The ITPro Podcast

The EU’s AI Act has been approved, bringing in sweeping requirements, controls, and regulations for the development and use of AI tools throughout the region.But what are the precise measures it brings in, how can businesses prepare for the new rules, and what are the penalties for non-compliance?In this episode, Rory speaks to Nader Henein, VP Analyst at Garner, to explore the implications of the EU AI Act, how companies can prepare for the measures it brings in, and what it means for AI use worldwide.Read more:How the EU AI Act compares to other international regulatory approachesHow will the EU AI Act affect businesses?EU hammers out deal on AI Act, but it may have missed the markFrance, Germany, and Italy align themselves on AI regulation, but the EU may not like itEuropean AI startups risk being “regulated out of existence” under EU AI actWhat is GDPR? Everything you need to know, from requirements to finesGDPR costs are forcing firms to rethink data strategies

This week has seen Google Cloud’s annual Next conference in full swing, with the hyperscaler having made major announcements on generative AI and the infrastructure necessary to support it.Having spent the past year playing catch-up with Microsoft and OpenAI, Google Cloud is now in a place where it’s ready to press its advantage in AI, years after the company first declared itself “AI first”. But has it succeeded in this mission, and if so – what are the tangible benefits for Google Cloud customers?In this episode, recorded live at Google Cloud Next 2024 Rory speaks to Bola Rotibi, Chief of Enterprise Research, CCS Insight, to explore some of the most notable trends at the event and unpack why Google has a strong advantage in the AI space.Read more:Google Cloud Next 2024: All the news and announcements liveGemini Code Assist could be Google's secret weapon to challenge GitHub CopilotGoogle Cloud doubles down on AI Hypercomputer amid sweeping compute upgradesGoogle Cloud targets ‘AI anywhere’ with Vertex AI AgentsAnthropic could be the champion AWS and Google needGoogle’s Hugging Face partnership shows the future of generative AI rests on open source collaborationMicrosoft Copilot review: AI baked into your appsYou’re going to have an AI copilot for everything you do – and you’ll probably hate it

March has been a month of concern for those in the cyber security community following revelations of extensive hacking campaigns carried out by state-backed groups.In the latter part of the month, it was reported that APT 31, a Chinese state-backed threat group, had accessed information on tens of millions of UK voters in a breach of the Electoral Commission. Threat actors had also targeted US politicians and businesses. What can we learn from the breach and how can organizations protect themselves against future state-backed threats?In this episode, Jane and Rory welcome back Ross Kelly, ITPro’s news and analysis editor, to explore the month’s cyber security developments.

Is your firm missing out on AI? It’s a question that has weighed heavy on the minds of tech leaders for the past 18 months and as new developments are announced leaders are presented with an ever-increasing buffet of AI products.While the pressure to commit to AI adoption can be intense, it’s essential that leaders integrate AI in a strategic fashion. But what does this mean in a practical sense and how can leaders match this need for caution against their fear of missing crucial AI opportunities?In this episode, Rory speaks to Sharon Mandell, CIO at Juniper Networks, to unpack how the expansion of AI is being handled by businesses, the response leaders can take to increased competition, and what forms AI will settle into at an enterprise level.Read more:The future of generative AI lies in open sourceThree open source large language models you can use todayBig Tech AI alliance has ‘almost zero’ chance of achieving goals, expert saysWhy not to invest in generative AI – for nowOpenAI's Sam Altman: Hallucinations are part of the “magic” of generative AIWill Nvidia's AI dominance shake up the public cloud ‘big three’?

This classic episode of the ITPro Podcast was first published on 9 June 2023.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.The UK is one of several nations investing in quantum computing, with its government having announced £900 million for its own exascale quantum computer. Stakes are high as we enter into what some have dubbed a ‘quantum arms race’, with the first to successfully crack encryption holding all the cards when it comes to its myriad use cases.In this episode, Rory and Jane speak to Tim Callan, chief experience officer at cyber security firm Sectigo, about the current state of quantum computing research and how the industry can prepare for this seismic shift.For more information, read the show notes here.

As technological innovations happen, it can be easy to forget that even the most complex systems rely on large networks of basic infrastructure to operate. At the most fundamental level, all tech products rely on effective data storage But this is easier said than done. Each byte of data has to be stored somewhere, on a rack, disk, tape, or flash device. As the world embraces hardware and software that creates data at an even faster rate, businesses will be forced to push the frontiers of data storage and evaluate their data management strategies.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Tom Coughlin, president and CEO of the IEEE, to learn more about how data storage will continue to evolve and what organizations can do to keep up with innovation in the space.Read more:​​​​Best SSDs 2023: The top NVMe and SATA drives around10 things to consider when buying an external hard disk-based storage deviceWhat is machine learning and why is it important?What is generative artificial intelligence (AI)?Who owns the data used to train AI?How to choose the right storage medium for your organization’s backup strategyThree keys to successful data managementStructured vs unstructured data management5 things to consider when selecting your next online storage providerHow close is glass data storage to scaled enterprise use?

The tech sector still has a long way to go when it comes to gender equality. While progress has been made over the years, women in tech face hurdles such as discrimination and outdated hiring processes. All of this works to drive women out of tech and uphold ingrained, sectoral biases.Female founders come up against these same challenges time and time again, which robs the industry of innovative firms and stems the flow of progress. For a more diverse sector, more work needs to be done on initiatives to support the next generation of women in tech.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Laura Hutton, co-founder and chief customer officer at Quantexa, to discuss women in tech and the role leaders can play in improving equality throughout the sector.Read more:From this week women across the UK will effectively work for free - and in tech it’s even worseFive common barriers holding back women in techUK deep tech companies have a serious diversity problemSurge in female computing degree applications shows the tide is slowly turning on tech sector gender diversityUK’s female AI founders receive six times less funding than male counterparts“Shoehorning” female tech workers into management roles could harm inclusivitySexism in the UK tech sector is rife and shows no sign of abatingTech workers fear generative AI could "drive women out the workforce"Women in tech are being forced out of work by the ‘motherhood penalty’Tech sector gender gap could take “nearly 300 years” to close without interventionMale workers say sexism in the tech industry is “rare” - women would disagreeFixing STEM's gender bias with more classroom intervention

February has been an eventful month in the tech sector as ransomware operator LockBit, which has accrued billions of dollars in ill-gotten gains in its approximately four-year history, was taken down by an international task force spearheaded by the UK’s National Crime Agency.Elsewhere, ChatGPT suffered a major setback as users noticed the industry-leading chatbot had taken to answering prompts with complete gibberish. Though the issue was fixed within a day of being reported, it has raised important questions about the reliability of the service and the technology that underlies it.In this episode, Jane and Rory welcome back Ross Kelly, ITPro’s news and analysis editor, to explore February’s big cyber security story and discuss what ChatGPT’s moment of madness means for generative AI.Read more:LockBit could be done and dusted after NCA operation gained access to admin environments, source code, and affiliate infoLockBit rises from the ashes, but will it pack the same punch as before?Life after LockBit: A fragmented landscape and wayward affiliates will still cause chaos for enterprisesEuropol takes down 'dangerous' Emotet botnetQakbot forced offline, but history suggests it probably won’t be foreverEverything we know so far about the rumored ALPHV 'takedown'History tells us ALPHV will likely recover from recent takedownLockBit remains most dangerous ransomware despite fall in attacksThe 'Big Three’ ransomware groups are losing their grip on the industry as gangs begin to fracture, study shows

STEM careers are often touted as those with the best prospects, but when it comes to job satisfaction things may not be quite so rosy. A stark number of workers in the tech industry are currently looking to move jobs – either into a different tech role or into another field entirely. Many more are facing the looming prospect of job cuts, while an increasing number are reporting poor working conditions. All this adds up to a disaffected and disengaged workforce – something leaders need to fix or risk losing valuable staff and the knowledge they hold.What can companies do to stem this issue, and how practical are these solutions? In this episode, Jane and Rory discuss the state of employee wellbeing in tech and how leaders can start to address issues such as burnout and turnover.Read more:How to combat high staff turnover in techAgile development is fading in popularity at large enterprises - and developer burnout is a key factorSurging cyber threats exacerbating security staff burnoutHybrid work means we’re burning out harder and faster than everA third of cyber security pros report crumbling work-life balanceCyber security professionals are exhausted, and it's putting firms at greater risk of attackFighting the ‘always on’ culture that’s savaging mental health in cyber securityBoosting mental health support in the workplaceUK's four-day week trial ends, leads to reduced burnout and sick daysThe company-wide benefits of mentorship in techGartner: Nearly half of cyber leaders to leave roles over mounting stressIT staff frustrated at rate of change in the workplaceFive ways to prevent digital transformation burnoutCan businesses use AI to beat burnout?AI employee monitoring will only burn bridges in the workplace

As organizations look to integrate AI tools into their business models, key questions will have to be answered around how this fits in with their wider strategy. This doesn’t just mean data analysis or adoption of generative AI tools, but less directly connected initiatives such as sustainability goals.The adoption of AI is also running up against concerns around skills. Many organizations, if not most, are yet to truly determine which roles and tasks can be augmented and improved by AI services. Additionally, there are questions among workers and employers alike as to what emerging AI-focused skills they will need to acquire to stay competitive in their field.In this episode:Jane speaks to Pauline Yau, UKI verticals sales director at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, to unpack the current trends around AI and what the future holds for AI in business.Rory and Jane discuss the significance of these trends and how this may pan out in 2024.Read more:Why cutting-edge innovation is killing the planetHow HPE plans to combat generative AI’s 'dirty secret'The AI skills gap is prompting a widespread rethink on workforce upskillingHow the metaverse is powering next-gen digital twinsDoes your business need a digital twin?ChatGPT vs chatbots: What’s the difference?Global power shortages mean data centers could struggle to shoulder the burden of energy-intensive generative AI demands in 2024Tech industry takes vast lead in green energy spending, biggest companies vie for top spotScotland could be the next big data center powerhouse, offering greener options, significant savings, and direct access to renewable energy“We’ve made savings of around 85%”: Embracing green energy for data centers by migrating to Iceland

It’s becoming something of a tradition for companies to ring in the new year with a wave of layoffs. In 2024, as in 2023, workforce reduction has been a major theme in the tech sector and beyond for January.As technologies such as AI take root, the nature and pace of layoffs is likely to change in the near future. Competing pressures of economic downturns and productivity shortfalls could change the tech workforce dramatically.In this episode, Jane and Rory are joined by Ross Kelly, ITPro’s news and analysis editor, to discuss the latest wave of tech sector layoffs, how they compare to previous years, and what this means for the future.Read more:Tech layoffs in 2024 show the ‘year of efficiency’ is here to stay, it just won't be quite as ruthlessCloudflare employee’s viral dismissal video offers a stark glimpse into the human cost of layoffsSundar Pichai’s “ambitious goals” for Google in 2024 rest on yet more layoffs as firm cuts hundreds of jobsThe reality of mass AI-linked job cuts is hereIBM’s CEO just said the quiet part out loud on AI-related job lossesIBM CEO in damage control mode after AI job loss commentsOnce again, PayPal starts the year with another round of job cutsWhat’s behind the wave of big tech layoffs in 2023?Microsoft seeks to ward off potential union action over AI job risksWith AI on the rise, is it time to join a union?First Microsoft union formed by ZeniMax workersThe tech industry needs to unionise now more than ever

If you’ve seen Oppenheimer, Dune, or Blade Runner 2049, then you’ve seen the work of DNEG. The British visual effects firm, formerly known as Double Negative, has had to contend with growing compute and data demands in its 26 year history, with thousands of hours of rendering required to bring the latest visuals from servers to the cinema screen. In recent years, DNEG’s legacy infrastructure began to feel the strain of this task, leading the firm to work with Red Hat to adopt a cloud-native approach.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Ian Abbott, software architect at DNEG, and Ollie Harding, software infrastructure architect at DNEG, to discuss how the visual effects firm has adopted a cloud-native approach to help its artists be more productive.Read more:How cloud-native agility helped DNEG level up its award-winning VFXCloud-native tools are becoming more popular in Europe than the USRed Hat launches OpenShift Platform Plus alongside new managed cloud servicesRed Hat unveils new application services toolbox for developers

Computers and technology have well and truly permeated our professional and private lives. While this has led to great strides in efficiency, opened up new opportunities for businesses and individuals, and helped us become more connected than ever before, there are also downsides.As the world becomes more digital and even menial tasks are increasingly outsourced to computer systems, a simultaneous shift in accountability and oversight needs to take place. Trust in computers is all too often automatic, with the pitfalls of this brought to life through the Horizon scandal in the UK. As we move to a future where AI is ubiquitous and computing permeates every level of life, how do we avoid a repeat of this kind of tragedy and move forward using AI in the most ethical way possible?In this episode, Jane and Rory discuss the fallibility of tech and why business leaders would do well to approach the data they receive from computer systems with a healthy dose of skepticism.Read more:Post Office Horizon scandal explained: Everything you need to knowOpenAI aims to reduce generative AI 'hallucinations' with new training methodOpenAI's Sam Altman: Hallucinations are part of the “magic” of generative AILabour must approach AI carefully to avoid repeating a Dutch disasterGovernment urged to save '555' Post Office workers from "financial ruin"Use of generative AI in the legal profession accelerating despite accuracy concernsWhat is ethical AI?

Business intelligence tools already help leaders learn more about the data that drives their business and make more informed decisions. BI dashboards, in particular, help business leaders quantify their successes and identify areas for improvement from one central point of access.When it comes to adopting AI effectively, proper oversight and understanding of your data can be of the utmost importance. On paper, there could be a strong role for a combination of BI and AI, with intelligent identification of patterns to inform IT leaders to a greater degree. But is it this simple in practice?In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Nick Magnuson, Head of AI at Qlik, to find out how business intelligence and AI can be brought together most effectively and some of the main mistakes businesses make when it comes to integrating the two.Read more:What is Business Intelligence (BI)?What is a business intelligence analyst?Four business benefits of AI-powered analyticsWhat is data analytics?A lack of data maturity could hamper enterprise AI ambitions in 2024Is AI the future of everything?Three keys to successful data managementWhy not to invest in generative AI – for now

This classic episode of the ITPro Podcast was first published on 6 January 2023.Passwords can be tricky at the best of times. Proper password hygiene is one of the most important factors in endpoint security, as it keeps sensitive data secure and prevents threat actors from getting into important systems. Despite the risks, the use of weak or recycled passwords continues to be a problem even amongst IT professionals and remembering too many unique passwords is a strain. While systems such as multi-factor authentication have been used as an extra layer of security, groups like the FIDO Alliance and World Wide Web Consortium have been working to make passwords a thing of the past, in favour of more secure methods.This week, we spoke to Richard Meeus, EMEA director of security & technology strategy for Akamai Technologies, to explore the solutions driving secure sign ons, and how the sector can adapt to this change.Read more:Revealed: The top 200 most common passwords of 2022If not passwords then what?What are biometrics?What is two-factor authentication?What is multi-factor authentication (MFA) fatigue and how do you defend against attacks?How to implement passwordless authenticationBest password managersBest free password managersThe sooner the FIDO Alliance can shut down passwords, the betterWill FIDO passwordless authentication save cyber security?The top 12 password-cracking techniques used by hackers

The UK’s data privacy landscape has long come with strict responsibilities for businesses, requiring detailed justifications for all customer data stored and processed. After the UK formally exited the European Union in 2020, the UK retained regulations for controllers and processors via the UK GDPR which sits alongside the Data Protection Act 2018.Businesses have often criticized the red tape present within GDPR, arguing that it holds them back from carrying out the core functions of their business model. In response, the UK government has repeatedly backed the creation of a bill that would reform to UK data protection law and while this has been subject to some false starts, it is now underway as the Data Protection and Digital Information (DPDI) Bill.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Chris Combemale, CEO at the Data and Marketing Association and chair of the Government’s Business Advisory Group on reforms, to learn how the DPDI could improve UK innovation and where it differs from other laws.

