TechTarget News - Week of Mar 22, 2020
Sun Mar 22, 2020
Cyber gangsters hit UK medical firm poised for work on coronavirus with Maze ransomware attack
The Maze ransomware group has published personal and medical details of thousands of former patients of a London-based medical research company after a failed attempt to disable the firm's computer systems
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Seek ditches pagers for cloud service in IT operations
Australian employment marketplace Seek is doing away with pagers in favour of PagerDuty’s cloud-based digital operations platform to scale up its IT operations in Asia and Australia
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus: UK mobile operators discuss sharing crowd movement data with government
Reports emerge of unprecedented cooperation between UK telcos and government to provide people-modelling data to prevent spread of coronavirus
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Singapore’s JTC taps GIS platform in Punggol Digital District
The planners behind Singapore’s Punggol Digital District are using a geographic information system to make better planning decisions and improve day-to-day operations
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Interview: Jamil Farshchi, CISO, Equifax
Equifax CISO Jamil Farshchi discusses public cloud and why it’s not something IT security professionals should be afraid of
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Chunghwa Telecom selects Nokia, Ericsson for rapid 5G build-out
Taiwanese operator taps Nordic comms giants for essential equipment in improving efficiency and user experience
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus: NHSX calls on tech sector to support Covid-19 effort
Technology sector asked to develop new ways to help the NHS manage virus outbreak and support people who are most at risk
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus: CCRC uses Microsoft Teams to consider subpostmaster appeals
Criminal Cases Review Commission to use Microsoft Teams to ensure review of subpostmaster prosecutions is held on time
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus prompts cross-industry collaboration from datacentre operators to keep UK online
TechUK positioning document reveals datacentre operators are putting their competitive differences aside to share best practice on how to keep staff safe and keep the UK online during the coronavirus outbreak
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Thousands of Netflix, Disney+ streaming accounts being stolen
Proofpoint has urged users of streaming services to be alert to cyber criminals hijacking their accounts
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Sales of peripheral devices surge as workers stay at home
Monitors, keyboards and mice are all in high demand as workers get set up for remote working to slow the spread of coronavirus
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus: Spain to use artificial intelligence to automate testing
Authorities in Spain have invested in robots to automate the testing of citizens for the Covid-19 coronavirus
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus: Kaspersky, Bitdefender make products free to NHS
Kaspersky and Bitdefender have both made various products and services available free to healthcare customers as the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic intensifies
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus: Internet capable of taking the strain but service prioritisation key
With networks offering assurances they can cope with the millions of added users working from home, experts suggest that strict management of applications and services will be pivotal
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus: Sellafield workers ordered to stay home as ‘controlled shutdown’ of site accelerates
Staff email warns that “decisions” made now in response to coronavirus pandemic could have far-reaching consequences for ongoing efforts to decommission former nuclear power plant
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus: Post Office postpones subpostmaster compensation scheme amid Covid-19 crisis
Scheme to compensate subpostmasters who suffered because of computer errors in the Post Office’s Horizon system is delayed
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Pandemic will delay, cancel ERP deployments and test vendors
The pandemic will challenge ERP deployments in some unique ways. Travel restrictions are shutting down access to the people needed to plan and implement projects, and remote working may create a hurdle.
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Companies bolster endpoint data protection for remote work
While plenty of teleworking tools exist to help the increase in people working at home due to COVID-19, managing and protecting proliferating endpoint data can alter IT pros' jobs.
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus: uncertainty for online retailers as some slump and others surge
Online retailers face uncertainty as the Covid-19 coronavirus forces change in consumer shopping habits
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus puts brakes on MSP acquisitions
The pandemic is expected to slow the once blistering pace of managed services transactions, but larger IT services firms such as Accenture have the wherewithal to pursue deals.
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Oracle ships Java 14 with new preview, productivity features
With Java 14, Oracle delivers features to the Java language and platform that enhance the productivity of developers building new enterprise applications.
Mon Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus pandemic ups the IT contract negotiation game
IT contract negotiation has always been a difficult dance between customers and vendors, but the coronavirus pandemic means there are new rules to navigate on both sides.
