Not so long ago, the public cloud boom was in full swing and businesses were moving workloads in numbers thanks to its reputation for low costs and scalability. Today, many businesses have reassessed the size or scope of their public cloud investment. While the benefits of the public cloud remain clear, multi-cloud and hybrid cloud have their attractive qualities with some organizations choosing to entirely repatriate to a private cloud or on-premises infrastructure. The moves come as businesses...
Nov 17, 2023•26 min
Generative AI has powerful applications as a source for knowledge acquisition, as it can be used quickly and coherently to produce text outputs on almost any subject. Many generative AI models are also capable of producing efficient code in the programming language of a user’s choice or assessing the viability of pre-written code. The wide availability of these models is something with which academic institutions have already had to grapple in the past year alone. Tools such as ChatGPT put tradi...
Nov 10, 2023•36 min
Getting data in order can have a huge effect on whether businesses can harness the power of AI. Where your data is stored, in what form, as well as where and how it is processed, really can make the difference between successful and unsuccessful implementations of the technology. At NetApp Insight, these challenges were placed front and center, with a strong focus on the concerns of customers regarding data in the cloud and how it can be best harnessed by firms to power and provide context to th...
Nov 03, 2023•27 min
Automation and localization can both lighten the load for businesses in different ways. Without proper localization, a company may find one of its subsidiaries in breach of a regional tax code or data competency requirement. Without automation, businesses can languish with manual tasks and find themselves unable to expand and achieve the kind of worldwide growth for which they are aiming. The onset of AI has also changed this equation dramatically, crossing over with both automation and localiza...
Oct 27, 2023•25 min
AI is not a new technology, but recent advancements have put it in the spotlight. Among all the tangible benefits the technology can bring, it’s also surrounded by a substantial amount of hype. The tech sector is no stranger to hype, with virtual reality and the blockchain also having been subject to strong hype cycles. In 2022, someone may have earnestly told you the metaverse was the next big trend in business tech, and yet now Meta is the last vestige of a technology the world has moved on fr...
Oct 20, 2023•29 min
Cyber security has grown from a preoccupation of the IT department alone to something that can also keep CFOs, CEOs and others in the boardroom up at night. There was once a time when a computer virus might have been seen as an annoyance or inconvenience that was contained to at most a handful of computers. Now, however, most companies – and would-be attackers – realize a successful ransomware campaign, for example, could bring down their business. In this special edition of the ITPro Podcast, i...
Oct 18, 2023•25 min
The role of chief information security officer is among the most important in any firm. CISOs shoulder a heavy burden, with responsibility for protecting their company’s data, infrastructure, and associated assets. As the tech stack has grown, so too has the pressure on those in the role. CISOs have to shepherd technologies including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and edge computing. Gartner predicts that nearly half of all IT leaders could leave their roles by 2025, and CISOs are su...
Oct 13, 2023•39 min
While the tech sector has suffered globally from a skills gap in recent years, the UK landscape in particular has come to be defined by roles unfilled, churn, and middling productivity. The Office for National Statistics found that in 2021, the UK generated £46.92 per hour worked, versus £58.88 per hour worked in the United States. Across 2022, output across the UK remained flat. Brain drain is also a serious issue, as workers who feel their skills are underused leave their firms for greener pas...
Oct 06, 2023•25 min
Google is one of the most recognizable names in tech, most famous for its search tech and later reinventing itself as an AI firm. As the company turns 25, it’s a moment to look at its origin, list some of its most infamous product cancellations, and consider its lasting legacy. In this episode, Jane and Rory are joined by Bobby Hellard, ITPro's Reviews Editor, to discuss all things Google. For more information, read the show notes here ....
Sep 29, 2023•31 min
The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) aims to enforce a safer digital space, protecting users’ rights and establishing a level playing field to foster innovation, growth, and competitiveness. It’s hoped the legislation will help reduce trade in illegal goods and content online and curb algorithm-driven content. In practical terms, it will have wide-reaching impacts on the biggest names in tech, as well as the advertising and marketing industries. In this episode, Jane is joined by Alex Hazell, head ...