As business leaders reflect on the past 12 months and look forward to what the next might hold, a number of trends and technologies stand out. While AI is dead set to continue its large role in 2024, the impact of high-performance computing (HPC), the spread of new 5G technologies, and the pernicious role that increasingly sophisticated fraud tech will play is also worth exploring.For this new year’s edition of the podcast, Jane and Rory eschew predictions to focus on the top trends from this year that will continue to play a part in 2024.Read more:What is exascale computing?UK supercomputer boom as HPE and Dell receive funding for new AI clusterOfcom approves 5G mmWave, but what are its benefits?What are private 5G networks and can they transform the workplace?IBM CEO in damage control mode after AI job loss commentsThe reality of mass AI-linked job cuts is hereAI job risks: Skilled workers are most likely to lose out to artificial intelligence in UKWhy AI could be a legal nightmare for years to comeWho owns the data used to train AI?Real-time deepfakes are becoming a serious threatHow Intel's FaceCatcher hopes to eradicate real-time deepfakesC-suites consider quantum a serious threat and "amazing" deepfake attacks are just 'months away'Microsoft's VALL-E will usher in a new era of cyber crime

So much has happened this year, not least in the areas of AI and social media, but at the same time some events have been some notable omissions. While generative AI has taken the world by storm, there is still much to prove about its business use cases and how it should be regulated. Security and hardware are also in a similar place to previous years, with the same threats and designs coming to the surface in 2023 in place of any revolutionary shifts.For this festive episode of the podcast, Jane and Rory discuss the biggest things that didn't happen this year, from things that were promised but didn't come to fruition or even events that have been awaited for years and still failed to show up in 2023.Read more:EU hammers out deal on AI Act, but it may have missed the markFrance, Germany, and Italy align themselves on AI regulation, but the EU may not like itWhy AI could be a legal nightmare for years to comeThe UK's hollow AI Safety Summit has only emphasized global dividesThe time has come to say arrivederci to the all-in-one PCThe AI-powered PC: From personal computer to personal companionWhy 2024 won’t be the year of AR, VR or any kind of immersive techWhat are the most-targeted industries for cyber attacks?Twitter's employee 'revolt' sparks survival concerns for a platform crumbling from within

Machine learning (ML) has been a field of research for more than 50 years, and as a subset of artificial intelligence has also been the focus of great innovation in that time. Many businesses use machine learning throughout their stack and some will have relied upon ML frameworks without realizing it. With the rise in popularity of newer forms of AI developments such as generative AI, however, some have questioned the extent to which traditional approaches such as machine learning algorithms still have a place in the tech industry. In this episode Jane speaks to Sascha Heyer, senior machine learning engineer at DoiT, to explore whether ML still has a role to play in a world that is more interested in conversational AI.Read more:What is machine learning and why is it important?Machine learning vs data science: What’s the difference?Machine learning vs deep learning vs neural networks: What’s the difference?Machine learning vs AI vs NLP: What are the differences?Seven reasons why machine learning is a good careerMachine learning vs statistics: What’s the difference?

The promise of algorithms and AI has always been simple at its core. Workers can automate manual and laborious tasks, to free up their time for more complex or meaningful activities.This comes under scrutiny in some fields more than others. For example, the use of algorithmic processing in HR and hiring has had some very public horror stories in the past few years. While one could theoretically use the perfect algorithm to quickly pick the best hires out of a stack of applications according to their relevant qualifications, in practice algorithms can entrench existing biases in the data on which they were trained or expose candidates to digital discrimination.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Tom Cornell, senior I/O psychology consultant at HireVue to explore the dos and don’ts of hiring algorithms and question whether an algorithm can ever be truly objective.Read more:What is an algorithm?How ableist algorithms dominate digital spacesHired by machines: Exploring recruitment's machine-driven futureWhat is ethical AI?Workday hit with claims its AI hiring systems are discriminatoryWhat are the pros and cons of AI?How biased is your app?

It’s been a whirlwind month, and not in the way that one might have predicted. Opening with the UK’s AI Safety Summit and ending with the anniversary of ChatGPT, November was already set to be a big month for the field of AI, particularly when it came to global legislation. As the month progressed, it turned out that November had even more planned, in the form of a huge upheaval at OpenAI.In this episode, Jane and Rory look at some of the standout moments of November 2023 and draw a line between them all to pick out a trend for the month.Read more:UK aims to be an AI leader with November safety summitCan the UK's AI Safety Summit succeed?Bletchley Declaration draws cautious approvalThe UK's hollow AI Safety Summit has only emphasized global dividesRishi Sunak’s stance on AI goes against the demands of businessesSam Altman joins Microsoft to lead new “advanced AI research team”OpenAI chaos: What next for Sam Altman and the beleaguered tech darling?Sam Altman makes triumphant return to OpenAI after days of chaosSalesforce looks to poach outbound OpenAI staff with "full cash" compensation offer

It’s now been four years since the ITPro Podcast’s first episode and so much has changed in that time.Across almost every sector, we're working in different ways, in different places, and through the use of different hardware and software. Remote work and AI have unsettled our idea of the office and the working day, while promises such as the metaverse have flared and burned.In this special 200th episode, Jane and Rory take a look back at how far we've come since 2019.Read more:CEOs are living in dreamland if they think staff will return to the office five days a week“Zoom bombing” sends Zoom stock plummetingGenerative AI could be the key to delivering a four-day working weekUK's four-day week trial ends, leads to reduced burnout and sick daysWhy Zoom’s backtrack on remote work confirms that the ‘new normal’ is no moreAre we in the middle of a generative AI bubble?What ChatGPT’s latest updates mean for business usersOpenAI tool previously thought 'too dangerous' for the public goes generally availableWhy AI could be a legal nightmare for years to comeIs the UK falling behind the EU on AI regulation?​​Meta Quest Pro preview: Meet Meta's 'laptop killer'Metaverse-obsessed tech giants are losing the plotWhy 2024 won’t be the year of AR, VR or any kind of immersive tech

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 face an uncertain cloud landscape. Many in the IT sector are battling skill shortages or struggling to convince stakeholders to spend money on cloud resources. Faced with these challenges, they are seeking ways to alleviate these challenges and get a return on investment from their cloud strategy.Recorded live at VMware Explore, Rory is joined by Martin Hosken, chief technologist EMEA at VMware, to discuss FinOps, shifting cloud strategy, and just what the benefits of cloud repatriation are.Read more:What is cloud repatriation?What is multi-cloud?Why cloud repatriation is a ‘fallacy’How to embark on your cloud repatriation journey37 Signals says it saved $1 million by abandoning cloud infrastructureVMware unveils slew of new cloud data management and recovery tools

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 traditional assessment methods such as written coursework or take-home exams at risk, but also act as powerful assistants for computing students looking to improve their programming skills.In this episode Jane is joined by Prashanth Chandrasekar, CEO of Stack Overflow, to discuss how AI can change education and digital innovation.For more information:Record computing degree applications driven by AI interest, says BCSA-level results 2023: What’s driving the uptake in computing degrees?What is ChatGPT and what does it mean for businesses?Over-reliance on ChatGPT could harm worker performanceDevelopers more likely to introduce security vulnerabilities in code when using AI assistantsChatGPT gives wrong answers to programming questions more than 50% of the timeStack Overflow temporarily bans ChatGPT from platform

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 their generative AI models.In this episode, Jane and Rory are joined by Ross Kelly, ITPro News Editor, to hear about NetApp’s strategy on AI and hybrid cloud, and what he learned from his 1:1 with the company’s CEO, George Kurian.For more information:What is generative artificial intelligence (AI)?NetApp CEO: Hybrid cloud will be the only way to capitalize on generative AINetApp aims to become ‘true data pipeline’ for enterprises with latest AI updatesNetApp Insight 2023: All the news and announcementsIn the age of AI, leaders need to scrap “monolithic” data transformationsStorage, sustainability, and AI in the spotlight at Pure Storage Accelerate 2023Pure Storage: Generative AI has a friend in flash

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 localization and bringing its fundamental implementation curve.In this episode, recorded live at SuiteWorld 2023, Rory is joined by James Chisham, VP of product management at NetSuite, to give examples of where automation and localization have been used to address business problems, and to question where AI can fit in the mix.For more information:NetSuite aims to be a ‘global local solution’, set to double down on automationNetSuite aims to bolster finance teams with new AI planning toolsOracle unveils ‘sovereign cloud’ region for EU customers amid lingering sovereignty worriesSlack says automation can save every employee a month of work per year

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 from.But how far is generative AI into its hype cycle, and what predictions about the technology will ring true five years from now?In this episode, Jane and Rory are joined by Michael Conway, executive partner at IBM Consulting for Data, AI & Technology Transformation Service Line, to explain where we are in the lifecycle and hype cycle of AI.For more information:What is generative artificial intelligence (AI)?Examples of generative AI in action todayMore than half of firms now using generative AIAre we in the middle of a generative AI bubble?SuiteWorld 2023 proves customers still don't know what they're supposed to do with generative AIDell CTO: AI is nothing compared to the oncoming quantum storm

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, in association with BT, Rory and Jane are joined by Deborah Moir, principal cyber security consultant at BT. Together, they discuss the risks businesses face and how they can quantify them to decide where to concentrate their defense resources.

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 subject to the same talent shortages as the rest of the sector amidst a constant need to maintain oversight of a growing IT estate.In this episode, Jane is joined by Andrew Rose, resident CISO for EMEA at Proofpoint, to expand on how to be an effective CISO, and how the role is changing.For more information:Work-related stress “keeps cyber security professionals awake at night”CISO job description: What does a CISO do?Gartner: Nearly half of cyber leaders to leave roles over mounting stressFighting the ‘always on’ culture that’s savaging mental health in cyber securityGartner urges CISOs to adopt new forms of trust and risk management for AIWhat is ransomware?What is business email compromise (BEC)?96% of CISOs without necessary support to maintain cyber securitySix generative AI cyber security threats and how to mitigate them

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 pastures. According to DocuSign’s 2023 Digital Maturity report, the average worker spends 11 hours per week on manual and repetitive tasks, and 26% of those planning to quit cited frustration with legacy work processes they are still made to follow.In this episode, Jane and Rory are joined by Ronan Copeland, group VP and general manager EMEA at DocuSign, to explore productivity problems in more depth and offer some solutions.For more information, read the show notes here.

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.

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 of privacy and legal EMEA at Acxiom, to illustrate the huge implications of the DSA on companies operating in the region.For more information, read the show notes here.

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. Since 2020, it has worked with software vendor Netcall to implement a new digital platform for patients that reduces manual processing by 88%.In this episode, Jane and Rory are joined by Rob Child, program manager (Outpatients CSU) at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, to discuss the trust’s digital transformation in more detail.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 is joined by Karen Worstell, senior cyber strategist at VMware to explore the impacts of technical debt and what can be done to address it.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 to say goodbye to some crucial tasks altogether.In this episode, Rory is joined by Sune Engsig, VP of Product Development at the test automation platform Leapwork, to discuss the strategic changes tech companies can embrace to achieve their productivity goals.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 security to be embraced as vital a consideration as any business process.In this episode, Rory is joined by Steve Furnell, IEEE senior member and professor of cybersecurity at the University of Nottingham to discuss how IT leaders can drive a cultural shift within their organizations to put security at the forefront of decision-making.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 last quarter at an average of 1,258 attacks per organization, per week.In this episode, Rory and Jane are joined by Denis Kennelly, general manager of IBM storage, to unravel the importance of a proper cyber resilience strategy, data backups, and tackling ransomware head-on.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 - managers have to carefully assess and oversee operations for the best results, and good team communication is necessary.In this episode, Rory is joined by Dylan Etkin, CEO and co-founder of software development firm Sleuth to explore the benefits of CI/CD and how businesses can avoid the pitfalls of adopting the framework.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 activity without putting the personal information of all the customers involved at risk.This episode, Rory and Jane are joined by Ellison Anne Williams, CEO and founder of privacy-enhancing technology company Enveil, to discuss the dos and don’ts of data use, and how organizations can make use of PETs for enhanced data mining.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 Brian Fox, CTO of software supply chain management at Sonatype to discuss how the ecosystem can be made safer, and the role that developers, companies, and governments can play.

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 5G networks. In this episode, Jane and Rory are joined by Sandeep Raithatha, head of strategy, innovation, and 5G IoT at Virgin Media O2 to unpack the use cases and benefits of 5G private networks, as well as the effect they could have on the UK business landscape.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 shift is stalling or even reversing. In this episode, Jane and Rory are joined by Anthony Byrne, EY partner leading technology practice for the UK and Ireland to discuss what’s behind this regression and the changing role that CIOs must play.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 Henderson, Global Head of IBM X-Force, to discuss the threats that the UK and other countries face, and how they can be tackled.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 weighed in on the potential risks and benefits of the new technology.In this episode, Rory is joined by Ross Kelly, IT Pro’s cloud computing specialist and staff writer to discuss the recent developments in AI regulation and where it could be headed.For more information, read the show notes here.

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, and 40% of workers struggle to effectively use the tools necessary to solve work-related problems.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Mark Evans, interim information technology director at Tilia Homes and member of the ITPro Network, to discuss how businesses are faring with the lack of digital skills in the workforce and what can be done to improve the levels of computer literacy in the UK.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 its developers, and cause real harm.In this episode, Rory and Jane speak to Dr. Sohrob Kazerounian, distinguished AI researcher at cyber security company Vectra AI, to unpack the considerations that go into making AI ethical, and how firms can work to eliminate unexpected bias.For more information, read the show notes here.

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. Quantum computing could make this much easier, allowing criminals to decrypt sensitive data.The UK is among a number of nations investing in quantum computing, with the government having recently announced £900 million for exascale quantum computer. Stakes are high as we enter into what some have dubbed a ‘quantum arms race’, with the first to successfully crack encryption holding all the cards when it comes to its myriad use cases.In this episode, Rory and Jane speak to Tim Callan, chief experience officer at cyber security firm Sectigo, about the current state of quantum computing research and how the industry can prepare for this seismic shift.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 needs to be done to promote an intersectional approach to diversity in the workplace, and for managers to be given the right education to become active rather than passive allies.In this episode, Rory and Jane speak to Meri Williams, CTO at Pleo and trustee at Stonewall, to discuss the state of LGBTQ+ diversity in the tech sector and what can be done to improve support and representation across the landscape.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 what approach your business is taking to multi-cloud, whether it’s ‘by design’ or ‘by default’, you might find yourself in a better position to innovate with edge or AI.In this episode, recorded live at Dell Technologies World 2023, Rory speaks with Dermot O’Connell, senior vice president, EMEA Services at Dell Technologies. The pair explore current customer demands and how an efficient multi-cloud approach can support full-stack efficiency.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 the prominence of both London and the UK in the world’s data economy.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Amit Shanker, chief digital officer at the London Borough of Newham, to discuss the approach being taken there and how this can benefit the wider tech ecosystem.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 as part of their cloud migration.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Bart Salaets, EMEA and field CTO at multi-cloud security company F5, to find out how telcos and other businesses can securely adopt new network architectures.For more information, read the show notes here.

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 to low-code development and automation, and its announcements at Appian World 2023 have leaned heavily on how AI – and generative AI especially – fits into this development proposition.In this episode, Rory speaks to Michael Beckley, co-founder and CTO at Appian, to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of implementing low code, AI, and generative AI solutions and how companies could appropriately implement each.For more information, read the show notes here.

ChatGPT has taken the world by storm, as a tangible and relatable use of advanced AI. With people inside and outside the tech scene getting equally excited about its capabilities, many businesses have asked themselves if they could – or should – adopt the chatbot into their stack.But while businesses are eager to take advantage of OpenAI’s powerful models, some have advised careful consideration of the information that one gives to ChatGPT and whether or not it makes sense for every firm.In this episode Jane speaks to Rory, ITPro’s subject matter expert on AI, to discuss all things ChatGPT and unpack the current landscape of generative AI offerings.For more information, read the show notes here.

Cyber attacks can be one of the most damaging things that can happen to an organization. Whether it’s a data breach or ransomware, falling victim to an attack can be extremely costly and disruptive, so knowing how to react to an attack is as important as knowing how to prevent one.Despite this, businesses continue to struggle with keeping employees engaged with cyber security training. With adults apparently not grasping the importance of cyber security skills, there is a growing argument for introducing them while people are still at school, to ensure no one joins the workforce unprepared for the threats they may face.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Matt Lorentzen, principal consultant at information security consultancy Cyberis, to explore how we can effectively instill cyber security best practices through the education sector and why simulated attacks could be an effective method through which common attack vectors can be taught.For more information, read the show notes here.Correction: The report cited at the start of this episode was incorrectly attributed to Freshworks, when it was in fact published by Fortinet.

As businesses increase their digital estate, insider theft poses an increasingly large risk. Whether it’s through malicious parties gaining access to crucial systems and data or employees stealing information to which they should never have had access, firms should be considering these scenarios carefully.This has been exacerbated by the economic climate, with layoffs and a greater reliance on third-party individuals leading to a lack of oversight and cohesion when it comes to access management. Stolen credentials or over-provisioned contractors can be the first crack in the armour for any business.In this episode, Rory speaks to Fran Rosch, CEO of digital identity specialist ForgeRock, about the pressing need for better scrutiny of third parties and how companies can control systems access through identity governance.For more information, read the show notes here.

This classic episode of the ITPro Podcast was first published on 12 March 2021.Recent improvements in fields like robotics, prosthetics and artificial intelligence have brought that dream closer than ever to being a reality - but what does human augmentation really mean? Where do we draw the line between tools and augmentations? And what function - if any - can they serve in a practical business context?In this episode, we look at the emerging field of augmentation tech, the biohacking and transhumanist subcultures, and how close we really are to brain chips and bionic eyeballs.

Tech Nation – a key player in the UK tech startup scene for over a decade – has shuttered its doors. But Barclays Eagle Labs will continue where its predecessor left off, with millions of promised funding in addition to the government’s £12 million digital growth grant hoped to spur investment.While questions around visa commitments have yet to be answered, firms outside of southeast England could nevertheless be swayed by Barclays Eagle Labs’ nationwide reach and sector expertise.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Ross Kelly, ITPro’s startups & small business specialist and staff writer, to reveal the current state of UK startups and the mood following the cessation of Tech Nation’s activities.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from being a sci-fi staple to a tool that’s in widespread use. Headlines today are dominated with news of generative AI services such as ChatGPT and Bard, the latest and greatest in large language models from firms OpenAI and Google. These promise users a crack at incredibly capable text generation and interpretation based on vast training models, using nothing more complicated than their browser and a keyboard.As powerful tools for text generation, large language models also carry the risk of empowering threat actors. As more people publicly access these systems than ever before, security firms are assessing how chatbots could bolster malicious activity.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Hanah Darley, head of threat research at cybersecurity firm Darktrace, on the potential misuse of generative AI models, and the role the technology can play as part of a wider AI defence arsenal at the enterprise level.For more information, read the show notes here.

