Here’s your Risk Digest for the Week Ending 7th October 2016.
Information Security
UK’s National Cyber Security Centre Opens
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) opened this week as part of the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).
Hacker Releases IoT Botnet Source Code: Spike in Attacks Predicted
The ‘Mirai’ family of botnets hijacks Internet-connected devices and uses them to launch large-scale attacks
Health & Safety
Alton Towers Owners Fine £5million Over Smiler Crash
The owners of Alton Towers have been fined £5million with costs of £69,955.40 following a rollercoaster collision which left 16 people injured, a number of them seriously.
Fire Door Safety: Will Your Fire Door do its Job?
29th September to 2nd October was National Fire Door Safety Week, and during the week shocking statistics were revealed about the misuse of fire doors.
Business Continuity
Organisations Taking Business Continuity Seriously, But Less Confident in Disaster Recovery.
Databarracks has published its sixth Data Health Check survey report. The survey questioned over 350 IT decision makers in the UK about their organization’s attitude to business continuity and disaster recovery.
Survey Finds Average Employee Works 38 Unpaid Days Per Year.
British employees work an average of 38 working days above their paid contract every year, according to a new study.
Food
MRSA Found in Supermarket Meat.
The MRSA “superbug” has been found in British pork being sold in Sainsbury’s and Asda, according to a report.
Barr Recalls Rubicon Sparkling Mango 2L Due to Fermentation
A G Barr plc is recalling four batches of its Rubicon Sparkling Mango soft drink on a precautionary basis because yeast fermentation has occurred in some bottles.
Environment
Scientists Find Microbead pollution at Depth of 6000ft
Deep-sea creatures living at depths of up to 6,000ft have been found for the first time to have eaten micro-plastics, according to new research.
Paris Agreement Closer to Full Launch
The European Parliament backed the Paris accord to fight climate change on Tuesday, the EU executive said, tipping it over the threshold needed for the global deal to enter into force.
Energy
500 Companies Awarded UK’s first Renewable Energy Label.
Independent renewable energy supplier SmartestEnergy has announced that 500 companies have been issued with energy labels that specify the source and carbon content of the electricity that they purchase.
Surge in Electric Cars Could Threaten USA Grid.
Plugging in an electric vehicle is, in some cases, the equivalent of adding three houses to the grid. That has utilities in California—where the largest number of electric vehicles are sold—scrambling to upgrade the grid to avoid power outages.
Tech
Government Plans to Make UK One of the Most Digitally-Skilled Nations.
Government has announced plans to make training in basic digital skills free for adults lacking relevant qualifications.
UK Government Announces £220million Boost for Cutting Edge Tech.
The chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond has announced a support package which includes a £220m boost to help support the country’s technology sector.
Business Process
What is VAT and How Will it Affect my Small Business?
Value Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax assessed on the value added to goods and services. It applies to broadly all goods and services that are purchased or sold for use or consumption in the European Union.
Business Investment in the UK 2016:Q2. Results.
Statistics have been revealed for investment trends for businesses in the UK, including spending on transport equipment, machinery, buildings and intangible assets.
Wellbeing
Two Coffees a Day Could Cut Risk of Dementia.
It’s tasty, warm and gives you a much needed energy boost – just about everybody loves a cup of coffee. But now scientists claim the hot drink is more than just an enjoyable treat, it can actually help to prevent the onslaught of dementia.
Woman Able to Leave House for First Time in Five Years Thanks to Hypnotherapy.
A mother-of-two says she has left her house for the first time in five years after being cured of her psychological disorder by hypnotherapy.
Brexit Latest
Pound Falls as May Indicates Brexit Date
Sterling has fallen to a three-year low against the euro after Theresa May outlined the timetable for starting Brexit negotiations.
Manufacturing Hits Two Year High as Companies Take Advantage of Pound Slide
Manufacturing output hit a two-year high last month as the industry took advantage of the Pound’s exchange rate slide.
The Lighter Side
The Formula for Finding Comfortable High Heels Has Been Revealed
Ever wondered why a modest pair of kitten heels leaves some women in agony while others are happy to stride around in their ‘comfortable’ high heels for hours on end?
Doggy Paddle: Oscar the Staffie Loves to Paddle Board.
The sea-faring pup has been cruising the waters of the Mersey in Liverpool since the summer – powered by his doting owner and companion Jayne Rigby.
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We have no affiliation with third party websites and they do not represent us or our views.
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