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Singapore government to open source contact-tracing protocol
Singapore’s Government Technology Agency is contributing the source codes of the BlueTrace protocol that powers its contact-tracing app
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Coronavirus: Global VPN deployments rocket since 11 March
Business virtual private network uptake has taken off over the past 10 days as global workforces become vastly more distributed
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Nokia, LG Uplus build fully automated 5G IP transport network in Korea
Finnish comms firm wins another Asian contract with Korean operator to improve speed of 5G service deployment
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Coronavirus: SK Telecom gives free assistance to police agency with location data analysis
Korean telco’s big data analysis will be deployed to mitigate Covid-19 spread in the Gyeongbuk region
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Legacy AV defenceless against onslaught of evasive malware
More than two-thirds of malware detected by WatchGuard in the last three months of 2019 was able to evade signature-based antivirus products, rendering them effectively useless in most instances
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Tekya auto-clicker malware exploits kids’ Android apps
Google has removed multiple apps for children that were found to contain Tekya auto-clicker malware
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Coronavirus: Fintechs create Covid Credit to help self-employed prove income loss
Financial technology professionals have created a tool that will support self-employed people claiming financial relief from the government during the Covid-19 pandemic
Tue Mar 24, 2020
ETSI unveils augmented reality framework
Industry specification group on augmented reality develops new specification to enable multi-supplier ecosystem for industry and consumers
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Hyperscale cloud firms ‘well-insulated from coronavirus crisis’, claims Synergy Research
With businesses and consumers increasingly turning to online and cloud-based services to access work and leisure resources, Synergy Research predicts the hyperscale datacentre operators should be well-positioned to “ride out” the coronavirus crisis
Tue Mar 24, 2020
New FalconStor StorSafe uses containers to archive backups
FalconStor's new StorSafe product combines container, erasure coding and data reduction to archive backups and make them portable across cloud sites.
Tue Mar 24, 2020
JetStream DR on Cloudian offers MSPs lower-cost DRaaS
Disaster recovery meets object storage in a new DR-as-a-service offering. Managed service provider Enterprise Networking Solutions Inc. has deployed the product with customers.
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Russia presses ahead with developing 5G, but allocation of frequencies needs to be resolved first
Russian mobile operators are pooling their resources to help them overcome the technical challenges of creating 5G networks
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Fake antivirus site promises coronavirus protection, delivers trojan
Researchers at Malwarebytes have warned of an increasing volume of scam sites exploiting the Covid-19 coronavirus
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Secure remote access offering gains ground among MSPs
Todyl's Secure Global Network, available free for 30 days, aims to help managed service providers protect customers' home-based employees amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Coronavirus: Contactless spending limit increased to fight pandemic
Banking and financial services trade body UK Finance to increase spending limit for contactless payments to £45 from the start of April
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Workplace misconduct platform reports rise in coronavirus-related racial discrimination
More people are experiencing racial discrimination at work since the spread of Covid-19
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Norwegian banking app gives access to other banks’ accounts
Banking customers can access and make payments from their other bank accounts using the DNB Mobile Bank app
Tue Mar 24, 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Coronavirus prompts calls for fairer deal for self-employed IT workers
ContractorCalculator CEO Dave Chaplin says the deferral of the IR35 reforms should be upgraded to a cancellation, as the response of employers to coronavirus highlights glaring inequalities between treatment of inside IR35 contractors and employees
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Huge queues for Universal Credit online applications due to coronavirus surge
Online queues in the tens of thousands are hindering emergency applications for Universal Credit, with the Gov.uk Verify identity verification system becoming a particular bottleneck
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Cisco security GM discusses plan for infosec domination
At RSA Conference 2020, Gee Rittenhouse, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco's security group, talks about the company's strategy to reshape the infosec industry.
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Zendesk Relater primes customers for remote call center work
Zendesk focuses on fledgling Sunshine and Sell CRM platforms, as well as helping its well-established customer service base switch to remote call center work.
Tue Mar 24, 2020
Canon breach exposes General Electric employee data
Canon Business Process Services was breached last month, according to an announcement by General Electric, which used Canon for employee document processing.