It’s been over a year since Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and for those in the tech sector cyber warfare has defined the conflict. Ukrainian organisations, both public and private, have been subject to attacks including wiper malware, spear phishing, and data breaches.National cyber security agencies, as well as teams of security experts from throughout the field, remain on high alert for heightened Russian cyber activity. Understanding the strategies of these hackers, as well as their individual motivations, has been key to retaining the integrity of targeted systems.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Daniel Thanos, head of Arctic Wolf Labs, to discuss the current state-sponsored threat group landscape, and how the terms of the conflict have shifted over time.For more information, read the show notes here.

Metaverse tech has already attracted billions of pounds in investment, and despite its detractors looks set to play a major role in the future of communications and productivity tech. It was also one of the main themes at this year’s Mobile World Congress, where the concept of a CMO - that’s ‘chief metaverse officer’ - was discussed in detail.Companies like Journey, Nike, and Telefónica already have individuals with metaverse in their titles, but there is still a lot to be proved about the longevity of these roles. With metaverse tech still lacking definition in the minds of businesses and consumers alike, the impact that this new concept of a CMO will have on the industry as a whole.In this special episode, IT Pro reviews editor Bobby Hellard presents a report from MWC, covering the definition and responsibilities of a chief metaverse officer, and whether or not the role could have a vital role to play in the C-suite of the future.For more information, read the show notes here.

Open source software can be found in a huge number of businesses' stacks. Whether it’s to save on expensive software, to fix a problem that a devoted hobbyist has a solution for, or because of its lively developer community, open source solutions run throughout the tech sector.However, in recent years security concerns have damaged the perception of open source software and vulnerabilities like Log4Shell left some IT leaders with headaches they aren’t keen to repeat. As the market expands, some open source developers find themselves under more pressure than ever before and questions have been raised around the duty of larger firms to help support the community they rely on.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Keumars Afifi-Sabet, features editor at IT Pro and our specialist covering open source, to discuss the challenges facing the open source community and ask whether it will survive in its current form.For more information, read the show notes here.

The conversation around UK connectivity is often dominated by the rollout of 5G, or the race for widespread gigabit broadband. But many rural communities and businesses struggle with a lack of even basic connectivity such as reliable cellular service. This has severe consequences for rural businesses, holding back their growth while accelerating brain drain as younger people gravitate towards urban areas for education and employment.Some groups have taken measures into their own hands to ensure they receive the connectivity they need. In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Dave Happy, collaboration lead at 5GRuralDorset, to discuss the connection difficulties facing rural businesses and what is being done to help.For more information, read the show notes here.

Throughout the pandemic, companies across the world rushed to establish cloud services that could prop up the need for remote working. But in recent months, word of a “cloud slowdown” has been building, with some of the biggest vendors experiencing a drop in the growth of their cloud sales.In the third quarter of 2022, AWS reported the slowest growth in its history, while Google’s growth was down almost 10% on the previous year.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Ross Kelly, IT Pro’s cloud specialist and staff writer to discuss what’s behind the cloud slowdown – and whether it’s even happening.For more information, read the show notes here.

Old technology stacks can be found throughout the sector, especially in companies that have been around for more than a few years. While most firms have undergone digital transformation of some kind, shedding legacy tech is no easy job and can lead people to take the path of least resistance, using a mix of old and new tech across their IT estate.This can lead to big issues down the line. A recent example is the outage that led to thousands of flights being cancelled and delayed across the United States, which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) blamed on accidental file deletion while updating a database. The authority is heavily-reliant on old systems, and has said it will take until 2029 to phase them out.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Ravi Mayuram, SVP of engineering and CTO at cloud database platform Couchbase, to discuss the challenges presented by legacy infrastructure, and why enterprises need to take the opportunity to upgrade before problems become entrenched.For more information, read the show notes here.

IT departments, which have long faced difficulties trying to recruit skilled talent, are now facing an additional challenge as many businesses put a freeze on hiring in the face of economic instability and look to use existing resources as efficiently as possible. With this goal in mind, it’s important to enable employees to be productive, while not leaving them overworked.Improperly organised work stacks, insufficient collaboration and a failure to adapt to changing work environments are all factors that can negatively impact productivity, and must be tackled from the planning stage to allow workplaces to thrive.In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Christian Lund, co-founder at productivity tech firm Templafy, to unpack concerns around productivity in the current landscape and how automation and AI can help to solve these problems.For more information, read the show notes here.

Application programming interfaces, or APIs, have become an integral part of maintaining an online business, and are often indispensable for cross-functionality and user experience.However, the increased use of APIs has led to a rise in attacks against them. This can in turn cause breaches of company data or even full account takeovers. Improperly-managed APIs are a key attack surface and firms would do well to treat this seriously as threat actors step up their efforts at exploitation.Today, we spoke to Yaniv Balmas, VP of security research at Salt Security, to discuss the risks that come with using APIs and how to mitigate against them.For more information, read the show notes here.

As we enter what is set to be a long recession businesses are looking to manage and reduce costs, and IT departments will be forced to budget where possible. More than ever, IT leaders are evaluating the benefits and drawbacks of serverless architecture, the best payment models for their business, and the risks associated with vendor lock-in amidst uncertain financial conditions.This week, we spoke to Tom Fairbairn, distinguished engineer at event broker Solace, to explore when serverless and low-code solutions might be right for a business, and how the recession could be an opportunity for meaningful digital transformation.For more information, read the show notes here.

Large companies are relying on online learning more and more, to improve the career goals of their employees, and upskilling can be an important way of retaining staff while adding to existing expertise.But the public sector has lagged behind the private sector on this front, and is currently experiencing record churn and vacancies. 410,000 staff quit social care in 2021, and care roles around the country are now short of approximately 165,000 staff.This week, we spoke to Hadi Moussa, general manager and managing director for EMEA at one of the largest online learning platforms, Coursera, to unpack how virtual upskilling courses can help improve staff retention in social care, as well as the prospects of roles within the sector.For more information, read the show notes here.

Passwords can be tricky at the best of times. Proper password hygiene is one of the most important factors in endpoint security, as it keeps sensitive data secure and prevents threat actors from getting into important systems. Despite the risks, the use of weak or recycled passwords continues to be a problem even amongst IT professionals and remembering too many unique passwords is a strain. While systems such as multi-factor authentication have been used as an extra layer of security, groups like the FIDO Alliance and World Wide Web Consortium have been working to make passwords a thing of the past, in favour of more secure methods.This week, we spoke to Richard Meeus, EMEA director of security & technology strategy for Akamai Technologies, to explore the solutions driving secure sign ons, and how the sector can adapt to this change.For more information, read the show notes here.

In today's festive edition of the podcast, Jane and Rory discuss a few key trends happening right now that could influence 2023. With Twitter undergoing constant change, and other firms such as Meta and TikTok facing regulatory battles, current conversations around the upheaval of social media could play a major role in the coming year. Together with the recession into which the UK has fallen, and the rise of generative AI like ChatGPT, these emerging trends from 2022 will continue to dominate headlines and drive discussion among IT professionals in the new year and beyond.For more information, read the show notes here.

In today's festive edition of the podcast, Jane and Rory discuss three things that were predicted to happen during the course of 2022, but never did.The metaverse making sense, Russian threat actors winning against Ukraine and other nations, and the 'bonfire' of EU regulations were all promised or anticipated, but none came to pass. We ask what has happened instead, and question why things turned out the way they did.For more information, read the show notes here.

In a sector of changing priorities, cyber security remains at the top of the list in any boardroom. With the threat landscape presenting challenges old and new, and the increasing risk of entities such as state-sponsored hacking, it is essential that businesses carefully craft their cyber security strategy to keep ahead of the next big attack.The speed that threats evolve now demands real-time action from companies, who must maintain oversight of their assets and maintain as many assets as possible against vulnerabilities such as Log4Shell.This week, we spoke to Bernard Montel, technical director EMEA at exposure management firm Tenable, to discuss how businesses can tackle their threat surface area, and the biggest risks.For more information, read the show notes here.

Hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure has become such an important aspect of digital transformation, but it brings its own potential risks. It’s important that businesses maintain a macro view of their environment, with centralised dashboards proposed as an option to provide adequate observability to security teams.With the increasing pressures of data sovereignty, and concerns surrounding lateral security, it’s more important than ever that siloed teams are brought together under clear security strategies in order to keep infrastructure safe.This week, we spoke to Stanimir Markov, CEO and co-founder of risk remediation and mitigation provider Runecast, about the state of cloud security, some of the biggest challenges right now, and what’s next for the sector.For more information, read the show notes here.

5G holds major potential for businesses, from improved speeds and the technology it enables such as the Internet of Things. But to unlock its true potential, and lay the groundwork for 6G, a number of new technologies have to be tapped. To grasp opportunities like open RAN, network slicing, and private network environments, radical overhaul is necessary, to drive both innovation and revenue growth. Networking has never been more important across every aspect of life, and telcos hold a unique opportunity to win tomorrow with the right infrastructure investments today.This week, we spoke to Manish Vyas, President, Communications, Media & Entertainment and CEO, Network Services at Tech Mahindra, to outline the future of the telecommunications industry, 5G/6G, and the opportunities provided by leading edge methodology.For more information, read the show notes here.

Ten years ago, identity fraud typically meant people manually forging, but today’s threat actors work with purely-digital fakes with an increasingly-advanced toolset including ‘deepfakes’ that work even on live video feeds. At the same time, Twitter advertisers have seen billions wiped off their market caps as the platform struggles with its ID verification. On top of the growing scale of digital fraudsters, a surprising amount of businesses are willing to let a small amount of fraud occur. Companies need to carefully plan how to avoid fraud, but more importantly learn from the experience of falling victim to scams.This week, we spoke to Mike Tuchen, CEO of identity tech firm Onfido, to discuss the current threat landscape, how the tech sector can match threatening tech with detection systems, and best practice going forward.For more information, read the show notes here.

Metaverse technology: although it still hasn’t found its feet, it’s the headline-grabbing area of development that has seen massive investment in just the past few years. Meta has spent over $15 billion on the tech through its Reality Labs division, and Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, and more have all begun development using variations on metaverse tech.But like any new technology, metaverse tech will also usher in new security risks, from innovative threat actors and existing vulnerabilities inherited by building this new frontier on legacy architecture.This week, we spoke to Rick McElroy, Principal Cyber Security Strategist at VMware, about the opportunities and challenges metaverse tech, and what we can do while it’s still in its infancy.For more information, read the show notes here.

Automation has been widely adopted across the sector, and firms have repeatedly applied it to laborious tasks such as document handling. Using machine learning and AI, a great number of documents can be processed, and decisions made without the need for painstaking human input. But automation in the legal space requires careful thought, as contracts can be very complex and often require a human touch — here, a hybrid approach is needed.This week, we spoke to Rich Somerfield, CTO at Summize, to explore the opportunity of automated workflows, and the demands of the legal sector when it comes to implementing tech of this kind.For more information, read the show notes here.

Procurement has long been treated as a ticketing problem, with check boxes to fill and suppliers to onboard according to regulation. But with increasingly sophisticated automation systems, and a growing need for exact partner agreements amidst global supply chain issues, companies could do well to rethink their linear approach to procurement.This week we talked to Sudhir Bhojwani and Lalitha Rajagopalan, co-founders of supplier engagement platform ORO Labs, about its ‘smart’ procurement strategy, and the place that automation has within the procurement workflow.For more information, visit:https://www.itpro.com/business-operations/logistics/369462/the-it-pro-podcast-how-can-we-make-procurement-smart

Facing the triple threat of supply issues, tough economic headwinds, and the climate crisis it’s vital that the supply chain can run at low cost, and with as little carbon footprint as possible. Implementation of smart ports using the internet of things and 5G could hold the answer.Using fast local networks, smart port tech can track crane movement, metrics such as operational speed and maintenance needs, and the location of resources in near real-time to provide valuable operational data. This week, we’re joined by Andrew Quinton, Senior Manager/Principal Architect of 5G solutions at BT to discuss all things smart ports and expand on the benefits already demonstrated in active port environments.For more information, visit:https://www.itpro.com/network-internet/internet-of-things-iot/369425/the-it-pro-podcast-the-power-of-smart-ports

Spurred on by the pandemic, digital transformation has become a core business aim for many companies both in and out of the tech sector. When it comes to handling data on a massive scale, especially when such data is sensitive, compliance is key. The insights from data analysis can be priceless for business growth, but require careful strategy in order to be properly implemented.This week, we talk to Nicola Wadham, Chief Information Officer at the Financial Ombudsman Service, about the specific digital transformation work she’s been leading, and the importance of properly streamlining data flow.For more information, visit:https://www.itpro.com/business/business-strategy/369364/the-it-pro-podcast-accelerating-digital-transformation

Fibre rollout appears to be going well, with the majority of UK homes and businesses able to access gigabit-capable broadband. But there is still much confusion around what exactly terms like ‘full fibre’ mean, and adoption still lags behind international partners even as businesses turn to greater bandwidths than ever before to undergo digital transformation.Moreover, many rural businesses aren’t being catered to by large network providers, and as they remain on copper lines, wonder if alternative providers might hold the keys to connectivity. This week, we talk to David Tomalin, Group Chief Technology Officer at CityFibre, to discuss the UK’s broadband infrastructure and what businesses can look to gain from the network in the near future.For more information, visit:https://www.itpro.com/infrastructure/network-internet/369324/the-it-pro-podcast-the-road-to-10gb-broadband

Businesses are rapidly having to contend with responding to the climate crisis, and the tech industry is set to become one of the biggest contributors to energy drain by the end of the decade. It is clear that sustainable software options are a goal, but many firms are reluctant to adopt lower-carbon systems out of concern for loss of power.Joining us this week is Behrad Babaee, Technology Evangelist at Aerospike, to talk about his proposals for a universal metric with which to measure the carbon output of software, and how it is possible to cut cost, latency and carbon emissions at the same time.Head to http://bit.ly/3rCN6Pn for more information.

Technology plays a vital role in helping government and public sector organisations respond to challenges and deliver services to the public, and in increased use of digital tools can unlock new capabilities and efficiencies. One somewhat unique example of this is the Welsh government, which must meet certain standards to ensure that the Welsh language is treated equally to English.As well as providing Welsh-language options in its apps and services, this also includes supporting Welsh speakers in meetings, and the Welsh government has been working with Microsoft on the ability to include live translation in Teams calls via human interpreters. Joining us this week to discuss the opportunities this provides for bilingual organisations, as well as how the Welsh government is using technology to enable its digital strategy, is Glyn Jones, Chief Digital Officer for the Welsh Government.Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-bilingual for more information.

The technological arsenal available to cyber criminals is already enough to give any security professional nightmares, but there’s another emerging threat on the horizon that may keep them up at night: bio-augmented hackers. Implantable chips and other modifications are growing in capability and sophistication, and there are a variety of creative ways that attackers can use them to carry out both physical and device-based attacks - This is made all the more concerning by the fact that these implants are all but impossible to detect. This week, we’re joined by CyberArk technical evangelist, white hat hacker and self-described transhumanist Len Noe to find out what kind of augmentations cyber criminals currently have access to, how can they be used in intrusions, and why the industry needs to start preparing for their implementation now - as well as some of the positive uses that this technology can be put to.For more information on these topics, visit https://bit.ly/ITPP-cyborg.

The global energy market is currently experiencing some extreme turmoil, with low availability resulting in steep price increases. The turbulence is particularly pronounced in the UK, where spiralling power bills are raising concerns for both consumers and businesses alike over whether or not they’ll be able to afford them. The IT industry isn’t exempt from these challenges; in fact, thanks to the extreme power usage that data centre infrastructure requires, the risk of further price rises should be extremely worrying for cloud service providers, as well as the end customers that rely on those services. This week, we talk to Tiny Haynes, Senior Director of Research at Gartner, about what the current energy crisis could mean for the UK’s data centre ecosystem, the risk of potential outages, and how organisations can insulate themselves from some of the potential damage.Head over to https://bit.ly/ITPP-energy for more information on these topics.

Phishing remains one of the oldest and most persistent attack methods for hackers trying to break into an organisation, and potential targets continue to use simulated phishing attacks as one of the primary ways to ensure their staff are ready to defend against it. However, these spoof attacks aren’t always well-recieved, and employees can frequently feel unfairly trapped or caught out by these tests. Appearing on this week’s podcast to discuss why phishing simulations are often so poorly received, the value that they offer as part of a wider security strategy and how organisations can deploy them more effectively is Paul Watts, ex-CISO, former IT Pro Panellist, and distinguished analyst for the Information Security Forum.Check out https://bit.ly/3RKD0UB for more details.

Five years ago, the security world was rocked by one of the most sudden and widespread ransomware outbreaks in history. Even now, organisations are still recovering from the damage done by WannaCry, and its shadow still looms large over the industry.While ransomware has remained a major threat for organisations over the last half-decade, we haven’t seen anything as globally impactful as WannaCry since then - so what (if anything) has the industry learned from the incident, and are we likely to see anything on a similar scale again? IEEE senior member and professor of cybersecurity at Ulster University Kevin Curran joins us this week to talk about the legacy of WannaCry.Visit https://bit.ly/ITPP-wannacry for more information on this subject.

