza and Palestine have launched hundreds of website defacement attacks against Israeli websites, mirroring the pattern of attacks that occurred after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Continue Reading
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News
13 Oct 2023
UAE makes significant contribution to AI computing power
UAE technology holding company G42 recently began a partnership with US-based Cerebras Systems to build a cluster of supercomputers and a set of accompanying technologies that will speed up the training process for large language models Continue Reading
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E-Zine
13 Oct 2023
CW EMEA: Prepare for AI explosion
In this month’s CW EMEA, we look at generative artificial intelligence, which Accenture claims is the next big thing in enterprise IT. The IT services giant says GenAI will transform 40% of all working hours – and it is putting its money where its mouth is with plans to invest $3bn in AI and create 40,000 AI-focused roles. Part of the huge investment has already been assigned to the creation of an AI and generative AI lab in Brussels focused on the public sector in Europe. We also look at a Deutsche Telekom-led consortium’s demo of multi-supplier non-real-time RAN optimisation, how last month’s Ryder Cup tested out technology to improve how fans digitally consume the event, and find out how Zurich Insurance has cut the time it takes to complete development of ServiceNow applications. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
10 Oct 2023
Teeing up tech at the Ryder Cup
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we go behind the scenes at golf’s Ryder Cup to see the tech firsts introduced to improve the fan experience. UK tech leaders explain why they feel ‘betrayed’ by the government’s net-zero policy changes. And we examine the governance challenges behind immerse technologies such as VR and the metaverse. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
04 Oct 2023
UK emphasises EU split by kicking digital trade scheme into long grass
Former Gaia-X CEO talks exclusively to Computer Weekly about UK inertia on cross-border data tech Continue Reading
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News
03 Oct 2023
Top science journal faced secret attacks from Covid conspiracy theory group
A conspiratorial group of extreme Brexit lobbyists mounted an extraordinary campaign against one of the world’s most prestigious science journals – part of a series of joint investigations between Byline Times and Computer Weekly Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2023
Strasbourg court condemns Turkey for jailing teacher for using ByLock encrypted messaging app
The case is expected to have implications for the use of digital evidence in prosecutions against users of other encrypted phone apps Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Sep 2023
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is a legislative act that the European Union adopted to address the growing amounts of e-waste that come from electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) at the end of its life. Continue Reading
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News
15 Sep 2023
TikTok fined €345m under GDPR for failing to protect children’s privacy
Data protection regulators warn social media companies to take all necessary measures to protect children’s privacy Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Sep 2023
CIO interview: Petra Tesch, Vizrt
Straight-talking when it comes to getting her messages across to the wider company, Vizrt CIO Petra Tesch revels in transformation and communication Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2023
GCHQ breached privacy rights of IT professional and security researcher, human rights court rules
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg finds UK intelligence services breached the privacy rights of two overseas nationals – an IT professional and a security researcher Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2023
Banks less focused on metaverse technology than last year
Senior banking executives have reduced their focus on investigating metaverse technology in the past 12 months Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
European enterprises to spend more on generative IT to close gap on US
European organisations are upping their spending on generative AI innovation, but face challenges recruiting the right people to support this Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
European fintech investment plummets, but more sustainable future lies ahead
Investment in European fintechs has seen a dramatic drop, but a more sustainable sector will result from investment discipline Continue Reading
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News
07 Sep 2023
Finnish government to bolster spending on cyber-AI defences
Finland’s government will increase spending on cyber security amid heightened threats from artificial intelligence-based attacks Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Sep 2023
Interview: Ashish Gupta, head of EMEA, HCLTech
It’s not just enterprises that changed their operating models during and after Covid, but also the suppliers that took them on the journey, HCLTech Europe’s head explains Continue Reading
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News
06 Sep 2023
Saudi Arabian fintech gets Mastercard boost
Saudi-based fintechs could soon benefit from Mastercard's extensive payments network Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2023
Ryder Cup testbed to feature tech firsts in Rome
This year’s Ryder Cup will test out technology to improve how fans digitally consume the event while reducing the workload on IT teams Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2023
Sandworm attacks Ukraine with Infamous Chisel malware
The UK and its allies have attributed a novel malware campaign against Ukrainian state targets to the Russian intelligence-backed Sandworm APT Continue Reading
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News
18 Aug 2023
Europe’s fastest supercomputer trains large language models in Finland
Much of the innovation in natural language processing comes from large enterprises in the US, resulting in proprietary technology with a bias towards English. One consortium in Finland decided to change the game Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2023
