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The Road to Perdition: What Copilot Adoption in UK Councils Reveals About Our Readiness for AI By Cristian Bogdan Introduction: A Journey That Started with Conversations Over the past few months, I’ve spoken with dozens of people across UK local councils-deployment leads, IT managers, frontline staff, and even a few disillusioned early adopters. What began as a curiosity about how Microsoft Copilot was being used in the public sector quickly turned into something else: a deep dive into a deployment landscape that is, in many places, alarmingly unprepared. These conversations triggered a research effort that left me stunned. I reviewed FOI disclosures, inter national surveys, and case studies. I compared the glowing headlines with the whispered frustrations. What emerged was a picture not of technological failure, but of human, organizational, and strategic breakdown. The truth is this: Copilot didn’t fail in UK councils. We did. Chapter 1: The Promise That Sparked the...

In today’s digital world, businesses face mounting pressure to adopt IT solutions that not only keep them competitive but also support their growth and security needs. Historically, IT architecture has been viewed as something exclusive—a complex and costly function reserved for large corporations with deep pockets. However, a new approach is changing the game: Architecture as a Service (AaaS). AaaS is set to shake up the IT industry by making high-quality, scalable, and customized IT solutions available to organizations of all sizes. Here’s why I believe this model has the potential to redefine how businesses approach IT architecture. 1. Opening Doors to IT Expertise For smaller businesses, accessing skilled IT architects has always been a challenge. AaaS changes this by offering flexible, subscription-based access to the expertise they need. This means even small startups can get the same strategic IT insights and solutions that have historically been the domain of industry giants. I...

When people think of the dark web, they often picture stolen credit card details or personal information being sold to the highest bidder. But in reality, the dark web is a much bigger marketplace for all sorts of illicit goods. From personal data to malicious software, the dark web harbors a variety of threats that can affect individuals and businesses alike. Let’s take a look at some of the things being sold on the dark web that might surprise you—and why it’s essential to understand what’s at risk. Stolen Credentials One of the most common items on the dark web is stolen credentials. We all know how much we rely on usernames and passwords for nearly every online account—social media, email, banking, and more. The problem is, once a set of credentials is compromised, it can be sold or shared on the dark web, often without the user’s knowledge. Attackers use these credentials to gain unauthorized access to accounts, which can then lead to bigger breaches, like corporate account takeov...

  Data breaches are happening more frequently than ever, and the consequences can be severe—even for individuals and small businesses who might not see themselves as likely targets. Many of us are familiar with the “Surface Web,” the part of the internet we navigate daily with traditional search engines. But beneath the visible layer lies the Dark Web , a hidden part of the internet where stolen data and illegal activities often take place. This is why Dark Web audits have become crucial. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you understand what a Dark Web audit is, why it’s important, and how to get started. What is the Dark Web? The Dark Web is the part of the internet that standard search engines don’t index. It requires special software to access. While it can be used for legitimate purposes like protecting privacy or avoiding censorship, it’s also home to illegal marketplaces, cybercriminal forums, and sites where compromised data can be bought and sold. Why a Dark Web Audit...

  A new threat model is taking center stage— Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) . This business model, designed by cybercriminals, offers pre-packaged, ready-to-deploy malware to anyone willing to pay, dramatically lowering the barrier for entry into the world of cyber attacks. Today, you don’t need to be a tech expert to orchestrate a sophisticated cyber attack. With MaaS, a malicious campaign is just a few clicks away. In this article, we’ll explore what MaaS is, how it works, why it’s a growing threat, and what you can do to protect your business from its dangers. What is Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS)? Malware-as-a-Service is the cybercrime equivalent of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Just as SaaS allows businesses to rent software online instead of developing it from scratch, MaaS allows cybercriminals to "rent" malware. These platforms operate as underground marketplaces, offering a range of malicious tools—from infostealers like Racoon Stealer V2 to ransomware, botnets, Trojans, ...

Introduction Cybersecurity is a constant cat-and-mouse game, with attackers refining their tactics and defenders scrambling to stay ahead. One of the most notorious threats in recent years has been Raccoon Stealer , a powerful piece of malware known for its ability to steal sensitive information. Now, a new and improved version— Raccoon Stealer V2 —has emerged, introducing advanced techniques to bypass detection and target a wide range of credentials and personal data. In this article, we’ll explore what Raccoon Stealer V2 is, how it operates, what makes it different from previous versions, and what you can do to protect yourself and your business. What is Raccoon Stealer V2? Raccoon Stealer V2 is the latest evolution of a well-known infostealer —a type of malware designed to steal sensitive information from compromised devices. The original version gained notoriety for its effectiveness in siphoning off credentials, credit card details, cryptocurrency wallets, browser cookies, and oth...