The tech industry has been forced to weather more than its fair share of storms over the past few years, but one of the most troublesome to navigate has been the ongoing issues in the semiconductor supply chain. The situation has resulted in delays, shortages and missed revenue targets for companies across a range of industries, and has prompted government intervention across the globe.There are a number of factors behind the disruptions to the chip supply chain, and although measures are being taken to mitigate their impact, the crunch is set to continue. We’re joined on this week’s podcast by Ondrej Burkacky, Senior Partner at McKinsey’s semiconductor practice, to explain some of the reasons behind the crisis, as well as what’s being done to resolve the situation.Check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-chips for more information on the subjects discussed in this episode.

There is a vast universe of threats facing modern businesses, from opportunistic lone hackers and organised criminal gangs, to state-backed intelligence units working for nations such as Russia and China. Attempting to divine which of these groups is behind a given cyber attack has almost become an industry in and of itself, with numerous tools being leveraged by analysts and researchers to assign blame.But is there any actual value for businesses in knowing exactly which individuals are responsible for cyber crimes targeting them? Outside of law enforcement organisations attempting to bring the perpetrators to justice, what do we gain from the process of cyber threat attribution? We’re joined this week by Don Smith, Vice President of SecureWorks' counter-threat intelligence unit, to learn more about the clues that can inform attribution, and whether or not CISOs and security professionals need to worry about it in the first place.Check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-attribution for more information on all the topics we've mentioned in this week's episode.

AI is increasingly working its way into organisations’ main IT environments, and as a cutting-edge field that relies heavily on technology infrastructure to run effectively, you might assume that IT would be enthusiastic supporters - but this isn’t always the case.In fact, far from being bosom buddies, in many instances IT and AI practitioners can find themselves locked in turf wars and disputes over support and resourcing. In this episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we sit down with Nvidia’s director of technical product marketing Luke Wignall, to discuss some of the root causes of these conflicts, and how the two groups can learn to play nicely together.For more information on everything discussed in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-coexist.

Collaboration is a fundamental part of success in modern business, but while most (although not all) businesses are well-versed in the ways of collaborating within their teams, not all organisations are as confident when it comes to sharing knowledge and ideas with their peers in other organisations.One group that has absolutely nailed this, however, is developers and IT professionals. These workers have a long history of collective problem-solving and cooperation, enabled by tools like StackOverflow. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by StackOverflow CEO Prashanth Chandrasekar to find out what exactly makes devs so open to working together - and what other areas of the business can learn from their example to improve their own collaboration practices.Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-dev-collab to find out more about the topics discussed in this episode.

Five years can be a very long time in the world of technology, and looking back the changes to our hardware over that period can be stark. In this podcast, presented in association with Dell Technologies, we will compare new laptops to those we were using half a decade before, exploring the development in functionality, speed, battery life and more, and how those are supporting and enabling the way businesses operate today and tomorrow.

If you want to share your thoughts on how we can improve the IT Pro Podcast, please head over to https://bit.ly/ITPPsurvey to fill out our short survey form. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in a few weeks.

Singapore’s dominance in the data centre market, helped in no small part by the country’s keen investment in technology, is undeniable. But, for one of the smallest countries in the world, what are the ramifications of such a large investment and what can businesses learn from Singapore’s approach to tech?This week, Adam Shepherd is joined by IT Pro Staff Writer and our resident APAC specialist Zach Marzouk, who explains exactly why Singapore is such an interesting case study for national tech strategies and what’s next for the ambitious country.

Running a small business has always been a demanding task, but recent circumstances - from the coronavirus pandemic to the advent of Brexit - have come together to make it more challenging than ever before. An increasing number of SMBs, however, are turning to technologies such as cloud and AI to help address these issues.This week, we’re joined by Aaron Harris, CTO for UK-based cloud financial software firm Sage, to talk about the state of the UK’s small-business market, the role technology plays in keeping it as resilient as possible, and how SMBs can make the most effective use of their IT.Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-SMB for more information in the topics discussed in this episode.

Building an application from scratch isn’t exactly easy. Startups wishing to create a digital platform for their business will need to contend with technical recruitment, infrastructure choices and the numerous headaches inherent in the development process. However, even once your platform has been built, the struggle still isn’t over.As your business grows, your platform will need to scale too, and managing this process without reinventing your architecture from the ground up can be challenging. This week, we’re speaking to Avinash Gangadharan, CTO of car-sharing startup Turo, to find out more about the company’s approach to platform scaling, and how he addressed some of the challenges it presented.For more on these issues, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-scale.

Technologies like IoT, AI and big data analytics have been forecast to have enormous impacts across a variety of sectors, and one industry that's particularly ripe for transformation is the manufacturing sector. With a huge amount of operational and IT complexity to manage, factories and supply chains can benefit from digitisation in a number of ways.The process of transforming a factory through digital technology is a complex one, with many moving parts, but the combination of modern cloud platforms and data-driven methodologies has enormous potential to enhance business efficiency. One organisation pursuing this efficiency is Apollo Tyres, and this week, we’re joined by Apollo’s chief digital officer Hizmy Hassen to discuss the company’s efforts, as well as the early results that it’s seen from the project.Check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-factory for more information on the topics discussed in this episode.

The spectre of so-called ‘planned obsolescence’ has been hovering around the tech industry for years, with quasi-conspiracy theories claiming that manufacturers intentionally cripple their own products after a certain period in order to coax customers into purchasing an upgrade. However, while the comparatively short lifespan of most tech products remains a bone of contention among users, this may be less sinister plot and more a natural result of the industry’s relentless pursuit of better specs and slimmer dimensions. This week, we’re looking at the factors affecting the lifespan of hardware, as well as what you can do to make your devices last that bit longer.Check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-Obsolescence for more information on the topics discussed in this episode.

The question of whether we need to go back to the office has a polarising one, and one of the main arguments for reopening traditional workspaces has been that some employees aren’t equipped for efficient or comfortable home working. Hybrid working isn’t going anywhere though, and just a few minor tweaks can make your home environment much more suitable for remote working.This week, we’re discussing our dream remote working setups, including our top tips for maximising the productivity of your space, essential items for working on the move, and whether employers should provide staff with additional equipment to enable home working.Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-perfect for more information on the topics in this episode.

At this point, it should be clear that remote working is here to stay, but while we've all hopefully sorted out proper working spaces with all the laptops, keyboards, monitors and video conferencing equipment that we need to work effectively from home, one element that often gets overlooked is networking.With cloud and SaaS platforms becoming more vital than ever for modern business, a robust network infrastructure is now just as vital for the home as it is for the office. This week, we're talking to PC Pro associate editor and co-host of the PC Pro Podcast, Darien Graham-Smith, to find out how you can turbo-charge your home network connection, and why it's worth taking the time to audit your infrastructure. For more information on the topics covered in this week's episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-supercharge

In the modern world, AI is everywhere, powering a variety of applications from enterprise business intelligence tools to sorting through photos of our pets. But as the technology becomes more and more widespread, concerns have been raised about the potential dangers that could be posed by unrestrained AI development. Calls have been intensifying from campaigners seeking guardrails on how AI systems are developed, and the kind of use-cases they’re applied to, with opponents arguing that legislation governing AI development would only stifle innovation. Joining us this week to discuss the feasibility of AI regulation, the need for AI codes of practice and the responsibility of organisations to ensure ethical development is Cindi Howson, chief data strategy officer for analytics software vendor ThoughtSpot.Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-regs for more information on the topics covered in this week's episode.

Transforming a business isn’t an easy task at the best of times; organisational inertia, complicated project timelines and budgetary constraints are all among the obstacles that an incoming IT leader will have to deal with when trying to enact their vision. It’s even more challenging, however, when that business is still using technology that’s several decades out of date. This week, we’re talking to Rita Bullivant, director of IT and change for Melton Building Society, about her experiences with modernising a legacy organisation, the challenges involved in building a transformation programme from the ground up, and what to do with a business that still uses Lotus Notes.To find out more about the topics discussed in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-ground.

The lucrative rewards of the tech industry are enticing a growing number of people into the industry, but while degrees in computer science and software engineering remain widely popular, there are many different ways to prove your credentials as a budding developer - and spending three to four years being taught the fundamentals in the classroom may not necessarily be the most effective.In fact, for those wanting to make a career for themselves as a developer, the best strategy may be to learn the basics and then get stuck in directly, either through an entry-level apprenticeship or by launching your own projects. We’re joined this week by Rob Zuber, CTO of DevOps provider CircleCI, to discuss the value of some of the less traditional routes into the industry, and the skills that set truly good developers apart.Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-devs for more information.

MWC is back; after a few years in hibernation, the trade show has once again opened its doors to the mobile industry, with thousands of exhibitors and attendees flocking to Barcelona to check out the latest products and technologies. This year’s show saw everything from new laptops and smartphones, to developments in network infrastructure and wireless standards. Bobby Hellard and Sabina Weston join us this week to share some of the most interesting things they saw at the show, including Qualcomm’s first Wi-Fi 7 chip, a new all-in-one from Huawei, and a charger that can fill your phone up in just a few minutes.For more information on all the things we spoke about in this episode, check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-MWC22.

Climate change is one of the greatest threats that humanity faces, and it’s important for each of us to do what we can in fighting its impact. However, while pledging to use our cars less and turn off our appliances overnight is all very well, organisations and industries also need to enact policies to limit and manage their own carbon footprints.One of the biggest sources of energy consumption within the modern business world is data centres, estimated to contribute as much as the global air travel industry in terms of carbon emissions. Ongoing efforts are being made to reduce the environmental impact of data centres, though, and there are a number of ways in which organisations can ensure their data centres are as green as possible. We’re joined this week by Matt Pullen, executive vice president and managing director of data centre operator CyrusOne, to discuss some of these initiatives, as well as some top tips for reducing your data centre’s carbon footprint. For more information on these topics, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-green.

When you’re working on a large-scale software development project - especially as part of a sizable enterprise business - it’s easy for the project’s original goals to become muddied over time. As the goalposts shift further and further from their starting point, timelines can slip and the efficiency of the project can be undermined. This kind of scope creep can be seriously damaging for organisations, but thankfully the software engineering community has been hard at work for years on strategies to help limit its spread within organisations. Returning to the podcast this week to discuss some of these strategies - as well as how scope creep can sometimes be beneficial - is Jess Cregg, developer advocate at LaunchDarkly.Check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-creep for more information.

It seems that in the world of modern IT, you can’t swing a cat-6 cable without hitting four or five cloud-based platforms that are trying to revolutionise business communication. Despite the rise of platforms like Slack, Teams, Zoom and more, however, emails remain by far the most widely-used method of professional communication.In this week’s episode, we take a look at why this comparatively ancient technology still persists so widely, as well as the advantages that it offers over newer platforms, and what inspiration they can take from it. For more details on everything we've spoken about in this episode, head over to https://bit.ly/ITPP-emails.

Ocado’s colourful delivery vans are a common sight on the streets of Britain, but what’s slightly less well-known is that the company’s deliveries are powered by some of the most cutting-edge technology in the retail and logistics sector, including advanced AI, robotics, and data analytics.Joining us for this week’s episode is James Donkin, CTO of Ocado Technology, to discuss how the company deploys microservices and cloud infrastructure to help its clients deliver faster and more accurate orders to their customers, as well as the impact that these technologies could have on the future of retail.Visit https://bit.ly/ITPP-market for more information on today's episode.

Automation has been a trend in business for decades, but with the advent of cloud-powered low-code no-code tools, the benefits are now within reach of even the smallest organisations. Businesses are increasingly making use of the tools to reduce their reliance on paper processes, speed up manual tasks through intelligent workflows, and extract more value from their data.In this episode, we hear from Paul McFarlane, CTO of Glasgow Credit Union, to find out how deploying business automation tools within the company’s lending business allowed it to achieve significant growth without increasing headcount, as well as offering faster loan approvals, and navigating the disruptions of COVID-19.For more information, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-automate.

Cyber attacks are something that every business worries about on a near-constant basis - but while DDoS attacks may not make it onto many CISOs lists of the most worrying threats, they remain one of the most prevalent types of attack - partly because they’re dangerously easy to launch.The scale and speed with which DDoS attacks can be launched is lowering all the time, too, thanks to the spread of IoT-driven botnets and the rise of DDoS-as-a-service vendors. One of the companies on the front line of defending against this threat is Cloudflare, and in this episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we’re joined by Cloudflare CTO John Graham-Cumming to discuss the tactics used to mount these attacks, and why they’re never really going to go away.Check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-DDOS for more information on everything in this episode.

We've all been guilty of taking the odd shortcut to get things done a bit faster at work, but while these time-saving tactics can sometimes introduce risk into organisations, they're also a fundamental part of human nature. With this in mind, organisations must define an acceptable level of risk for their operations, and use the right tools to ensure that the corners staff are cutting aren't in potentially problematic areas.In this IT Pro Podcast Special Edition, brought to you in association with Iron Mountain, we're joined by Phil Shepley, the company's vice president and general manager of Northern Europe, to discuss the most common workplace risks, how they affect businesses, and how organisations can use technology to better manage their risk profile.

CES is one of the highlights of the tech calendar, kicking off every year with a cavalcade of new products, interesting announcements and innovative startups all vying to get noticed. While the spectre of COVID continued to loom over this year’s proceedings, there was still a veritable buffet of things to see at the show.This week, we’re joined by PC Pro editor in chief and co-host of the PC Pro Podcast Tim Danton, who was on the ground in Las Vegas for CES 2022. We discuss some of the most interesting tech from the show floor, as well as some of the more significant announcements, and what they say about the future of innovation.Check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-CES22 for more information on everything we've spoken about in this episode.

Over the last five years, AMD has clawed its way up from being an also-ran in the processor market to a genuine competitor for the crown, making a convincing bid to unseat longtime frontrunner Intel from the top spot. But with both manufacturers in the process of launching new architecture generations, who’s coming out on top?This week, we’re joined by Laptop Mag editor in chief and co-host of the Noise Cancelling podcast Sherri L Smith to discuss the latest announcements from Intel and AMD, as well as the state of the laptop market and what it all means for the future of hardware innovation.For more information on everything we've talked about this week, go to https://bit.ly/ITPP-vs.

The holidays are almost over, and many of our listeners will doubtless be preparing to return to work next week. It’s been an interesting year, to say the least, but as we bid farewell to 2021, the time has come to turn our gaze forward to look at what the next 12 months have in store. In our last episode of 2021, we’re joined by staff writers Connor Jones, Bobby Hellard and Sabina Weston to share our predictions for the biggest trends of 2022, and the potential impact that they could have on the world of tech and IT, including vaccine passports, the fall of Meta, and the rise of the four-day week.To read more about all of the stories we've spoken about this week, head over to https://bit.ly/ITPP-2022.

2020 was one of the most eventful years in recent memory, but while 2021 was a bit less chaotic than its predecessor, it was no less eventful in the world of tech and IT. There has been a slew of major announcements, product updates and policy shifts over the last twelve months, and as things start to wrap up for the holidays, we’re looking back at the most significant changes.Joining us this week are staff writers Bobby Hellard and Connor Jones, who’ll be sharing their picks for the most important stories and trends of 2021, and discussing the impact they’ve had for businesses over the year.

As technological innovations go, 5G is possibly one of the most widely-hyped examples of the last decade. Promising to enable everything from smart cities to rural broadband, it’s been hailed as a generational leap forward for connectivity. But what role does cloud have to play in this utopian future?In this week’s episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we talk to Eric van Vliet. Dell's EMEA head of telecom market development, to find out how cloud platforms are supporting the development and rollout of 5G infrastructure, and how 5G can accelerate the creation of new cloud services.For more information, visit https://bit.ly/ITPP-5Gcloud.

Container technology has gone from a niche, experimental application and infrastructure tool to a cornerstone of modern IT transformation - but its explosion in popularity has resulted in a corresponding demand for skilled professionals to manage these deployments. Kubernetes certifications are particularly sought after, and holding one is almost a licence to print money for IT professionals.With the market for Kubernetes skills hotter than ever before, we’re joined this week by OpenUK CEO Amanda Brock to discuss why it’s become so popular, what this says about IT transformation in the UK, and how organisations can make sure they don’t fall into the Kubernetes skills gap.Head through to https://bit.ly/ITPP-certs to find out more about all of the issues we've spoken about in this week's episode.

Public sector organisations have a reputation for being somewhat behind the times when it comes to IT transformation, frequently hampered by tight budgets and Byzantine bureaucratic procurement procedures. However, while this reputation isn’t entirely unwarranted, the reasons behind it aren’t as straightforward as they might appear. In this week’s episode, we’re looking at why public sector technology tends to lag behind the cutting edge, as well as what steps might be taken to give public sector technologists more room to innovate, and we’re joined by HPE’s senior vice president and UK MD, Marc Waters.Head over to https://bit.ly/ITPP-gov to find out more about all of the topics we've spoken about in this week's episode.

Burnout is a major problem within the IT industry. Technology professionals are frequently overworked and under-resourced, and the buildup of unmanaged workplace stress can have severe consequences for both the mental and physical health of workers. While some stress is unavoidable - particularly in fast-paced industries like IT - there are ways that managers and employers can help their staff avoid burning themselves out.This week, we’re joined by Karen Worstell, senior cyber security strategist at VMware and former CISO for Microsoft and AT&T, to discuss her own experiences of dealing with burnout, as well as how to spot the warning signs of an impending crisis and how to address the problem.Find out more about all the topics covered in this episode by heading over to https://bit.ly/ITPP-burnout.