Sep 22, 2023•46 min
Through digital transformation, organizations can slash time spent on manual processes and work more efficiently to address pressing issues. In healthcare, speeding processes up can improve and even save lives. Across the UK, NHS trusts are identifying a number of ways in which the 7.7 million-person waiting list can be tackled, and digital transformation has a clear role to play. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is among the UK’s largest NHS trusts, with seven hospitals and 18,000 staff. Sinc...
Sep 15, 2023•40 min
Anyone who works in IT will have stories of technical debt – those times you have to tape software together to get it released by the deadline, or a cheap solution staves off a more costly overhaul of old systems. No matter how far you push it down the line, though, everyone has to pay up eventually. Ignoring technical debt only compounds the eventual problem of addressing it and IT teams around the world are saddled with technical debt that bites into their yearly budget. In this episode, Rory ...
Sep 08, 2023•31 min
Many businesses in the tech sector are currently facing economic headwinds, with rising costs and enduring skill shortages stymying growth plans. In response, some companies – including a number of notable large firms – have announced sweeping staff cuts. This is one way to cut costs, but it can end up placing an undue burden on the remaining staff. Small businesses in particular may struggle to reduce their employee numbers without forcing their staff to assume extra responsibilities, or having...
Sep 01, 2023•37 min
A cyber incident can be catastrophic for any company, and all firms would be well-advised to adopt a watertight security approach to security practices. Despite this, the UK government’s Cyber security breaches survey 2023 found that UK cyber hygiene has declined since 2021, with the use of password policies falling from 79% to 70% and network firewalls from 75% to 67% across the period. There is still a need for better enforcement of cyber security policies throughout businesses, but also for s...
Aug 25, 2023•33 min
Businesses with an online presence have to deal with the constant threat of cyber attacks, and ransomware stands out as one of the most disruptive threats a company can face. The malware costs an average of $4 million to remedy, and while it can be detected or tackled with the right tools and backups, neither are silver bullets. Cyber criminals want to get at sensitive data, and they’re ramping up their efforts. Check Point Research has found that weekly cyber attacks reached a two-year high las...
Aug 18, 2023•33 min
Since the start of the DevOps movement, teams are the most collaborative they’ve ever been. Bringing development and operations teams together and automating code commit work has a number of advantages when it comes to growing your business. Practices such as continuous integration, development, and deployment of software have enabled teams to move at pace and scale, but this is as much a cultural shift as it is a technical one. CI/CD isn’t a silver bullet for productivity or error-free code - m...
Aug 11, 2023•31 min
As the economy has become increasingly dependent on data, companies have sought to make more profit from mining user actions such as through loyalty schemes or social media interactions. But individual rights also have to be respected, and businesses have to follow strict data protection procedures. Privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) are one method for companies to securely search through data to derive value – for example, a bank could search through customer data to expose fraudulent activi...
Aug 04, 2023•27 min
The open source community is a hub of innovation and there is no doubt that open-source software helps to prop up stacks everywhere, from the smallest firms through to the largest names in the tech industry. However, concerns have been raised in recent years over the security of open-source supply chains. Notable incidents such as Log4Shell have acted as a reminder to businesses and governments alike that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. In this episode, Jane and Rory are joined by...
Jul 28, 2023•36 min
5G continues to roll out across the UK at pace, delivering high-speed data access for businesses and consumers alike. But while 5G alone is a step forward for connectivity, and has helped to boost data availability for businesses across the country, firms can also deploy it in more tailored approaches to help meet specific business needs. Companies with large campuses, or those that are looking to supply the low-latency connections needed for edge computing, are increasingly investing in private...
Jul 21, 2023•25 min
When you consider the roles that hold influence over business decisions and operations, which come to mind? Doubtless, the CEO and CFO, as well as the COO if you have one. The CMO may also be there – but what about the CIO or CTO? The advent of cloud computing, bring your own device (BYOD), and increasing cyber security threats were all supposed to coincide with CIOs finally having their seat at the table. ITPro has published articles on exactly this trend. But it seems that in some areas, this ...
