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Whenever I see an advert on the television for a well known doorbell with an embedded camera I wince a little at the thought of the opportunity to use this information for malintent. Sure enough, it’s not only me, as the company in my thoughts has been hacked at least once. The temptation is just … Continue reading Digital coercion and control

Image thanks to Newcastleworld The North East is getting a new mayor. Following the creation of the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NoTCA) some years ago, the new combined authority will see it expanded to cover all seven local authority areas from Northumberland, Tyneside, Wearside and Durham. The NoTCA will be subsumed into the North … Continue reading A New Mayor

At last, after seven years of trying, the CyberNorth Cyber Security Innovation Centre is underway. OK, it doesn’t quite look like it was originally envisaged, it is a lot smaller, a lot cheaper yet much more portable and flexible. A lot has changed in the last seven years. It is also much more doable and … Continue reading Finally we’re underway

They say that you should never go back, at least when it comes to work. It won’t be long before you remember why you left in the first place. Yet I have, in a way, gone back. Six months after I stepped down as a director of UKC3 I have agreed to go back, not … Continue reading Never go back

Image thanks to Freepik I’m not making any resolutions this year, no not this year, none at all. The pedant in me wonders if this is indeed a resolution but I’ll let that pass. I’m resolute and in this way success is guaranteed, I cannot fail to achieve anything I haven’t set myself to do. … Continue reading No resolutions

Image thanks to AIImageGenerator I always have a love-hate relationship with Christmas. Yes, it’s lovely to meet up with your family and exchange gifts, eat too much, drink too much and watch crap on the television. It’s a time to grab a bit of rest in an otherwise hectic life. What I don’t like is … Continue reading Enjoy yourself

This week, on my day out, I was down on the quayside on the Newcastle side of the river. I’d agreed to meet someone there with the vague instructions that she would be down at the court's end of the river bank. So, there I was opposite the law courts, keeping an eye out for … Continue reading Survey

Week three of the North East’s biggest cyber security festival is a little quieter than week two with only (?) three events, one online and two in person. It could be the eye of the storm as the last week gets very busy again. The first event, #8 in the schedule is a short online … Continue reading #CyberFest week three

#CyberFest is starting off slowly this year, with only one event in the first week. That’s the week where the schools go back and a lot of people have many other things on which to focus their attention. Week two is a different kettle of fish, with six events in total, meaning some days have … Continue reading #CyberFest week 2

Image thanks tro Shoe Advisor Today I did something I haven't done for a long time. I polished my shoes. I know it was a long time because the polish had dried up in its tins. Instead of being creamy and spreadable it was all dry and cracked like a dried up river bed. Apparently … Continue reading Shoe shine