The growth of major tech companies over the last decade has been seemingly unstoppable, but as organisations like Facebook, Microsoft and Google work their way ever deeper into our lives, the US government has set its sights on curtailing the worst of their perceived excesses. A number of bills have been introduced by both parties to try and limit their power in areas like data portability, market consolidation and self-regulation.But why are lawmakers so up in arms about the conduct of tech companies? What behaviour has prompted this? And do these bills have any real chance of slowing tech companies growth, or will they die on the floor of the house? In this week’s episode, Zach Marzouk and Justin Cupler return to discuss the US’ current slate of anti-monopoly legislation, and what it could mean for the country’s business climate.Head to https://bit.ly/itpp-monopoly to find out more about all the topics covered in this episode.

The cloud has built its success on the idea that it’s an easy route to cutting costs and reducing large-scale capital expenses, and while that can be true, the economic realities of moving to the cloud can often leave businesses with a bigger bill than they expected. In this IT Pro Podcast Special Edition, produced in association with Wasabi, we look at how much a cloud migration project really costs, the hidden fees that can catch unprepared organisations out, and how IT managers can optimise their multi-cloud architecture for long-term financial benefit.

Technical debt is one of the most dreaded concepts in enterprise IT; CIOs constantly struggle to stay on top of their technical debt and prevent it from accumulating out of control, and the knowledge that all of your shortcuts are going to catch up with you at some point is enough to keep any engineer awake at night. However, technical debt doesn’t always have to be bad, and there are ways for organisations to manage its growth in a sustainable way. This week, we’re joined by Fastly’s chief product architect Sean Leach to explore why technical debt is so feared, the potential impact it can have, and even how organisations can use it to their advantage.For links to everything we've covered in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-debt.

We’ve all felt that sinking feeling, after our favourite operating system or piece of software gets a new update and we realise that the layout has changed and half the features don’t work like they used to. But why do we get so attached to our applications, and why do we find it so irksome when they change?In this week’s episode of the IT Pro Podcast, staff writer Bobby Hellard joins us to discuss the painful process of accepting updates, including why it’s more difficult for organisations in certain industries, which companies are the worst culprits for making unpopular changes, and how organisations can ease the process of transitioning to new tools.For more information on all the topics we've discussed in this episode, visit https://bit.ly/ITPP-goodbye.

Whether it’s a SaaS tool, a product or even just a website, every IT team has to manage some form of customer-facing software. However, while it can be tempting to focus all the attention on the platforms that bring in the bacon, it’s equally important for IT teams to remember their internal customers; the colleagues that rely on IT to do their jobs.In this week’s episode, we learn about some of the challenges of managing the internal IT of VMware, one of the industry’s largest companies. We’re joined by global CIO Jason Conyard to discuss how VMware approaches internal tooling, why the IT team doesn’t always use VMware products, and the role that smell-o-vision plays in the company’s VR experiments.Check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-champagne for more information on the topics we've spoken about in this week's episode.

It’s fair to say that the US has a lot on its plate when it comes to cyber security. Criminal organisations and foreign operatives continue to find new ways to attack public businesses and private citizens, and as digital technology becomes more and more essential for everyday life, cyber attacks on critical infrastructure are becoming an increasingly troubling prospect.As digital aggression from countries like Russia and China becomes more of a concern, the question emerges as to whether the US military’s cyber division needs to respond in kind. This week, we’re joined by IT Pro’s US managing editor Justin Cupler and staff writer Zach Marzouk to discuss the prospect of a more aggressive US cyber strategy, and what impact it could have on the country’s safety.For more information on the topics discussed in this video, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-cyber.

Ever since the UK left the EU, data protection has been a hot topic. On the one side government officials on one side argue that current rules are unnecessarily restrictive, while on the other privacy campaigners maintain that any changes to legislation could make it harder for organisations to do business with EU partners.The solution to this conflict may lie in reinterpreting how we think about GDPR, rather than revising the regulations themselves. The UK’s Data and Marketing Association has suggested that GDPR codes of conduct could be a way to clarify the rules without having to water them down. We’re joined this week by DMA CEO Chris Combemale to discuss this idea, as well as the potential impact the government’s proposed changes to UK data protection laws could have on businesses.To find out more about this week's topics, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-DMA.

There was a time when an IT leader’s primary responsibility was managing tin, making sure that an organisation’s servers were kept up and running with little or no thought spared to how the rest of the business was using it. Those days are past now, and the modern CIO’s priorities have shifted. IT is now about business outcomes, and CIOs increasingly don’t care what their applications are running on, as long as they’re delivering value.In this IT Pro Podcast Special Edition, presented in association with Dell Technologies, we’ll look at the shift from a hardware-centric model to outcome-driven IT. We examine the business trends that have prompted this shift, the technologies that are enabling it, and what it could mean for the future of the data centre.

Getting hit with a large-scale cyber attack is a nightmare scenario for many IT leaders. Repairing the damage caused by hackers once they’ve infiltrated your system can be both expensive and time-consuming, and the post-breach fallout can be extremely challenging to deal with. But while the technical impact an attack like this can have is one thing, we often overlook the effect it has on the individuals who have to respond to it. Long nights, extreme pressure and high levels of stress are all hallmarks of real-world incident response, and for the teams mobilised to deal with a breach, the experience can often be traumatic.This week, the IT Pro Podcast sits down with Solarwinds CISO Tim Brown and CEO Sudhakar Ramakrishna to dig into one of the most serious and wide ranging attacks of the decade. We find out what it was actually like in the days and weeks following the attack on its Orion platform last year, and how the company’s incident response teams coped with one of the most severe security events in its history. We also discuss what it was like for Ramakrishna joining the company in the immediate wake of the incident, and how he rebuilt trust in Solarwinds’ partners and resiliency in its IT.For more information on all of the issues we've spoken about this week, head over to https://bit.ly/ITPP-Solarwinds

This week marks the 100th episode of the IT Pro Podcast, and to celebrate the occasion, we’ve got a special bumper episode where we’ll be looking back over the last 100 years of technological development. We examine the inventions that have led up to the present day, the impact that they’ve had, and how current innovations may impact the future. Join us as we discuss the birth of Silicon Valley, the world’s first internet service providers and the explosion of mobile technology, along with much more. We’d also like to thank you for your continued support. We love bringing you these weekly podcasts, and we’re looking forward to the next hundred episodes. For more information on all of the topics we've spoken about today, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-100.

In a lot of cases, being an IT admin is as much about prioritisation as anything else, and the mantra ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is one that many technology professionals swear by. However, this approach leaves organisations at risk of having to suddenly fix critical errors with little notice.This is why many businesses have adopted observability, deepening the monitoring of their applications and infrastructure in order to detect potential issues before they become critical. In this week’s IT Pro Podcast episode, we speak to Greg Ouillon, CTO of New Relic, about why observability has become so popular, the challenges it addresses and why it’s being used for more than just IT maintenance.For more details on the topics discussed in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-observability.

The average smartphone tends to look fairly unassuming, but recently, foldable phones have injected a bit of diversity into the market. These eye-catching new devices include foldable screens, and are aimed at businesspeople and power users.But do foldable phones represent a genuine step forward for mobile technology, or are they simply a passing trend that will be swiftly forgotten? In this week’s episode, we dig into what makes foldable phones so unique, and look at whether or not they deserve a place in our pockets.Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-foldable for more information on these topics and more.

In the business world, we often talk about ‘climbing the career ladder’ - and the unspoken implication is that everyone wants to eventually reach the top. In most organisations, this means ascending to some form of senior management or executive role, but what about those that would rather stay where they are?For many IT professionals, reaching a certain level of seniority results in graduating from managing technology to managing people, but the two roles require considerably different skillsets, and good technologists do not always make good leaders. In this week’s episode, we look at the question of whether IT teams should be managed by people with technical skills, as well as examining why technical staff end up with management responsibilities and asking whether it’s possible to stay out of senior management without sacrificing progression and compensation.Head over to https://bit.ly/ITPP-managers for more information on these topics.

For many IT professionals, the decision to move from a permanent position to a contractor or consultant role has given them more flexibility, better earning potential and a healthier work-life balance. There are those, however, who use legal loopholes to prey on IT contractors, lining their own pockets by cheating both them and HMRC out of rightful earnings.In this episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we’re joined by James Poyser, InniAccounts CEO and founder of OffPayroll.org, to discuss the role that umbrella companies play in the IT industry, and why regulation is needed to stop unscrupulous umbrellas from dipping their hands into the cookie jar.For more information on these topics, check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-umbrella.

We all know how drastically COVID has up-ended normal working practices. Organisations had to radically rethink their strategies around digital business, remote working and much more. But after 18 months of breakneck digital transformation, what happens now?In this episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we’re looking at whether organisations should continue building on the efforts of the last year, or whether it’s time to step back and take a break from digital transformation.To learn more, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-stagnate.

In the modern world, digital skills are absolutely essential, but if you don’t have access to technology, developing those skills is easier said than done. We’ve covered the UK’s growing digital divide in previous episodes, but this week, we’re looking at how one MSP is partnering with London-based charity CC Foundation to help close this gap by providing young people with access to digital devices, mentoring and apprenticeship opportunities.This week, Totality Services co-founder Luis Navarro talks to us about his work with the charity, why he’s so passionate about the role of young people in the modern IT industry, and how organisations can help open the eyes of more kids to the possibilities of a career in tech.For more information on this subject, head over to https://bit.ly/ITPP-libraries.

The healthcare sector is under a great deal of pressure right now, but while the pandemic has been a challenging time, it’s also led to an explosion in the adoption of digital healthcare tools. IT transformation is having a profound effect on the industry, as new technologies are revolutionising not just how care is delivered, but also how clinicians can track and even predict potential problems.In this episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we talk to Diana Kennedy, CTO of global healthcare provider Bupa, about how the organisation is using a combination of data analysis, modern cloud architectures and API ecosystems to deliver personalised healthcare to its customers, and what recent technological developments could mean for the future of the industry.Head over to https://bit.ly/ITPP-health to find out more about all the topics we've discussed on this week's show.

From talking to our friends to getting through our daily workload, there’s very little in modern life that doesn’t depend on the internet in some capacity. But while that’s all very well for most of us, a significant number of people in the UK have little or no access to the internet, and this can be a major problem for issues like skills, employment and more.This problem has not gone unnoticed, however, and efforts are underway to help close this element of the digital divide. One potential technology that could offer a solution is 5G, and in this week’s episode, we’re joined by Cisco’s UK CTO Chintan Patel to discuss how this new technology can be deployed to help address the issue, some of the potential pitfalls, and why government and the private sector need to work together to ensure that in the rush for digital transformation, no-one is left behind.Check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-5G2 for more information on these topics.

Cricket may have something of an old-fashioned reputation, with its genteel attire and somewhat languid pace, but just like every other sport, it’s in the process of being revolutionised by increasing use of digital technologies and data. Nowhere is this more evident than in Australia, where cricket remains an almost universal passion.In this week’s episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we talk to Michael Osborne, general manager of technology for Cricket Australia, to find out how the organisation - in collaboration with technology partner HCL - is using data to support volunteers, develop players and connect with fans of the game.For more information on the topics discussed in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-cricket.

On receiving the news that their planned apprenticeship had fallen through, most teenagers would probably sulk for a bit, and then start looking for jobs in a pub or a supermarket. What they probably wouldn’t do is decide to go it alone, opening up their own network maintenance company to help people boost their broadband.Nevertheless, that’s exactly what Sam O’Rourke did. He joins us this week to talk about what inspired him to launch his own company, the difficulties of starting a new business amidst COVID-19, and why he thinks college is the wrong way to get into technology.To find out more about these topics, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-East.

An inclusive workplace isn’t just about supporting people of different genders, sexual orientations or races. Almost 20% of the UK has some form of disability, and it’s important to make sure that our offices, applications and services are set up in a way that is accessible to these people.There are many reasons why this is a good idea; aside from being a legal requirement and a moral imperative, it can bring usability and productivity improvements for all your staff and customers, not just those with impairments. Joining us this week to discuss accessibility tech, digital inclusion and the benefits that it can bring to your organisation is Robin Christopherson, head of digital inclusion at UK charity AbilityNet.You can get in touch with AbilityNet by calling 0800 04 876 42, or emailing inquiries@abilitynet.org.uk. For links to everything we've spoken about in this episode, check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-accessibility.

Data is taking on an increasingly important role within organisations around the world, but IT leaders have traditionally struggled to make staff truly understandable or engage with analytics and business intelligence. There are many options for how to approach this particular challenge, but for Nationwide’s business intelligence team, the answer lies in building a culture of self-service data consumption.This week, we’re talking to the leader of Nationwide’s business intelligence solutions Centre of Excellence, Richard Speigal, to find out how data literacy programmes and a federated model are helping the organisation’s staff to adopt data specialisations within their own teams - as well as how BI divisions can embed some of these practices into their own workflows.For more information on all these topics and more, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-BI.

Organisations all over the world are currently grappling with the challenges of how to adapt their culture to a new hybrid-first model. While many potential solutions have been posited, one organisation is taking a somewhat different approach; distributed HR platform Remote.com has turned to virtual reality technology to unite its employees, not just for meetings and brainstorms, but for social and team-building events.This week, we’re joined by Remote’s director of people, Nadia Vatalidis, to explain how the company’s using VR to bring its workforce together without having to rely on video calls. We discuss some of the challenges of rolling out VR collaboration across a business, as well as the advantages it has brought.For links to everything we've discussed in this week's show, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-VR2.

Cloud is no longer an emerging trend; it’s now been a fixture of business IT for more than a decade. But with the home working revolution firmly cementing SaaS and IaaS tools as a cornerstone of today’s IT strategy, what’s next for cloud computing?This week, we’re joined by Tim Hancock, head of cloud and managed service at UK tech consultancy BJSS, to discuss how the cloud is going to evolve over the coming years, and how prepared UK businesses are to take advantage of these new evolutions.For links to all the topics discussed in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-next.

When it launched Windows 10, Microsoft promised us the “last Windows”. Six years later, however, the company has reconsidered its position and brought out Windows 11. With its latest operating system promising a new look, an overhauled app store and new cloud integrations, we finally know what the new successor to Windows 10 has in store for users. Join us in this bonus episode of the IT Pro Podcast to discuss all things Windows 11, including key features, what it has to offer businesses, and whether even diehard Mac and Linux users might be tempted to give it a spin.Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-Win11 for more information.

The growing field of AI development has brought us many wonderful advances, but one of the areas in which it’s becoming most visible is customer service. Chatbots have now become so ubiquitous that it’s often difficult to get through to a real person at all.However, while chatbots are faster and more convenient than a human operator in theory, the reality is often somewhat less than ideal. In this episode, we’re exploring why chatbots can be so frustrating to interact with, how to make them more useful, and the role they’ll play in future of customer experience.Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-bots for links to all the topics we've mentioned in this week's episode.

For many years, the tech industry has been complaining about a shortage of technical skills in areas from cloud platforms to container architectures. But while the tech skills gap remains a persistent concern, there is another skills shortage that’s being overlooked by businesses.The UK is falling behind in its level of ‘human-centric’ business skills, according to a new report, including HR and communications. As organisations seek to outfit themselves for a largely uncharted world of hybrid working, we’re joined by Anthony Tattersall, head of EMEA at online training provider Coursera, to examine whether we’re in danger of putting too much focus on STEM skills, and how companies can avoid over-correcting.Check out http://bit.ly/ITPP-skill for links to everything we've discussed in this week's episode.

Hacking, ransomware attacks and other forms of cybercrime have become a fact of life in the modern age, but while the rates of these attacks have drastically increased, the ability of law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice seems to be lagging behind somewhat. Even when suspects are caught, it’s rare for cases to result in convictions.There are a number of factors that contribute to this, including the sophistication of modern anonymisation tools, police resource constraints and jurisdictional difficulties. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Jake Moore, ESET cyber security specialist and former digital forensic investigator, to discuss why this is such a problem, and how police can work with the security industry to help solve it.Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-convict for more details about all the topics we've referenced in today's episode.

One of the most persistent goals in business IT over the past twenty years has been to reach the mythical nirvana of the ‘paperless office’ - a utopia in which paper-based workflows are ditched in favour of digitising documents and records. However, despite the continuing sophistication of scanning and digital document management technology, this goal remains elusive.But why does paper still hold sway over elements of modern business? This week, we’re looking at why the idea of a paperless office remains so attractive, the practical considerations holding it back, and the reasons why a truly paperless office is likely to remain a pipe dream.Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-paper for more information on the topic in this episode.

Space exploration is currently in the midst of a renaissance, with more and more private companies and national governments launching test flights, satellites and probes. Just recently, scientists generated oxygen on Mars, and flew a remote helicopter over its surface. But what will these advances in space exploration mean for those of us stuck here on earth? The space race of the 60s led to many innovations that we still use today – including LASIK, cordless vacuums and even OpenStack – so what technology could the race for Mars bring us? This week, we’re joined by Paul Kostek, advisory systems engineer with Base2 Solutions and IEEE senior member, to find out what developments the future of space travel could bring us.For more details on the topics discussed in this episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-space.

For the past decade, we’ve been assured that biometric security is the future, and that soon we’ll be able to do away with traditional forms of identification and authentication in favour of using our faces, fingerprints and even voices. However, while biometric technology is certainly more common than it was in 2010, the promised revolution hasn’t quite materialised. We still have to rely on PINs and passwords for many of our transactions (both financial and otherwise) and biometric authentication is still largely limited to mobile devices. So what’s next for the technology? In this episode, we talk to Steven Furnell, senior IEEE member and professor of cyber security at the University of Nottingham, about where biometric security is going.For links to everything we've spoken about in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-biometrics.