Jul 14, 2023•28 min
The potential for cyber attacks will always rank as one of the top concerns for professionals. Over the decades, cyber attacks have gone from a headache for the IT department to something that can bring down an organization. While it's now a bit trite to say it's not a case of if a business is attacked but when, with groups like LAPSUS$, LockBit, and Cl0p regularly targeting companies of all sizes the odds are increasingly in the criminals’ favor. In this episode Jane is joined by Charles Hender...
Jul 07, 2023•30 min
Generative AI continues to dominate conversations around tech worldwide. Powerful tools such as large language models have already demonstrated clear value, with a range of business use cases and tons of potential to become even more sophisticated as time goes on. Amongst this progress, however, warnings have been raised. Regulators the world over are carefully assessing the risks posed by AI systems, and those behind some of the most recognizable AI companies including OpenAI and Google have we...
Jun 30, 2023•28 min
In 2023, you might expect that people would be entering the workforce with a basic understanding of computer skills. But this isn't always the case. Although it's more important than ever that people know how to use devices effectively and safely in order to get on in the workplace, some have still not learned the vital digital skills they need. Lloyds Bank’s 2023 Essential Digital Skills for Work report noted that 22% of the UK’s labour force lacks the digital skills necessary for the workplace...
Jun 23, 2023•35 min
AI is driving rapid change in the tech sector. New advancements in the field have brought tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and StableDiffusion to the public, while also offering the potential to solve knotty problems in areas such as medical research and climate change. But from the designing phase, right through to training and implementation, AI models must be made with ethical boundaries in mind. Without careful consideration of input and end result, AI can reflect the prejudices or limitations of i...
Jun 16, 2023•41 min
Quantum computing is an inevitable technology, with the private sector and nation-states racing to be the first to unlock its potential. While it can be used for all kinds of good, quantum computing could also be used to unravel critical systems. One of the most common ways to protect data is to encrypt it using an RSA algorithm. In simple terms, it relies on the fact that while you can easily multiply one prime number by another, it’s very hard to work out prime factors from any given number. Q...
Jun 09, 2023•38 min
Gender diversity in the tech sector is slowly improving, but data shows that heterosexual and cisgender tech leaders fare better LGBTQ+ peers when it comes to feeling included in their work cultures and raising crucial funding rounds. In its LGBTQ+ Founder report, Proud Ventures found that 18% of founders think their gender identity could have a negative impact on their fundraising, and 79% of LGBTQ+ investors stated that they have hidden their identity from colleagues. It’s clear that more work...
Jun 02, 2023•31 min
The move to the cloud has unlocked a huge number of benefits for businesses, but companies still differ over the extent to which they have adopted a multi-cloud approach versus locking in with just one provider. While some cloud customers may be looking to expand beyond the confines of their public cloud provider in a way that makes sense for them, others have already embraced a multi-cloud approach but seek unification of technology and services across their estate. If you have a firm idea of w...
May 26, 2023•27 min
Data has become one of the most valuable assets in the world, playing a larger role than ever in our digital economy. Research firm Capgemini predicts that the value of the data created in the EU alone could top €550 billion by 2025. Newham Council in London has launched a bold initiative to put itself at the heart of the capital’s data ecosystem with the creation of a dedicated data campus. This will work to promote digital roles and help encourage local innovation, while also seeking to boost ...
May 19, 2023•33 min
Communications service providers can harness a range of benefits by building out 5G networks using cloud-native elements such as microservices and containers. These include reducing capital expenditure, making networks more scalable and flexible, and improving network stability. Moving mobile network services to the cloud, however, is not without its complications. Those with large legacy security plans, or with complex network layouts, could face the prospect of being exposed to vulnerabilities...
May 12, 2023•28 min
Generative AI is dominating conversations across the tech sphere right now, and even making its way into discussions in day-to-day life. But for the average IT team, large language models can still seem intimidating, and training or tweaking requires significant computing power and skill. Additionally, concerns around explainability and approachability are still a barrier to some regulated industries such as financial services or life sciences. Appian has long been a notable name when it comes t...
May 05, 2023•27 min