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Australia inks digital economy pact with Singapore
Australia’s digital economy agreement with Singapore will pave the way for data transfers and other digital trade opportunities
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Amdocs launches HoMeOS and becomes Veego strategic partner and investor
Leading provider of communications and media software launches home broadband management and makes strategic investment in Israeli AI startup
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Viavi upgrades platform tools to manage remote network performance
Redesigned Observer platform achieves 60Gbps packet capture rate and has beefed up security to deal with increased challenges
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Coronavirus takes toll on IT spending in Asia
The economic fallout from the Covid-19 outbreak is expected to slash the growth rate of the region’s IT industry to just 1.2% this year
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Global spend on enterprise datacentre kit and private clouds down 1% in 2019
Market tracker data from Synergy Research Group reveals continued decline in spending on private datacentres, while investments in kit destined for use in public cloud facilities continues to soar
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Meeting reviewing subpostmaster applications to appeal criminal prosecutions moves into second day
The Criminal Cases Review Commission has extended a meeting considering subpostmaster applications to appeal criminal convictions resulting from a faulty Post Office IT system
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Computacenter buying and Tech Data fighting in France
There is plenty going on over the other side of the Channel at the moment as Computacenter looks to expand and Tech Data and Ingram counter fines dished out by the French authorities
Wed Mar 25, 2020
DCMS creates datacentre-focused resiliency team to keep UK online during coronavirus outbreak
Tech trade body TechUK reveals further details of the work going on behind the scenes at government level to ensure datacentre operators have access to the resources they need to cope with the surge in businesses and consumers accessing online services
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Brown to step down at Softcat as Hockin emerges at Arcserve
Softcat managing director announces his intention to step down at the end of the reseller’s current fiscal year
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Coronavirus: UK comms regulator launches national campaign to assist home workers
Ofcom, with the backing of government, broadband and mobile industries, launches guide for teleworkers to get the most from connections
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Coronavirus: Amazon and eBay failing to stop profiteers, says Which?
Despite promises by both Amazon Marketplace and eBay to crack down on coronavirus-profiteering, a Which? investigation has found plenty of sellers charging inflated prices for goods such as hand sanitiser
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Smartbox move to Nutanix HCI a catalyst for IT team revamp
Gift supplier reorganises IT team structures as Nutanix hyper-converged infrastructure helps sweep away legacy architecture for hybrid cloud and containerised operations
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Nutanix Objects 2.0 lays groundwork for hybrid cloud
The latest Nutanix Objects update gives users higher capacity per namespace, but experts say the endgame is flexibility between the data center and the cloud.
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Coronavirus: Chatbot to help Estonians cope during pandemic
Estonian government is using a chatbot developed by local startups to answer the many questions its citizens have about Covid-19
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Ericsson wins exclusive 5G contract with Cosmote Greece
Swedish comms firm tapped for 5G radio access network to strengthen Greek provider’s existing networks and boost network quality, capacity, speed and operational efficiency
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Almost half of UK businesses suffered a cyber attack in past year
Latest government statistics reveal the scale of the cyber security challenge facing UK plc, but reveals some cause for optimism
Wed Mar 25, 2020
AWS hits out at narrow scope of DoD’s planned re-evaluation of JEDI cloud contract
Details of Amazon’s response to the US Department of Defense’s planned re-evaluation of the controversial 10-year, $10bn JEDI cloud contract have emerged
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Virtual hiring, avoiding layoffs part of HR's pandemic response
In the face of a pandemic, many firms are trying to avoid layoffs and even hire. They are using virtual tools, including testing systems called virtual job tryouts, to select their potential new hires
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Coronavirus: Virgin finds new data trends as it creates 500 contact centre jobs
Cable network provider issues assurance on the resilience of its infrastructure, which is under unprecedented strain from domestic users, and beefs up service staffing
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Xerox makes double swoop for Altodigital and ITEC Connect
Xerox continues its strategy of adding managed services muscle by buying partners in the UK
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Everbridge Critical Event Management tailored for COVID-19
The coronavirus requires a massive response. Emergency communications and crisis management specialist Everbridge seeks to provide critical information for employee protection.
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Kitchenware brand Tupperware is ignoring hacked website
Website has been hacked in a targeted cyber attack, and the dangerous vulnerability has not been addressed
Wed Mar 25, 2020
HashiCorp Nomad vs. Kubernetes matchup intensifies with 0.11
HashiCorp Nomad may not overtake Kubernetes but could capture broader enterprise attention with container-like orchestration features for legacy apps in VMs.