More and more employees now use their own personal devices for work, and 2020 saw a particular spike in this behaviour. But what many people don’t know is that your employer is legally entitled to monitor your activity on any device that you use to do your job.This raises a number of thorny issues, such as where the line is between security and surveillance, and whether it’s a violation of employee’s privacy to keep tabs on what they’re doing with their phone or PC. In this week’s episode, we speak to Kevin Curran, senior IEEE member and professor of cybersecurity at Ulster University, to get his take on these issues, as well as just how much safety this approach offers.To learn more about these topics, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-spy.

The pandemic has forced all of us online in ways we haven’t been previously, and that applies to hackers and cyber criminals just as much as it does to regular people. Over the past year, threat actors have adjusted their tactics in order to exploit our new patterns of behaviour, which makes defenders’ jobs all the more difficult. In this week’s IT Pro Podcast, we talk to James Bynoe, head of information security at eBay Classifieds Group, to find out how he’s protecting his organisation’s sizeable network of staff and customers against these evolving threats.Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-different for links to more information.

After a year of forced remote working, lockdown restrictions are finally starting to ease, and organisations are starting to plan their return to the office. But once physical workspaces reopen, will we even want to go back - or has the last year given us a taste for the benefits of working from home?In this episode, we speak to IT Pro staff writer Sabina Weston to discuss our experiences of remote working, the impact of generational differences on attitudes to office culture, and whether or not we’re looking forward to being back in the office. For more information on all of the topics covered in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-office.

Silicon Valley’s community of leaders are frequently hailed as visionaries, and while it’s hard to argue with the fact that the innovation’s they’ve produced have changed the world, the qualities that make them so unique aren’t always positive ones.In the first episode, we examined some of the better aspects of Silicon Valley CEOs, but this week, we take a look at the negative elements of the common Silicon Valley CEO mindset. We also discuss the key learnings that CEOs and business leaders can take away from their Silicon Valley counterparts.To find out more about all of the topics covered in this week's episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-CEO2.

Whatever your thoughts on the products that come out of Silicon Valley, it’s hard to argue with its impact. The region is frequently hailed as a cradle of innovation, and the companies within it are frequently set the agenda for the rest of the world’s technological development. But it’s often said a company is nothing without a leader, so what is it that makes the CEOs of these organisations so successful?In the first episode of this two-part special, we’ll be talking about the qualities that make a good Silicon Valley CEO, looking at some of the best-known figures within its history and digging into what made them unique. If you want to hear more, tune in next week, where we’ll be examining some of the less positive aspects of Silicon Valley leadership, as well as discussing what the business community can learn from Silicon Valley’s examples – both good and bad.Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-CEO1 for more information on everything we've spoken about in today's show.

Over the course of its 110-year history, IBM has been at the cutting edge of a number of advancements, including inventing mainframes, kick-starting the PC revolution and birthing the first AI to beat humans in chess. It’s a storied history, but what does the company do these days?The answer, it turns out, is quite a lot. In this episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we look at how IBM’s various divisions work together, what its priorities are over the next few years, and why it should bring back its company songs.For more details on everything we've spoken about, visit http://bit.ly/ITPP-IBM.

Data collection has become a social and political hot potato in recent years, with social networks and tech providers under fire for aggressive data harvesting tactics. However, not all data collection is based on mining people’s information. In fact, some of the most useful datasets companies can use to feed their decision making has nothing to do with individuals, and are publicly available online.In this IT Pro Podcast Special Edition, we talk to Or Lenchner, CEO of web data collection platform Bright Data, to explore how companies can do better than just collecting personal details, why ethical considerations still need to be taken into account for any data-gathering operation, and the advantages that looking at the right kinds of data can bring.

Ask any tech company, and they’ll tell you that diversity is a major priority for them. Nevertheless, when it comes to technical teams, there are still many women who find themselves becoming the first female employee to join a division full of men. This week, we’re speaking to Cloudera senior solutions engineer Ana Gillan about her experience as the first woman in Europe to join one of the company’s technical teams. We discuss what it’s like to be a trailblazer, the importance of self-confidence, and why ping-pong tables and free beer may actually be hurting your company’s diversity efforts.To learn more about this topic and many more, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-WIT.

When you stop to think about it, satellite TV is an astonishing technical achievement - a communications relay in orbit around the planet which allows us to beam live footage from across the world directly into our homes. While this is a staggering accomplishment, however, there’s more to running a satellite television network than the satellites themselves.In this week’s episode, we sit down with Peter Simpson, CTO of UK satellite network Freesat, to discuss the challenges involved, how to balance the technical requirements of broadcast TV and on-demand streaming, and why data is so essential for the continued success of the industry.Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-Telly for more information on all the topics we've spoken about in this week's episode.

“We can rebuild him. We have the technology.” From Robocop to the Six Million Dollar Man, popular fiction has fantasised for years about the potential possibilities of augmenting human capabilities with technology to make us faster, stronger and more intelligent. Recent improvements in fields like robotics, prosthetics and artificial intelligence have brought that dream closer than ever to being a reality - but what does human augmentation really mean? Where do we draw the line between tools and augmentations? And what function - if any - can they serve in a practical business context? In this week’s episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we look at the emerging field of augmentation tech, the biohacking and transhumanist subcultures, and how close we really are to brain chips and bionic eyeballs.For more information on all the topics we've spoken about, check out http://bit.ly/ITPP-Human.

The tech skills gap is something that gets brought up again and again, as organisations lament their struggles to find talented developers, engineers and security professionals. The problem, so they claim, is that there just aren’t enough potential employees in the industry to meet demand for these positions.But are companies struggling to fill roles because there aren’t enough qualified candidates, or does the real reason have more to do with hiring practises, company culture and attitudes towards certifications? This week, we’re taking a look at the supposed causes of the skills gap, and why companies are thinking about tech skills in the wrong way. To find out more about this and other issues, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-skills.

Floppy disks. Fax machines. Cassette tapes. All are commonly thought of as obsolete technology, but are they really that outdated, or have their applications and use-cases simply become more niche? In this episode, we take a look at the concept of obsolescence, asking what truly qualifies a technology as being past its sell-by date and exploring why some of the oldest technology out there still has a place in modern business.For more information about the topics in this week's episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-obsolete.

Software is eating the world, and the developers who build it have been called ‘the new kingmakers’ – but creating a truly engaged dev team is about much more than just finding people who are able to hammer out code. The best development organisations are made up of brilliant, passionate individuals for whom programming isn’t just a job, but a craft.In this episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we’re joined by Eben Upton, founder of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, to discuss whether old devs can learn new tricks, how Raspberry Pi’s development team has grown beyond his expectations, and why the best developers are the ones that make your decisions for you. For more insight into everything we've spoken about in this episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-craft.

For the past several years, advances in fields such as 5G, IoT, autonomous vehicles and AI processing have promised to unlock major new innovations for civic planning and public sector management. Technology vendors and local governments alike have laid out visions for glittering, high-tech utopias where next-generation systems manage everything from traffic flow to collecting the bins.For the past year, however, COVID has reduced cities up and down the country to veritable ghost towns, stripped of their usual hustle and bustle. In a post-pandemic world, can the same ideas be turned to making COVID-safe cities, or is the dream of the smart city no longer feasible? This week we’re joined by staff writer Keumars Afifi-Sabet to talk about the future of smart cities.For more information on the topics covered in this week's episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-dream.

On 31 December 2020, the UK’s Brexit transition period came to a close, taking us firmly out of the EU. Many issues have been raised over the flow of goods between Britain and its former partners, but the flow of data is a different matter altogether. Data has become an intrinsic part of modern business and with previous rules on international data transfers now at risk of irrelevancy, many organisations are considering how they can adjust their data practises to avoid falling foul of regulators.With many elements of international data law still up in the air pending various legal cases and policy decisions, we’re joined by Bart Willemsen, VP at Gartner specialising in privacy, to discuss the current regulatory environment and how businesses can prepare themselves for any changes that might be on the way.For more information on everything we're spoken about in this episode, head over to http://bit.ly/ITPP-Transfer.

Healthcare has always been a vital industry, but for obvious reasons, it’s more important now than it’s ever been. Hospitals are being faced with an environment in which they must do all they can to limit physical contact, and technology is playing a key role in making that possible. On top of the COVID-19 crisis, however, healthcare organisations still have to grapple with everyday IT challenges like improving operational efficiency and maintaining their security.To discuss these issues, and how the healthcare sector is using technology to tackle them, we’re joined this week by Craig York, CTO on Milton Keynes University Hospital Foundation Trust, and member of the IT Pro Panel.For more information, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-healthcare.

Migrating to a new technology is always challenging, but it's even more daunting when your estate includes 2,000 engineers, 10,000 applications and 50 million lines of code. That was the challenge faced by FinTech powerhouse Bloomberg when it made the transition from JavaScript to TypeScript, but with the migration process now well underway, the organisation is reaping big benefits in the hygiene and maintainability of its codebase.This week, we're joined by Thomas Chetwin, the co-chair of Bloomberg's JavaScript guild, to learn more about why the company made the switch, the challenges it faced during the process and why everyone should be using TypeScript.To find out more, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-TypeScript.

Of all the sectors impacted by the still-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the air travel industry has been among the hardest hit. With international travel highly restricted and video conferences set to supplant a large amount of business meetings for the foreseeable future, the airline industry is having to re-assess its flight path.Rather than sitting on its hands, however, the industry has been using this downtime to spin up a number of digital transformation initiatives, in the hope that when it does re-emerge, its operations will be more efficient, more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly. Joining us this week to discuss the sector’s plans is Pascal Buchner, CIO of the International Air Transport Association.Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-Air for more information on everything we've spoken about in this episode.

For those of us who don’t get excited over teraflops and motherboard specifications, hardware is just something that we use to get our jobs done, and up until last year, most of us probably didn’t think too much about the devices we use at work. COVID-19, however, threw all of that into sharp relief, as mass remote working suddenly made having the right hardware setup a crucial enabler.Laptops, webcams and headsets were suddenly a hot commodity, and moving to a non-office environment exposed the cracks in many organisations’ client-device strategy. In this episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we take a look at how we use devices, the impact of the pandemic, and what we’ve learned about our own hardware preferences.Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-Hardware for links to everything we've spoken about in this episode.

The last 12 months have been something of a struggle, but with the strange and miserable year that was 2020 now behind us, it’s time to look forward at what 2021 has in store. As the dust settles and life begins to return to normal, we’re going to have to reckon with the ramifications of the momentous events 2020 brought, including the election of a new president, the continuation of remote working, and the effects of Brexit – whatever those may be.We’re sure to see some significant shifts throughout the IT world and 2021 is likely to hold a lot of upheaval. In this episode, we take a look at the year to come, make our predictions for what themes and trends it will bring, and share what we’re most looking forward to. To find out more about the topics we've spoken about in this episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-lookahead

It’s not overstating matters to say that this year has been the most eventful and unusual in the history of IT. As the COVID-19 pandemic developed and spread, cloud technology was thrust to the forefront, providing the infrastructure to allow business to continue while workers isolated themselves in their homes and, in many ways, saving the day.Aside from the pandemic and its manifold impacts, however, this year has been extremely eventful in other ways. We saw a flurry of high-profile corporate acquisitions, a series of government IT blunders and one of the most tumultuous US elections in living memory. In this special Christmas episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we take a look back over the year just gone and talk about what made it so eventful. For links to all of the stories we've spoken about in today's episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-lookback.

Silicon Valley has long been the US tech industry’s ‘shining city on a hill’, building a seemingly unassailable reputation as the heartland of IT innovation. In recent weeks, however, HPE and Oracle have become the latest in a growing list of companies to announce that they will be moving their official headquarters out of the valley and into Texas.But what does this mean for the west coast techno-utopia? Why are these companies suddenly getting cold feet, and will there be more to follow? In this episode, we look at the so-called Silicon Valley exodus, the possible reasons behind it, and whether Silicon Valley’s glory days are soon to be behind it.For more information on all the topics we've talked about in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-sunset.

The internet has been one of the most revolutionary technologies of our age, and most agree that the transformation it’s brought to our society has been beneficial. Social media – one of the more recent arrivals on the scene – has also generally been a good thing, allowing us to connect with friends and family across the world, find people who have similar interests to us, and rapidly share jokes, memes and information.This latter element, however, has slowly turned from a benefit into a problem. Disinformation and what might be termed “fake news” is seeping in everywhere, making it difficult to know what and who to believe.In this week’s episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we speak to Andy Patel, a researcher with cyber security firm F-Secure, about what disinformation is, how it spreads and the negative effects it could have on businesses.To learn more about all of the topics we've discussed this week, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-disinfo.

Data can be a huge enabler of transformation and efficiency for every sector, and healthcare is no different. However, there can be some significant challenges when it comes to implementing a complete data strategy when it comes to health and medicine, particularly within the framework of the NHS.This is why the Bradford Institute for Health Research established the Connected Yorkshire programme, in an effort to create a data-sharing platform to speed up research and improve community health throughout the region. This week, we're joined by Connected Yorkshire programme manager Kuldeep Sohal to find out more about Connected Yorkshire's work, the challenges involved with managing data at scale, and how a robust data strategy can help supercharge health and social care.To find out more about the topics we've discussed in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-Connected.

The COVID-19 crisis has had a profound impact on all of us, but one of the most drastic changes has been to business IT. Digital transformation and remote collaboration have been catapulted to the top of CIOs’ priority list, and companies have found themselves supporting scores of remote workers. But with a vaccine tantalisingly close to rollout, how will these trends evolve once it’s safe to go back to the office? Joining us this week to discuss the potential long-term impact of COVID on the UK’s cloud market is Frank Jennings, commercial & cloud Lawyer at Wallace LLP.Check out https://bit.ly/ITPP-COVIDcloud for links to everything we've spoken about in today's show.

2020 has been a challenging year, to say the least; businesses around the world have had their plans upended, and been forced to enact dramatic shifts to home working and digital-first business models. However, there are valuable lessons that can be learned from the last six months, and with lockdowns set to continue, now is the perfect time for business leaders to examine how they can use these to better prepare for any uncertainty that the future might hold.In this IT Pro Podcast Special Edition, presented in association with O2, we’ll discuss the unexpected challenges that businesses have had to face over the last six months and look at how organisations can apply the principles of agility, flexibility and digital thinking that have seen them through the current crisis to their forward planning.

Banking is changing; the financial services industry is no more immune to digital transformation than any other sector, and new technologies like cloud platforms, APIs and continuous integration have allowed new challengers to emerge and old incumbents to revitalise their practices. One company that’s helping transform money management is Yolt, an ING-backed startup that has recently added current accounts and contactless cards to its offering. In this week’s episode, we speak to Yolt CTO Roderick Simons to discuss the engineering challenges of this expansion, how the API economy has accelerated Yolt’s business, and why the future of banking is in the cloud.For more information on the topics in today's episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-Yolt.

The 2020 US presidential election has been one of the most divisive in recent memory, but after a seemingly endless wait for results, last Saturday saw Joe Biden predicted as the winner, and 46th president of the United States. Although current president Donald Trump still has three months left in the White House, the focus is now on the incoming leader and what his policy stances may be.But how will a Biden administration approach the tech sector, and all the myriad social issues that intersect with it? Will the president-elect support calls from the likes of Senators Warren and Sanders to break up big tech companies? Will he reinstate Obama-era net neutrality laws repealed by the FCC under Trump? To discuss all these questions and more, we’re joined this week by IT Pro’s US managing editor Justin Cupler.For links to all the topics we've spoken about this week, visit https://bit.ly/ITPP-Biden.

If you’ve spent any time around the PC gaming community in the last thirty years, then you’re almost certainly familiar with Nvidia’s Geforce graphics cards. What you may not now, however, is that the company is also strongly focused on solving next-generation computing challenges - and has been since it was first founded.In this episode, we take a look at Nvidia’s history, its business model and its strategy, including why it’s focusing on AI development, what it plans to do with recently-acquired ARM, and why CEO Jensen Huang should be on next year’s Bake Off. For links to everything to everything we covered in this week's episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-Nvidia

In this special bonus episode, we talk to Raspberry Pi founder Eben Upton about the Raspberry Pi 400, the company's newest device, including what makes the Pi 400 so special, how long it's been in development, and how the company is planning to break into the business market.

Data is a vital commodity in modern business, but there’s a growing movement based on openly sharing it for mutual benefit. This trend has neatly intersected with the ongoing coronavirus crisis, in the form of the track and trace efforts which are being used to measure and limit the spread of the virus - but how exactly is open data being used to fight the pandemic, and what lessons can we learn about the use of open data in a business setting?In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Amanda Brock, CEO of industry body Open UK, to find out more about how open data is contributing to relief efforts, the pitfalls of poorly-planned strategies, and how organisations can collaborate on data initiatives.For links to everything we've spoken about this week, check out http://bit.ly/ITPP-opendata.

Passwords are the foundations of our digital identity, which makes them rich targets for cyber criminals. With the right password, a hacker can accomplish all sorts of nefarious tasks, including theft, fraud and impersonation. So how exactly do hackers manage to make off with our passwords, and what can be done to stop them?In this episode, we discuss the methods - both simple and complex - that cyber criminals can employ to pilfer our credentials, including data breaches, watering hole attacks and social engineering, as well as how you can safeguard yourself against falling victim.To find out more about the topic covered in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-passwords.

