Partying like it's 1399

Following last week’s publication of a UK national Cyber Security Strategy, the FT devoted a leader column to “Cyber security risk” highlighting the growing threat of cyber warfare to national security and resilience and its future role in conflict.

This is a subject close to the technology industry’s heart, and the recent publication of a national Cyber Security Strategy has now also focused Government’s attention on what many believe is the newest theatre of war. Whilst we at Russell Square therefore applaud the FT’s interest in the subject, I cannot help but disagree with their fundamental conclusion – that developed economies (including the UK) are better placed to withstand the collapse or compromise of our digital networks than less developed equivalents.

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Technorati Tags: Cybersecurity

I just came across this story about the rollout of smart meters in New Zealand. However, my use of the word ‘smart’ is perhaps misleading, given that some energy companies over there are being lambasted for installing ‘dumb meters’.

In the words of one consumer, talking about his new meter, ‘it has not made any difference to my life whatsoever, except I think my power bill is a little bit higher than it used to me’. He goes on, noting that it is ‘smartly taking more of [his] cash’.

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Technorati Tags: DECC, smart meters

25 minutes ago, Lord Mandelson responded to a question on Royal Mail in the House of Lords. He said the following:

‘Market conditions have made it impossible to conclude the process to identify a partner on terms that we can be confident would secure value for the taxpayer.

There is therefore no prospect in current circumstances of achieving the objectives of the Postal Services Bill. When market conditions change we will return to the issue.

We remain convinced that Hooper’s combined package offers the best chance of securing the universal postal service while protecting Royal Mail pensions’.

Reflections in due course…

Building Britain’s Future (BBF) is Gordon Brown’s redesinged house of UK public services. However, like all reconstruction plans the foundation must remain solid yet flexible in its ability to support the new design.

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Technorati Tags: Building Briatain's Future, efficiency, public service delivery, Role of ICT