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Tech giants aim supercomputers, clouds at finding a COVID-19 cure
The new COVID-19 HPC consortium comprised of tech giants, national labs and academia are using supercomputers and clouds to speed research to identify a cure.
Wed Mar 25, 2020
Logitech webcams in short supply amid coronavirus pandemic
Logitech webcams and other cheap work-at-home devices are largely sold-out or on back order worldwide amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Wed Mar 25, 2020
China's APT41 attacks Citrix ADC flaws in cyberespionage campaign
A dual cyberespionage and cybercrime group known as APT41 exploited vulnerabilities in Citrix NetScaler/ADC and other products in an extensive, global threat campaign.
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Developed APAC states most exposed to cyber risks
Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand have the highest exposure to cyber risks, but they are also the most prepared to deal with cyber attacks, study finds
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Coronavirus: Openreach to restrict engineers’ home visits
BT’s national broadband provision division announces that it is to cut down on home visits throughout the UK and focus only on national infrastructure, essential public services and vulnerable customers
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Coronavirus: Be alert to rogue mobile apps exploiting outbreak
Well-meaning developers are beginning to offer medical apps to monitor coronavirus symptoms and provide information on the pandemic. Opportunists and cyber criminals are not far behind them
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Subpostmaster prosecutions to be considered by Court of Appeal for miscarriages of justice
The Criminal Cases Review Commission is referring 39 subpostmaster prosecutions to the Court of Appeal to review for possible miscarriages of justice, with further analysis on 22 more cases ongoing
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Nordic fintechs urge financial literacy to be taken seriously before it’s too late
Fintechs in the Nordic region hope to prevent more adults getting into financial difficulty through apps that educate people about managing their finances at an early age
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Tupperware fixes hacked site, but questions remain over response
Kitchenware brand removes active digital credit card skimmer from its website and insists it takes security seriously despite ignoring repeated attempts to contact it
Thu Mar 26, 2020
HP Inc warns of M&A uncertainty due to coronavirus
Company writes to shareholders in an attempt to thwart Xerox’s ongoing acquisition bid and its plan to oust the existing board
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Exclusive Networks delivers growth and increases services revenues
Distributor shares revenue performance numbers for 2019 and outlines plans to provide support for partners coping with coronavirus
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Security resellers urged to help users counter Covid-19 phishing scams
Security specialists have been alerted to a significant rise in scams that aim to trick users into sharing passwords and financial information
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Coronavirus: Mobile comms finds its voice as usage patterns evolve
UK operators declare readiness of mobile networks as they enter uncharted water with millions of users displaced from offices during the working day
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Priority Software mobile apps open ERP systems
Priority Software's mobile apps and Mobile App Generator improve access to its ERP systems and improve productivity for processes like inventory management and sales operations.
Thu Mar 26, 2020
AI in procurement creates searchable, sorted data
Canadian startup Tealbook uses NLP and machine learning to automatically create sorted and searchable supplier data, enabling its customers to spend less time looking for data and more time using it.
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Coronavirus: What are the latest free cyber security offers?
We round up the latest free offers on cyber security products and services being made available during the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis
Thu Mar 26, 2020
COVID-19 effect on analytics software development an unknown
With COVID-19 forcing software engineers to work remotely rather than together in teams, they'll need to find new ways of collaborating in order to keep up the pace of innovation.
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Kansas City Royals spin up cloud contact center
The Kansas City Royals closed its offices, but a telephony switch helped the call center address ticket holders' anxieties over baseball games affected by coronavirus shutdown.
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Microsoft Azure capacity woes don't signal the worst
Microsoft Azure experienced capacity issues in Europe, with some users unable to spin up VMs. The company is taking 'proactive steps' for the future.
Thu Mar 26, 2020
U-turn in network market forecast amid coronavirus pandemic
IDC predicts the global market for switches and wireless LAN products will fall in 2020, with revenues from switches below last year and wireless LAN sales rising less than 1%.
Thu Mar 26, 2020
Ascend boosts enterprise data governance with data lineage
The new capabilities of Ascend Govern bring data lineage and enterprise data governance as well as the ability to try and figure out the financial cost of data efforts.