How do you keep track of canine genetic information, breeding data and a quarter of a billion communications records, all spread across different systems? That’s the challenge being grappled with by Guide Dogs for the Blind, a charity organisation dedicated to helping improve the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted. Like many organisations, Guide Dogs is in the process of unifying its data assets in order to make them as efficient and valuable as possible, and in this week’s episode, we speak to CIO Gerard McGovern about how the project is going. We look at the importance of data warehousing, the benefits of accessible data, and how data can help identify a good dog.For more information on the topics we've spoken about in this week's show, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-doggo.

As tech continues to dominate our lives, more and more people are looking to software development as a career choice, and an increasing number are entering the workforce as self-taught coders. Tools like Codecademy and FreeCodeCamp have allowed more people than ever to pick up skills in JavaScript and Python, as well as more esoteric languages like C++, Ruby and R.But with so many different flavours to choose from, how can aspiring coders identify which programming languages are worth their time to learn? In this week’s episode, we talk to Jess Cregg, a self-taught developer who has gone from working in comms to being an associate solutions engineer at Twilio, to find out how she made the jump, and what languages prospective devs should start off with.To find out more about the topics we've covered in this week's episode, check out http://bit.ly/ITPP-Lang/

For some IT leaders, operating across multiple public cloud platforms is a conscious strategic decision that they’ve made - but sometimes it’s something that can happen completely by accident, either through pressing business imperative or via shadow IT. So what happens when you unexpectedly find yourself in a multi-cloud world without a plan in place to manage it?It’s a problem that many CIOs are grappling with, particularly in light of the current crisis, and in this episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we sit down with VMware’s director of modern apps and cloud native platforms Ed Hoppitt to discuss how organisations can end up in this situation, as well as what can be done to manage the challenges of it.Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-Madness for links to everything we've spoken about in today's show.

COVID-19 has been challenging for every sector, but the technology industry has been particularly pivotal during this crisis. The adoption of SaaS tools and cloud collaboration platforms has enabled businesses to transition relatively seamlessly to working from home - something which would have been almost unthinkable ten years ago.However, there have also been some distinctly less successful moments, such as the government’s faltering approach to developing a track-and-trace app in order to try and halt the spread of the virus. In this week’s episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we’re joined by staff writer and occasional guest host Keumars Afifi-Sabet to discuss the highs and lows of COVID-19’s effect on the technology sector.Click over to http://bit.ly/ITPP-COVIDTRIAL for links to everything we've talked about in this week's episode.

If you ever need proof that we’re living in the future, just look at virtual reality; a technology that was considered science fiction less than two decades ago is now available to all for a comparatively affordable price. Despite its rapid development, however, it has yet to find its place outside of niche gaming and tech enthusiast communities. Manufacturers like Lenovo and HTC have tried to bring VR into the business world, but enthusiasm is still seemingly limited. While applications like training, prototyping and collaboration have all shown a degree of usefulness, it appears that VR still lacks a ‘killer app’. In this episode, we look at the development of enterprise virtual reality technology, and whether it’s ever going to crack the big time.For links to everything we've spoken about in this episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-VR.

When it comes to data breaches, one of the most common warnings is that in addition to the potential fines, business disruption and data loss that can occur as the result of a successful hack, the damage to a victim’s reputation can be as bad, if not worse. The commonly-accepted wisdom is that, should you leave yourself open to a cyber attack, customers and partners alike will lose trust in your ability to safeguard their data, and will abandon you in droves.However, there are numerous examples over the last few years of companies who have suffered extremely serious data breaches - often through lax cyber security practices - and appear to have suffered little to no long-term consequences. Whether it’s Ashley Madison, Equifax, Marriott or British Airways, there are plenty of organisations for whom this oft-mentioned reputational damage doesn’t seem to have been very damaging after all.So what effect does a data breach have on a company’s reputation? How does it compare to the operational impacts of a breach? And should companies be concerned about reputational damage in the first place? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Rois Ni Thuama, head of cyber governance at Red Sift, to discuss the topic.Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-Myth to learn more about everything we've spoken about in this week's episode.

Unsurprisingly, the issue of Brexit has been somewhat pushed out of the public consciousness by the ongoing coronavirus crisis - but that doesn’t mean it’s gone away. In less than four months, the transition period will end, and on 31 December, Britain will officially leave the EU. This will have wide-reaching implications in a number of areas, but there are still significant questions to be answered around how it will affect the IT security of UK companies.Issues like the availability of security talent, the integrity of supply chains, intelligence-sharing and more are all going to be impacted when the transition period ends. But what changes can businesses expect to see, and what can they do to prepare themselves for them? In this episode, Adam is joined once again by special guest co-host Keumars Afifi-Sabet to discuss.Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-BrexitSec for links to everything we've spoken about in this week's episode.

While you may not be familiar with the tech industry’s latest acronym, DARQ, you’ve probably heard of its constituent components: distributed ledger, artificial intelligence, extended reality and quantum computing technology. Three of those four could be set to have a significant impact on the future of security, with possibilities including unbreakable encryption algorithms, AI-enhanced cyber attacks and much more.In this week’s episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we’re joined by RSA CTO Dr. Zulfikar Ramzan to dig into the future of these technologies, and the effect they could have on cyber safety. We discuss why blockchain is the betamax of distributed ledgers, the cost of a quantum attack, and why your next compliance officer might just be a robot. For links to everything we've talked about in this week's episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-DARQ.

AI is increasingly creeping into modern business, as organisations seek to improve efficiencies and speed up their processes. It’s very easy to get this wrong, however, as the UK government recently found out. An AI algorithm designed to issue students’ final grades for A-Levels and GSCEs has caused uproar over the last few weeks as complaints of unfair and inconsistent results led to widespread protests.The Department for Education was eventually forced to backtrack, announcing that the algorithm-generated results would be scrapped in favour of grades based on teachers’ predictions. But why did this AI system get it so badly wrong, and what can businesses learn from this debacle about deploying AI within their own organisations? In this episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we look at what AI can and can’t do, whether it should be placed in charge of important decisions, and why it’s not a good idea to take your hands off the wheel. For the next four weeks, we’ll also be testing out a new format – instead of having a news roundup, each week we’ll be focusing solely on an in-depth discussion of that episode’s topic. Let us know what you think!For links to all the things we've talked about in this episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-snake.

Many people jokingly (and some non-so-jokingly) refer to the dangers posed by so-called ‘killer robots’. The truth is, these people are right - we are at risk from dangerous AI. It just might not come in the form you’d expect.Businesses have been increasingly turning to AI to automate tedious, manual tasks and make them more efficient, but it turns out that hackers have been doing the same thing too. New developments in AI are allowing cyber criminals to launch larger, faster and more effective campaigns than ever before, and this week, we spoke to Darktrace director of threat hunting Max Heinemeyer to find out how and why.We also discuss Microsoft’s very first foldable phone, the departure of one of the world’s oldest laptop companies, and why police use of facial recognition may be on the way out.To find links to everything we've talked about in this week's episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-AIhack.

The perils of running a startup are often talked about, whether it’s trying to secure funding, marshalling the tech you need or establishing your go-to-market strategy - but no company can remain a startup forever. Eventually, every startup needs to try and grow beyond its current stage, undertaking the difficult journey to scale its operation without falling apart at the seams.In many ways, the scale-up stage is the ‘tricky second album’ of corporate operations, and is fraught with new and distinct pitfalls than those faced by founders in the early days of a company’s lifecycle. This week, we’re joined by startup adviser and SmartDebit CIO and director Gavin Scruby, to discuss how companies can effectively meet the challenges of becoming a scale-up.In this week’s news section, we look at what the theft of secret documents from former trade secretary Liam Fox says about data security practises, whether the new iMac represents good value for money, and the conviction of Uber’s self-driving maven Anthony Levandowski. Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-scaleup for links to everything we've talked about in this week's show.

Once-in-a-lifetime events are, as the name would suggest, very few and far between. Those that are completely unforeseen are even fewer. Unlike the 2008 economic crisis or the dot-com bubble before it, the COVID-19 pandemic is one of those occasions when everyone was taken by surprise and the economic and social implications have already been significant, with more aftershocks predicted.For businesses, this is an extremely tough time and it’s hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel, particularly as things as fundamental as how and where we live and work are being disrupted on a seemingly permanent basis.Data analytics, however, may hold the answer not only to how businesses can survive these turbulent times, but even reinvent themselves and thrive. This week, Adam and Jane are joined by Libby Duane, co-founder and CCO of Alteryx, to discuss this and how organisations can make better use of data analytics in the longer term.In the news this week, some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley have been getting a grilling from the House Judiciary Committee’s antitrust panel, Intel has said goodbye to its chief engineering officer following further delays to its next generation of 7nm chips, while 11 UK Councils are being awarded £800,000 to build on digital services created during the pandemic.For links to all the content we've spoken about in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-analytics

Security is an unusual field; while it’s one of the fastest-moving areas of IT in some ways, in other aspects it hasn’t changed in decades. For example, phishing, business email compromise and physical infiltration tactics have remained largely unchanged over the years.That might seem odd, compared to the rate of change in other areas, but it’s because these techniques rely on exploiting fundamental quirks of human nature – quirks that allow hackers to manipulate us for their own ends. But what buttons do these attack methods push in our heads and is there any way for us to fight back? In this episode, we talk to Stephen Burke, CEO and founder of Cyber Risk Aware, to learn more.In the news this week, we discuss Minecraft’s migration to Azure, Salesforce silencing Einstein, and the government accidentally breaking data protection rules with its Track and Trace programme.Visit https://bit.ly/ITPP-psych for links to everything we've spoken about in this week's show.

COVID-19 is creating a new normal for all of us; not only have face masks and social distancing suddenly become front-of-mind concerns, many businesses are grappling with remote working - and all of the challenges it brings - for the first time.For IT professionals, even familiar challenges have taken on added levels of complexity. In the domain of cyber security, access management and passwords have become a major focus, particularly as use of cloud and SaaS tools balloon and with many users working from unsecured personal devices.In this IT Pro Podcast Special Edition, brought to you in association with Specops, we discuss how security and IT professionals can face these new – and old – challenges head on.Download Specops Password Auditor free: https://specopssoft.com/product/specops-password-auditor/Download Specops Password Notification free: https://specopssoft.com/product/specops-password-notification/Download Specops Password Policy (free trial): https://specopssoft.com/product/specops-password-policy/

Hacking is one of the glitzier parts of IT, and Hollywood frequently bombards us with images of black-clad hackers hunched malevolently over glowing screens. Sadly, real-world hacking isn’t quite as glamorous as it’s often made out to be - but that doesn’t mean it’s not a fascinating and lively career.In this week’s episode, we sit down with professional pen-tester and Cyberis director Gemma Moore to find out what the life of a hacker for hire is really like, the common security holes that intruders exploit, and why laziness is a hacker’s greatest weapon.Elsewhere, we discuss the Twitterpocalypse which saw verified users barred from tweeting, and the landmark decision by the government to remove Huawei from the UK’s 5G networks, as well as what it could mean for UK businesses.Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-hackers for links to everything we've spoken about in this week's episode.

How do you weather a storm like coronavirus when you’ve got a small staff, minimal cashflow and a fledgling business? That’s the question being faced by many of Britain’s startups, as they batten down the hatches and try to ride out the current turbulence.This week, we speak to Andrew Roughan, managing director of Plexal - a London-based startup hub - about why startups are well-positioned to cope with the crisis, how co-working spaces can safely reopen and why the government needs to provide more support to struggling startups.We also take a look at the latest developments in the ongoing spat between Huawei and the UK government, the new Thunderbolt 4 standard, and SUSE’s acquisition of Rancher Labs.Click here for links to everything we've talked about in this week's episode: https://bit.ly/ITPP-startup

It’s no secret that there’s a recession looming on the horizon as a result of COVID-19, and increasing numbers of people are finding themselves out of work. There may be an up-side to this seemingly bleak scenario, however: It could be the perfect environment for creating an unprecedented startup boom.As part of this discussion, we dig into the historical links between economic turbulence and startup success, how the tech tools used to deal with coronavirus can accelerate new businesses, and why the surge in demand for tech skills has made it easier than ever to start a new company.In this week’s news section; the Computer Misuse Act may be starting to show its age, Matt Hancock looks to retire the humble pager, and Microsoft promises free up-skilling for all.For more information and links to everything that we've talked about in this week's episode head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-recession.

Since lockdowns came into effect, businesses across the country have been scrambling to institute remote working infrastructure to support employees - but while speed has understandably been a focus, security should not be neglected. In this IT Pro Podcast Special Edition, brought to you in association with RSA Security, we look at how businesses can use the current situation as an opportunity to establish a culture of safe, secure and sustainable remote working within their organisation. We spoke to Just Eat CISO Kevin Fielder and RSA’s director of digital risk solutions Angel Grant to examine the cultural, technological and mindset shifts required to support this move, as well as how embracing sustainable remote working can be a true business accelerator, rather than a box-ticking exercise. For more information on how you can prepare your business for secure long-term remote working, download our special report: https://bit.ly/WP-COVID

We’ve heard a lot about cloud computing, edge computing and various other kinds of computing, but confidential computing is less well known. As an emerging encryption model, it promises to offer greater protection to data as it's being used, supplementing at-rest and in-transit encryption.Protecting against attacks like memory dumps and malicious root user compromise, the development of confidential computing is being spearheaded by the Confidential Computing Consortium, an open-source industry group working to address the problem. In this week’s episode, we talk to Dr Richard Searle, senior security architect at Fortanix and general member’s representative to the governing board of the consortium, about what the technology aims to do.In this week’s news, we discuss Apple’s decision to make its own Mac chips and other announcements from its annual WWDC conference, HPE’s new software portfolio, and the case of a disgruntled ex-director who deleted all the files in her former employers’ Dropbox account.For links to everything we've talked about this week, head to https://bit.tl/ITPP-CCC

As the final day of IT Pro Live dawns, we turn our gaze to the future, exploring how businesses can build a resilient technology stack that will last them into the next decade, as well as looking at some of the emerging technologies and methodologies which could transform business in years to come. Register: https://live.itpro.com/itprolive2020/en/page/ticketsWatch: https://live.itpro.com/itprolive2020/en/page/agenda

As we move on to day four of IT Pro Live, our focus turns to the topic of innovation - a goal often strived for, but frequently stymied by the need to keep regular business operations ticking over at the same time. We'll hear from data experts, IT practitioners and even the founder of Raspberry Pi about how they're keeping innovation alive while still meeting the needs of the business. To register for your tickets, head to https://live.itpro.com/itprolive2020/en/page/tickets, and head to https://live.itpro.com/itprolive2020/en/page/agenda to watch the day's sessions.

Day three of our special IT Pro Live bonus miniseries focuses on security. Featuring speakers such as ex-hacker Greg van der Gaast, RSA Security CTO Zulfikar Ramzan and digital propaganda expert Dr. Samuel Woolley, day three of IT Pro Live is packed to the gills with all of the security insights you need to keep your business safe. Head to live.itpro.com to get your free tickets.

For the second day of IT Pro Live, we're talking all about cloud - including panels on building a minimum viable product, a Q&A with Salesforce on customer engagement amid COVID-19, and a keynote from OpenUK's Amanda Brock. Head to live.itpro.com to sign up for your free ticket.

In the first of five special bonus mini-episodes, we give you a sneak peek about what's coming up during day one of our first ever virtual conference. To register for your free ticket, head to live.itpro.com

For the last few years, vendors and analysts alike have been touting the transformational benefits of 5G, proclaiming that it will unlock new innovations like smart cities and autonomous cars. Here in the present, however, these benefits haven’t quite materialised.Not only that, but many are now vehemently opposed to 5G, claiming (among other things) that it’s linked to the spread of COVID-19, even going so far as to vandalise cell towers. To get the truth on what 5G actually offers, and when we can expect to see the benefits from it, we spoke to Paul Beastall, director of technology strategy at Cambridge Consultants and advisory board member of trade body UK5G.Also in this episode, we look at native Windows applications finally coming to Chromebooks, the CIA’s lacklustre security, and the first step towards password-free banking.For links to everything we've talked about, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-5G.

Whether it’s the new oil, the new gold, or the new depleted uranium, most businesses agree that data is becoming more and more critical to continued success. Organisations across the world are investing in their data competency, and throughout this process, the office of the CDO has been thrust to the fore.But what exactly does a CDO do? What impact can they have on business? And how much of a priority should it be for businesses to appoint one? To answer these questions, and more, we talked to Caroline Carruthers, author, data expert and one half of data consultancy Carruthers and Jackson. Caroline is also delivering keynote speech at our upcoming virtual conference, IT Pro Live.Also in this episode, we discuss Amazon and IBM’s decisions to limit their sale of facial recognition technology to police forces, what IBM’s cloud outage means for smaller companies, and whether a recent healthcare data leak could put an early end to video consultations.Visit http://bit.ly/ITPP-CDO for links to everything we've spoken about in this episode.