Accenture’s Brussels AI lab to focus on European public sector and health
Accenture will use its Brussels AI lab to test AI and generative AI's application in the European public sector Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Aug 2023
CTO interview: Gavin Rea, Gulf Bridge International
GBI ensures service continuity of submarine cable networks, which bring high-speed internet to the Gulf states, supporting the region’s ambitious plans to be one of the world’s leading poles for technological innovation Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Aug 2023
CW EMEA: Aalto University – where ideas take off
In this issue of CW EMEA, we look at the startup scene in Finland. Helsinki’s status as a prominent tech breeding ground is well established, with an alumnus contingent that includes Rovio, Supercell, ICEYE and the world-renowned Slush event. Every startup needs a starting place, however, and for many Finnish innovators, their stories began at Aalto University. We also look at how the Gulf region is seeing some of the heaviest investments in the latest technology as countries diversify their economies to reduce reliance on oil. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
02 Aug 2023
Cubbit offers cut-price cloud with DS3 distributed storage
Cubbit’s DS3 offers cloud at up to 20% the cost of the main providers via on-premise software that builds a cloud with other users and targets unstructured data use cases such as backup Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Jul 2023
NATO countries must coordinate their cyber forces to combat the Russian threat
The top item on the agenda at the Vilnius NATO Summit this month was the revamping the alliance’s defences. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Jul 2023
Handbook helps Dutch organisations migrate to quantum-safe communication
Organisations must start implementing new cryptography standards – as migration is a lengthy process Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2023
NATO membership to drive Nordic cyber security sector growth
The Nordic cyber security sector will see increasing demand as Finland and Sweden joint NATO Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2023
Traditional IT outsourcing rockets as Europe’s businesses cut costs
Overall spending on IT services is up in European countries despite continued reduction in investments in cloud-based contracts Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2023
CaixaBank adds hundreds more IT professionals to support digital transformation
CaixaBank is recruiting 200 more IT professionals in Spain to support its ongoing digital transformation Continue Reading
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E-Zine
13 Jul 2023
CW EMEA: Can we trust AI?
Artificial intelligence and the opportunities and dangers it introduces into society has been a hotly debated subject in tech circles for many years, but today with the increased use of platforms such as ChatGPT, these debates include a wider section of the public. The fact that schoolchildren are even asking ChatGPT for help with their homework brings home the importance of these debates and the responses to them by national policy-makers. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2023
Forensic Institute provides Hansken viewing method for Dutch lawyers
Dutch lawyers can now view crypto communication in criminal cases from their own workplace via digital search engine Hansken. Previously, this had to be done at an external location Continue Reading
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News
11 Jul 2023
EU formally grants data adequacy to US
The European Commission has formally granted the US data adequacy, allowing companies and organisations to freely transfer personal data across the Atlantic via the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. But privacy activist Max Schrems has already committed to legally challenging the decision Continue Reading
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News
11 Jul 2023
Finland’s VTT partners Nokia on data market
Finish state’s involvement in Nokia project will add weight and capital to work on creating a market for data Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jul 2023
Norwegian data privacy experts sound alarm over generative AI
Hundreds of millions of people embrace generative artificial intelligence, blissfully ignorant of what it’s doing to data privacy. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jul 2023
Germany: European Court of Justice hears arguments on lawfulness of EncroChat cryptophone evidence
The European Court of Justice will decide whether the collection and sharing of data intercepted by law enforcement from EncroChat crypto phone network is compatible with European law Continue Reading
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News
04 Jul 2023
EU judgment sinks Meta’s argument for targeted ads
The EU Court of Justice has issued a significant judgment against Meta, ruling that national anti-trust bodies can investigate GDPR breaches, disrupting the platform’s entire basis for carrying out targeted advertising Continue Reading
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News
03 Jul 2023
BBVA launches tech job portal as it continues to add talent
Spanish bank BBVA ramps up its tech recruitment strategy with new online portal and target of 2,600 more people Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2023
The Finnish Food Authority uses AI to accelerate research
Researchers have reduced the time taken to get critical insights into potential public health crises and address issues in real-time, through artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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News
27 Jun 2023
Three years on, EncroChat cryptophone hack nets 6,500 arrests and seizures of €900m
French and Dutch prosecutors say three years after they infiltrated the EncroChat cryptophone network in a novel hacking operation, Europe’s courts are opening the way for more collaboration and data sharing between law enforcement agencies Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2023
Software spending grows fastest as finance firms spend $652bn on tech in 2023
Banks and investment firms are increasing their spending on IT despite gloomy economic outlook, but priorities have changed Continue Reading