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Huawei to boost Kunpeng ecosystem in cloud play
Chinese tech giant will shell out $200m this year to build an ecosystem around its Arm-based processor to bolster its position in the cloud computing market
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Nokia claims 5G capacity benchmark, enters first phase of 5G project at Port of Zeebrugge
Flurry of 5G-related activity continues with raft of 5G patents and 5G-ready private wireless connectivity for partner ecosystem to accelerate IoT-based innovation
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Coronavirus: IT contractors ‘left stranded’ by exclusion from support for self-employed
IT contractors who provide services through their own limited companies will not be able to access government scheme to support self-employed through coronavirus outbreak
Fri Mar 27, 2020
NHS rolls out video consultations at GPs to support lockdown
Video consultation service aims to reduce face-to-face contact to protect patients and reduce infection, as well as caring for people who are mostly staying at home
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Crown Commercial Service advises on remote working tech
Public sector organisations want to understand their options to support their workforce during the Covid-19 crisis
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Coronavirus: Channel braces for challenging second quarter
There are growing signs that it is getting harder for partners and vendors to predict what will come next
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Lorca calls on security scaleups to tackle coronavirus challenge
Lorca innovation programme has launched an open call for its next cohort of cyber security scaleups, with a timely focus on coronavirus challenges
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Microsoft targets 5G arena with Affirmed Networks acquisition
IT giant turns sights on telecoms opportunities, bringing expertise of virtualised, cloud-native network software provider into Azure fold
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Coronavirus: Zoom accelerates away as office workers make video calls
The Covid-19 pandemic has required people to change their working habits, and many are routinely using conferencing tools
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Insurance firm Chubb may be latest Maze ransomware victim
Maze ransomware group claims to have stolen personal data from the systems of cyber security insurance firm Chubb
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Coronavirus: Derbyshire Police deploy drones to enforce social distancing rules
Police forces across the UK are using technology to exercise new emergency powers granted by the government this week as part of its coronavirus response
Fri Mar 27, 2020
IR35 reforms: Chancellor slammed for dig at self-employed tax habits during coronavirus briefing
Rishi Sunak under fire for making a veiled reference to self-employed people needing to pay their “fair share of tax” during the government’s daily coronavirus update
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Coronavirus: Smartphone production to plummet 20%, over $25bn lost in roaming revenue
Two studies reveal the huge hit on the mobile device and service industry that is likely to be caused by the Covid-19 outbreak
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Farmers Insurance piloting human-like VR training
VR training has become a best practice at Farmers Insurance Exchange. Its claims adjusters are being exposed to more scenarios and learning how to do their jobs faster with the help of VR.
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Coronavirus driving sales of remote working products
Sales of some products have gone through the roof, according to numbers from Context, as countries across Europe adapt to a life of home working
Fri Mar 27, 2020
How subpostmasters made legal history with biggest referral of potential miscarriages of justice
Subpostmasters seeking redress of prosecutions at the hands of an IT system force the biggest ever UK referral of cases of potential miscarriages of justice to the Court of Appeal
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Businesses rethink conference room upgrades amid coronavirus
Conference room upgrades are largely on hold for now. Tech buyers say the coronavirus outbreak will change their priorities once employees return to the office.
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Cyberinsurance carrier Chubb investigating possible data breach
Insurance giant Chubb confirmed it is investigating an incident that may involve the Maze ransomware group, which claims to have stolen sensitive data from the company.
Fri Mar 27, 2020
MSP market may thrive in a downward economy
The managed services industry could further expand if the U.S. faces another major economic downturn, according to the CEO of MSP software firm NinjaRMM; more news from the week.
Fri Mar 27, 2020
Remote work tools go from '0 to 100' in Corona
This city has turned to technology -- like Citrix virtual desktops -- to maintain services in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. CIO Chris McMasters discusses the lessons already learned.
Fri Mar 27, 2020
SAS analytics platform benefiting from AI investment
Fueled by SAS' investment in AI and augmented intelligence features, the long-established vendor strengthened its BI platform with a host of new features and capabilities over the past year.
Fri Mar 27, 2020
iPad Pro news a boon for enterprise users
Apple announced updates to its iPad Pro, including mouse support, but analysts do not believe the changes will lead to widespread adoption.