When it comes to gender gaps, most people are familiar with the problem of recruiting women into technology, science, engineering and manufacturing roles, to say nothing of pay disparity and lack of representation at senior management levels.A less well known problem, however, is the gender data gap. Biased data sets fed into artificial intelligence and machine learning systems can disadvantage women in areas ranging from recruitment to healthcare and even financial services. This week, we’re joined by Constanza Di Gennaro, COO of BioBeats to discuss what the gender data gap is, its impact and what we can do to close it.We also discuss Google’s new deal to provide cloud services to the UK government, Zoom’s growing revenue streams and continued security concerns, and plans to protect UK startups from takeovers by foreign companies.Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-datagap for links to everything we've talked about in this week's episode.

Despite initial hype, GDPR hasn’t been as much of a tectonic shift as some predicted. So, with two years of enforcement now behind it, what kind of impact has the regulation had? Has it succeeded in changing companies’ behaviours? Is it fit for purpose in a world of remote working and quarantines? In this episode, we talk to barrister and data protection expert Dyann Heward-Mills to find out more about how businesses have adapted to the rules, and whether or not they’ve made a lasting impression. Elsewhere, we look at the causes behind the UK’s disappointing 5G infrastructure, HP’s new remote working devices, and Microsoft’s latest bug bonanza.For links to everything that we've mentioned in this episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-GDPR.

In this week’s episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we’re taking a deep dive into some of the most interesting announcements from Microsoft Build 2020, digging into what they mean both for Microsoft’s customers and for its overall strategy. For more information on everything Microsoft revealed made at its virtual show, check out our guide to every Build 2020 announcement.For more information on everything we've talked about this week, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-Build.

The trend towards remote working has been building up steam for some time now, but it’s been vastly accelerated by the worldwide lockdowns enacted to control coronavirus. As many workers dig in for several more months of working from home, we examine the toll it’s taking on our mental health and how staff and businesses can help support each other.We discuss everything from the importance of a properly-equipped workspace and the tools necessary for proper collaboration, to the under-appreciated role of a tea break and a nice chat in maintaining mental wellbeing.We also take a look at how tech giants’ flexible working policies are coping in the face of continued lockdowns, the UK House of Commons’ digital transformation push, and what happens when hackers hit a star-studded law firm.Head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-sane for links to everything we've talked about in this week's episode.

Many will doubtless be familiar with London’s Natural History Museum as a fun and educational place to visit, but it’s also an important research institution. Alongside its role as a tourist attraction, it also does vital work in the biological sciences field, doing things like species categorisation and climate science research.All of that research involves a huge amount of very precise data, and managing it all is no easy task. In this week’s episode, we speak to Alison Davies, CIO of the Natural History Museum, about the role of data literacy in education, her background in scientific research, and how a giant squid makes her office so interesting to work in.In this week’s headlines, we look at Microsoft’s $100,000 IoT bug bounty, why the UK’s internet still lags behind other countries, and the hacker behind the love bug.For links to everything we've talked about this week, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-Dino.

Skills and training are a crucial element of running any business, but it’s especially critical when it comes to IT. It’s a running battle to just keep up with what’s needed to operate a company’s current tools, let alone developing proficiencies that will allow you to start expanding into new areas. In this week’s episode, we talk to Brad Mallard, CTO of Fujitsu Global, to find out how one of the world’s largest technology services providers trains and educates its staff. We discuss the e-learning tools that have helped make skills training fun and accessible, the gamification of professional development, up-skilling those already in the business and why learning COBOL gives young engineers a license to print money.We also discuss the hackers who had a sudden attack of conscience, the latest blow in the video conferencing arms race, and whether or not the current crisis caught network security specialists with their pants down.Visit https://bit.ly/ITPP-COBOL for links to everything we've talked about in this episode.

AI is all around us. It’s in everything from cars, to our kitchens, to the applications that power global commerce. Over the past several years, AI development has proceeded at a staggering pace, as companies race to make their machine learning algorithms more and more capable.But all of this development throws up some tough ethical questions: how do you ensure AI is being trained without implicit bias? How can it be used to augment, rather than replicate, human workers? And how, fundamentally, can we ensure it’s being developed in an ethical and responsible fashion? In this week’s podcast, we talk to AI expert and ContactEngine CEO, Professor Mark K. Smith, to try and answer some of these questions.In other news, we discuss the potential motives behind the spike in phishing attacks against the WHO, the pitfalls of not muting your microphone on Zoom, and Microsoft’s new devices offering a slice of normality.For more information on everything we've talked about this week, please visit https://bit.ly/ITPP-Ethical.Thanks to Razer for providing some of its Seiren X microphones for use during the lockdown.

The cloud is eating enterprise IT, and while on-premise applications are going to be around for a long time to come, the importance of being able to successfully take advantage of cloud technologies should not be understated. However, it’s one thing to simply port an existing application to the cloud, but developing software to be run in cloud environments is a different matter altogether.In this week’s episode, Adam and guest host Keumars Afifi-Sabet talk to Red Hat senior solutions architect Erica Langhi, to find out how organisations need to adjust their thinking when developing for the cloud, which tools and processes are best-suited to the task, and how new technologies like containers and microservices are making the job easier than ever.Elsewhere, we also discuss the ‘Fujiwhara’ of patches that IT professionals have been hit with this week, the public spat between Slack and Microsoft Teams, and the ongoing clash over the government’s controversial digital services tax.For links to everything we've mentioned in this week's episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-cloudapps.

It’s no secret that containers have been taking the software development world by storm in recent years, with companies including VMware, Red Hat and more talking up their benefits for developing cloud applications quickly and at scale. But why exactly is there so much buzz around them? What are they good for? And how difficult is it for companies to establish a container competency?In this week’s episode, we talk to Canonical’s vice-president of worldwide field engineering Nicholas Dimotakis to find out why software developers around the world have been jumping on board the container train, and what benefits it can bring for enterprises who want to scale their applications.Elsewhere, we talk about why beleaguered videoconferencing service Zoom has hired Facebook’s former CSO, Nvidia’s role in fighting coronavirus, and how social media has led to some people setting 5G masts on fire.For links to everything we've talked about in this show, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-containers.

For many businesses and independent IT professionals, IR35 was set to dominate this year; the expanded tax legislation was going to crack down on the use of limited companies by contractors in order to exploit tax loopholes, while simultaneously forcing organisations to pay the national insurance contributions of many of its temporary freelancers.The ongoing coronavirus crisis has now kicked those plans into touch, with the enforcement of the new legislation pushed back until next year - but what impact will this delaying have on IT contractors and those that employ them, and how should they be preparing for when it does finally come into force in 2021?In this week’s episode of the IT Pro Podcast, Adam and guest host Keumars Afifi-Sabet talk to James Poyser, InniAccounts CEO and founder of IF35 comparison site Offpayroll.org.uk, to find out exactly what the changes mean, and how those affected should respond.Visit bit.ly/ITPP-IR35 for links to everything we've talked about in this week's episode.

With a global pandemic currently playing out and curfews, quarantine and restrictions in place almost everywhere, it’s easy to forget that other big news stories are playing out too. This week, Adam and Jane are joined by IT Pro’s US editor, Justin Cupler, to discuss what will still be one of the most important events of the year: the 2020 US presidential election.While Donald Trump has had a tumultuous relationship with the country’s tech sector, the two Democratic candidates – Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden – both have plans that won’t necessarily please the giants of Silicon Valley either.Elsewhere, the COVID-19 outbreak continues to affect almost every aspect of life and business. Microsoft and Google have both announced they’re putting non-critical software updates on hold, while networks struggle to adjust to a sudden shift to mass remote working. Cybercriminals, meanwhile, have taken the ‘opportunity’ to target the World Health Organisation, as well as hospitals in Spain and the Czech Republic, attempting to disrupt research into the novel coronavirus and in the process extort money.Visit https://bit.ly/ITPP-Trump for links to everything we've talked about in this week's show.

Getting the opportunity to reshape a company’s tech platform from the ground up is an exciting prospect, but it’s also one that brings with it no small amount of challenge. There are many aspects to consider, including infrastructure choices, scalability, maintenance and more, but pull it off and you can revolutionise an organisation’s operational capacity.That’s exactly the task that Marc Pell was faced with when he started at insurance company TempCover six and a half years ago. Fast-forward to today, and he’s leading its technical vision as CTO. In this week’s episode, he joins us to explain how he went about reinventing the company’s tech stack and the opportunities it has offered.Elsewhere, we look at how COVID-19 has kick-started a remote working revolution, the pending closure of high street institution Carphone Warehouse, and Microsoft’s latest developer-friendly acquisition.For links to all the articles we've talked about in this week's episode, head to https://bit.ly/ITPP-Platform.

Digital transformation has become a top priority for companies, but many organisations – particularly larger ones – are finding it’s easier said than done. For big, established businesses breaking down the silos that have developed within their company often proves difficult, while smaller organisations struggle to establish processes that work in a smooth and effective way for the future of the business. This is the problem that Solis Digital aims to solve. Co-founded by former professional footballer Jordan Watson, the boutique digital transformation consultancy helps companies use custom apps to drive business efficiency and has worked on projects with organisations including Rolls Royce, the FA and Team GB. We sat down with Watson to find out how these organisations are benefiting from digital transformation, and the challenges they’re facing in the process.We also look at what impact this year’s recently-announced budget will have on the tech sector, the accidentally-announced security flaw in Microsoft’s SMB software, and the launch of several new Kubernetes management tools from VMware.For links to everything we've talked about in this episode, visit http://bit.ly/ITPP-TeamGB.

The coronavirus outbreak has been all over the news in recent weeks, with health warnings, office shutdowns and skyrocketing sales of antibacterials creating an air of borderline panic. But aside from general health concerns, does the tech industry in particular have anything to fear from the COVID-19 crisis? In this week’s episode, we look at the potential impact the virus could have – both positive and negative – on logistics and supply chain management, remote working, events and more. We also discuss what Oracle’s latest round of layoffs says about its cloud strategy, how Cathay Pacific’s data breach fine relates to the state of airline security, and Xerox’s tender offer to acquire HP’s outstanding shares.(Editor’s note: This week’s episode was recorded prior to the news that HP is planning a ‘poison pill’ maneuver to combat Xerox’s plan.)Visit http://bit.ly/ITPP-COVID to find links to everything we've talked about in this week's episode.

Cloud computing is often touted as one of the most efficient ways to run an IT operation within businesses – especially those on the small and medium end of the scale. But it doesn’t come without its own pitfalls, and finding the right platform and partners to help you manage your cloud journey can be more difficult than it first seems.In this week’s episode of The IT Pro Podcast, Jane and Adam are joined by Alex Hilton, chief executive of the Cloud Industry Forum, to talk about how SMBs can navigate the cloud landscape, what level of skills they need and how to avoid mounting costs.We also discuss a lawsuit filed against Oracle for alleged cloud coercion, Keith Block’s sudden departure from Salesforce, and Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician who died this week at the age of 101.Visit bit.ly/ITPP-offices to find links to everything we've talked about in this week's episode.

We’ve spoken a lot about workplace transformation over the last few years, whether it’s ‘the office of the future’, new collaboration technologies and SaaS tools enabling different ways of working, or new ultraportable devices enabling more mobility at work. But with so much technology allowing us to work productively from anywhere, do we even need offices at all any more?In this episode, we look at the pros and cons of physical workspaces, examining the technology that helps us circumvent them and debating whether they still perform a necessary function for businesses.Visit bit.ly/ITPP-offices to find links to everything we've talked about in this week's episode.

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that there’s still a substantial gulf within most organisations between security and the rest of the business, but discussing the problem with other cyber security practitioners is, in many respects, preaching to the choir. In this episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we speak to Kevin Fielder, CISO at Just Eat, about how infosec professionals can break out of the security bubble and start spreading this message to other departments.Check out http://bit.ly/ITPP-bubble for links to all the resources mentioned in this episode.

The issue of Brexit has been looming over the UK for more than three years - but now that it's finally a reality, how can businesses prepare themselves for the changes that lie ahead?We talk to former CIO, experienced IT industry veteran and Gartner VP analyst Stewart Buchanan to find out how much certainty organisations currently have, as well as the best way they can insulate themselves from potential disruption and secure their future productivity.For links to everything we've talked about in this week's show, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-Brexit.

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Puppet’s field CTO Nigel Kersten to discuss the current state of open source adoption, including the lack of high-level knowledge sharing, the relationship between open source and SaaS, and why businesses should get better at giving back to the open source community.Visit http://bit.ly/ITPP-Open for links to everything mentioned in this episode.

Software development is changing, and companies are adopting newer and more agile methods, using DevOps practises to build cloud-native applications in a faster and more effective manner. In this week’s IT Pro Podcast, we’re joined by Jon Topper, founder and CEO of The Scale Factory, to learn more about how enterprises can make their cloud deployments a success and implement DevOps methodologies to supercharge their development lifecycles.To find out more about everything we've mentioned in this week's episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-DevOps.

This week marks the end of an era, as we say goodbye to one of the most beloved operating systems of all time: Windows 7. Microsoft has ceased mainstream support for the OS after more than a decade, despite its enduring popularity. In this episode, we’re looking back at Windows 7’s legacy, including its history and what made it so indispensable for businesses. We also tackle the issue of what organisations who haven’t upgraded yet need to do now that it’s being officially retired.Head over to http://bit.ly/ITPP-Win7 for links to all the related resources mentioned in this episode.

While some of the problems facing public sector IT are unique, many are universal. From mitigating the tech skills gap and dealing with legacy kit, to allocating budget and choosing a cloud strategy there are many lessons to learn.In this week's episode of the IT Pro Podcast, Jane and Adam are joined by Adrian Keward, chief technologist, public sector at Red Hat to discuss the challenges facing public sector today, and what solutions open source may offer.Visit http://bit.ly/ITPP-Public for links to everything we've talked about in this week's show.

In this week’s IT Pro Podcast, we’re discussing what this year’s defining trends and themes are likely to be and predicting the key issues that technology professionals will need to be aware of, including Brexit, AI and the shifting vendor landscape. What’s going to be driving the conversation over the next 12 months - and how can IT managers best prepare for it?Links to everything we've talked about in this week's show can be found at http://bit.ly/ITPP-2020.

As 2019 draws to a close, it's time to look back and reflect on some of the biggest stories and most important trends the past 12 months. This year has been an eventful one for the UK tech industry, which has weathered everything from continuing political uncertainty to a rash of high-profile GDPR fines, as well as some nasty ransomware infections. In this special bonus episode, we'll be looking at all this and more. Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-2019 to find out more about everything we've talked about this episode.

Collaboration is one of the key tenets of modern business, but it’s a term that covers a multitude of sins. In this morass, what room is there for existing technology? Does email, the workhorse of business communication, still play a role?For links to everything we've spoken about in this week's episode, visit http://bit.ly/ITPP-email.In the latest episode of the IT Pro Podcast, Adam and Jane are joined by Slack head of customer success Chris Mills to discuss the state of collaboration in the workplace.

Data is an essential and growing part of modern business. But what does it take to build a truly data-informed, data-driven and data-enabled business? In this week's episode of the IT Pro Podcast, we talk to Solarwinds Head Geek Thomas LaRock to find out what data businesses should be looking for, how they can get started with analysing it and how to identify some of the common pitfalls.To find out more about everything we've mentioned in this week's show, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-data.

More and more companies are choosing to move to multi-cloud architectures, rather than relying on a single provider. In this episode, Adam and Jane are joined by staff writer Bobby Hellard look at the growing multi-cloud trend, including what makes a solid multi-cloud architecture, why it’s growing so quickly and the benefits it can have for businesses, as well as looking ahead to AWS’ annual conference and what role (if any) multi-cloud is likely to play in its plans.For links to everything we've spoken about in this week's episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-multicloud.

Following the announcement of Labour's ambitious free broadband pledge, IT Pro looks at the details and feasibility of the plan, featuring our resident public sector specialist Keumars Afifi-Sabet. Head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-labour for links to all the resources mentioned in this episode.We also discuss the report into TSB's IT meltdown and the ongoing sparring match between Xerox and HP Inc. NB: This week's episode was recorded prior to Xerox's threat of a share buyout.

In the latest episode of the IT Pro Podcast, Adam and Jane are joined by CW Jobs director Dominic Harvey to discuss how organisations can improve diversity and plug their skills gaps by upskilling existing employees from other areas of the business.All the links to everything we've spoken about in this week's episode can be found at http://bit.ly/ITPP-upskilling.

Microsoft still rules the roost when it comes to desktop operating systems, but gone are the days of yearly version updates; the new model is one of constant iteration and (supposed) improvement. In this episode, co-hosts Adam and Jane sit down with PC Pro associate editor Darien Graham-Smith to discuss the ins and outs of Windows 10, including how it relates to its predecessors, the pros and cons of upgrading, and why you need a solid rollout strategy.If you want to learn more about the subjects mentioned in this week's episode, head to http://bit.ly/ITPP-Win10.

Co-hosts Adam and Jane are joined by veteran security journalist and host of the Smashing Security podcast Graham Cluley and ZeroDayLabs’ head of cyber security strategy Stu Peck to discuss why firms keep making the same security mistakes.Visit http://bit.ly/ITPP-security to find links to everything we've talked about in this week's episode.

A new show for technology professionals and business decisionmakers, the IT Pro Podcast is hosted by IT Pro reviews and community editor Adam Shepherd and features editor Jane McCallion. They'll be discussing all the latest and most interesting stories from the world of enterprise IT, as well as diving deep into the most important issues facing tech practitioners. Subscribe now, or visit www.itpro.co.uk/podcasts for more information.