IT Thrill Seekers
Calum Macleod warns against the use of FTP servers, unless you want to live life on the edge – on the edge of an IT security nightmare….
Cybersecurity
Open Source Software in the Public Sector in Ireland
Open source software (OSS), has always had the advantage that it is inherently more adaptable than its commercial packaged equivalents. It is also true that, compared to commercial packages, it can appear inexpensive (at least initially). It is not surprising therefore that public administrations around the world are embracing the revolution and moving away from…
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Predictions 2008: Technology in Law Firms
From Charles Christian, the editor of the industry newsletter Legal Technology Insider Industry news is going to be the big thing in 2008. Will the IRIS Legal group (which now encompasses the old AIM, Laserform, Mountain and Videss businesses, as well as the Bar supplier Meridian) convince the market that its future strategy – including…
Predictions 2008: Forensics and Discovery
From Chris Dale, consultant specialising in litigation support and e-discovery: www.chrisdalelawyersupport.co.uk/ A judge strikes out a Statement of Case because the party has failed to comply with the disclosure requirements of the Practice Direction to Part 31 CPR. The Court of Appeal upholds the decision, finding that the judge acted proportionately and within his management…
Predictions 2008 – Foursight
From Simon Briskman, a partner in the Technology Law Group at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP: www.ffw.com US corporations will lobby Europe to simplify privacy laws, allowing smarter Web advertising. We will also see new Web 2.0 entrants causing valuation jitters for current platform owners. Joost and other peer-to-peer solutions will spread, whilst applications such as…
Not me Gov! Data Security in the 21st Century
The recent events at HMRC have thrown the issue of data security into sharp focus. This article will examine some of the key technological and social drivers, which are underpinning the increasing focus of the media and the legislators on the issue of data security. I will also examine the ICO’s current guidance on the…
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Predictions 2008 – Second Guesses
From Anna Cook, Partner, Wedlake Bell: www.wedlakebell.com I think that the suppliers of outsourced services are gaining confidence and they are being less flexible in the provision of services. Also, services are becoming more commoditised. In turn, this is giving rise to simpler contracts. Customers are also seeking to negotiate shorter term contracts and more…
Russian Software Development: A Personal View
I don’t like the taste of straight vodka, however expensive. This can be a social obstacle while working in Russia, I’ve found. But apart from one’s particular taste in alcohol, I’ve found that there’s much to recommend outsourcing one’s software development there. The country is loaded with brainy, entrepreneurially-minded engineers who yearn for bigger and…
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Data Loss: Changing the Economic Balance
The loss of CDs containing the personal information of 25M UK citizens has rightly caused an out-pouring of ‘Shame on you’ on HMRC and prompted questions like ‘How could you let this happen?’ The real question that the British people should be asking though is this: ‘Who else has lost my data that I haven’t…
Data Protection and the HMRC Fiasco
We asked a number of data protection experts for comment on the controversial loss of disks with details of 25 million individuals. The overwhelming reaction was that it was proof positive that greater care is needed and that a deeply ingrained cultural shift may be required in many organisations. Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, who described…