Does the word cyber put people off?

I’ve been involved quite heavily in the world of cyber recently, not on the dark side I hasten to add, I am firmly in the light. I have been doing some work on helping to build a regional cluster and this is the reason that I keep blogging about the topic. But what is cyber? … Continue reading Does the word cyber put people off?

Hard cyber

I’m not sure if cyber is a word that is used much outside the pages of a William Gibson novel or the Cyber security industry itself. It may not be many people’s vernacular yet it is a word that has come to dominate a lot of my time, both as an employ of the local … Continue reading Hard cyber

Is this the price we pay?

The last few days have been bad for decent people and good for cyber criminals.  The world has witnessed one of the biggest cyber attacks with the release of Wanna Decryptor or WannaCry and its subsequent variants.  The cyber-attack has hit more than 200,000 victims in 150 countries and the Europol chief, Rob Wainwright warned … Continue reading Is this the price we pay?

Unfolding plans 167 – The governors

We govern our ICT with three overlapping circles, a trefoil or a shamrock.  Our governance is a lucky charm. We have three overlapping groups that set direction and hold us all together. The Strategic ICT Group comprises directors and Head of service.  Their job is to set the direction and need for technology.  They also … Continue reading Unfolding plans 167 – The governors

Unfolding plans 163 – Durham City connectivity

Superfast broadband connectivity across Durham and the region has been a big issue for us.  The Digital Durham programme has been running for a few years now.  Indeed our first ever cabinet to go live was number 56 just around the corner from Next in the centre of the city.   That was a good day … Continue reading Unfolding plans 163 – Durham City connectivity

Unfolding plans 161 – Fun Day

Of all the audiences that I speak to, I find young children to be the hardest.  I’m sure I would get used to it but I’d have to work hard to be a teacher.  This morning we laid on a fun day at the education development Centre for a group of Year 5 pupils from … Continue reading Unfolding plans 161 – Fun Day

Unfolding plans 156 – No secrets

Would the world be a better place if there were no secrets?  There would be no need to hide anything, no need to keep things under lock and key and no need to encrypt our precious or most dark information assets. If there were no secrets there would be no cyber-crime.  There would be nothing … Continue reading Unfolding plans 156 – No secrets

Unfolding plans 152 – taking stock

Friday is always a good day to take stock.  Today is day five of National Customer Service Week and so it’s a great opportunity to think about what has happened.  It was not just ICT Services that got involved. Social Care Direct, Transport, First Contact, Customer Services (of course), Neighbourhood Services, Highways, Regeneration and Economic … Continue reading Unfolding plans 152 – taking stock