IT Industry Week in Review: Week Ending January 31, 2025

The IT industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies and trends emerging all the time. This article summarises the most important events in the IT industry during the week ending January 31, 2025. This review also incorporates expert analysis to provide deeper insights into the week’s events.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI continued to be a major focus in the IT industry this week. Several important developments were reported, including:

AI jailbreaking techniques prove highly effective against DeepSeek. ¹ Security researchers have found ways to bypass the safety measures built into DeepSeek, a leading AI model. This raises concerns about the potential for AI to be used for malicious purposes.
First international AI safety report published. ¹ A group of nearly 100 AI experts from around the world have published a report outlining the challenges posed by AI and calling for greater international cooperation on AI safety.
Microsoft’s results show the cloud AI balancing act. ¹ Microsoft has announced strong financial results, driven in part by its cloud AI offerings. However, the company acknowledges the need to balance the efficiency of AI models with the cost of running them.
Content provenance technology to combat AI deepfakes. ² With the rise of AI-generated deepfakes, there is a growing need for content provenance technology to help verify the authenticity of digital content and flag potential misinformation.
Obstacles to Labour’s AI Opportunity Action Plan. ¹ Despite the advancements in AI, there are challenges to its widespread adoption. Labour’s AI opportunity action plan faces obstacles such as a skills gap, legacy technology, and a lack of leadership, hindering its potential to leverage AI for economic growth and social progress.

The advancements in AI technology are exciting, but they also raise concerns about security and ethical implications. The potential for AI jailbreaking and the spread of misinformation through deepfakes highlight the need for robust security measures and responsible AI development¹.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity was another major topic this week, with several high-profile incidents and developments reported, including:

Police swoop on Sky ECC cryptophone distributors in Spain and Holland. ¹ Law enforcement agencies in Spain and the Netherlands have arrested several people suspected of distributing Sky ECC cryptophones, which are often used by criminals to communicate securely.
DeepSeek API, chat log exposure a ‘rookie’ cyber error. ¹ Security researchers have discovered that DeepSeek’s API and chat logs were publicly exposed due to an error in the configuration of an open-source database management tool. This incident highlights the importance of proper security practices, even for cutting-edge technologies.
How government hackers are trying to exploit Google Gemini AI. ¹ Google has revealed that government-backed hackers are attempting to exploit its Gemini AI tool for malicious purposes. This underscores the growing threat of cyberattacks targeting AI systems.
NAO: UK government cyber resilience weak in the face of mounting threats. ¹ The UK’s National Audit Office has warned that the government\’s cyber resilience is weak in the face of mounting threats. The report highlights skills shortages, legacy IT systems, and the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks as key challenges.
Report: Cybersecurity use of GenAI produces the highest ROI. ² A new report has found that cybersecurity initiatives that leverage generative AI are producing the highest return on investment (ROI). This suggests that AI is becoming an increasingly important tool in the fight against cybercrime.
CISOs’ access to leadership is crucial. ² A recent study emphasizes the importance of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) having direct access to the board of directors and other C-level executives (CxOs). This access enables CISOs to effectively communicate cybersecurity concerns, advocate for necessary resources, and ensure that security is integrated into the organisation’s overall strategy.
Many data breaches are preventable with standard measures. ² Despite the increasing complexity of cyberattacks, a data breach report indicates that many incidents are still preventable with standard cybersecurity measures. This highlights the importance of organisations implementing and maintaining basic security practices, such as strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and regular software updates.

The increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, coupled with the emergence of new technologies like AI, requires a proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. Organisations need to invest in robust security measures, prioritize employee training, and ensure that cybersecurity leadership has a voice at the highest levels of decision-making¹.

Connectivity

Connectivity continued to be a key area of focus in the IT industry this week, with several developments reported, including:

UK government mobile mast upgrade scheme marks milestone. ¹ The UK government has announced a milestone in its program to upgrade mobile masts across the country. The program aims to improve rural mobile coverage and support the rollout of 5G.
EE scores Wembley Stadium connectivity renewal. ¹ EE, a leading UK mobile operator, has renewed its contract to provide connectivity at Wembley Stadium. The deal will see EE continue to provide high-speed mobile coverage for fans and event organizers.
Neos Networks leads £1.2m UK Midlands broadband project. ¹ Neos Networks has been appointed to lead a £1.2 million project to bring gigabit broadband to rural communities in the UK Midlands. The project is part of the government’s efforts to improve broadband access across the country.
Starlink delivers connectivity to Oracle Enterprise Communications. ¹ Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, has partnered with Oracle to provide high-speed connectivity to Oracle Enterprise Communications. This partnership will enable Oracle to offer reliable and high-speed connectivity to businesses in remote areas.
Global fixed broadband subscriptions pass 1.5 billion. ¹ Research has shown that the number of global fixed broadband subscriptions has passed 1.5 billion. This highlights the continued growth of broadband access around the world.
Vodafone claims video call over satellite landmark. ¹ Vodafone has successfully conducted a video call over a satellite network, demonstrating the potential for satellite technology to provide mobile coverage in areas where traditional networks are unavailable.

The demand for reliable and high-speed connectivity is growing rapidly as the world becomes increasingly reliant on digital technologies. This demand is driving innovation in network infrastructure, with initiatives like the UK’s mobile mast upgrade program and the expansion of broadband access in rural areas. Furthermore, the use of satellite technology, as demonstrated by Vodafone and Starlink, is opening up new possibilities for providing connectivity in remote and underserved areas¹.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing remained a major trend in the IT industry this week, with several companies announcing new offerings and partnerships, including:

Microsoft’s results show the cloud AI balancing act. ¹ Microsoft’s strong financial results were driven in part by its cloud AI offerings. The company is continuing to invest in cloud AI, but it is also mindful of the need to balance the efficiency of AI models with the cost of running them.
Starlink delivers connectivity to Oracle Enterprise Communications. ¹ Starlink’s partnership with Oracle will enable Oracle to offer cloud-based enterprise communications services to businesses in remote areas.
AWS and Microsoft could face ‘targeted intervention’ from CMA over UK cloud competition concerns. ¹ The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering taking action against Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft over concerns about their dominance in the UK cloud market. This could have significant implications for the cloud computing landscape in the UK.

Cloud computing continues to be a dominant force in the IT industry, with major players like Microsoft and AWS leading the way. The integration of AI into cloud offerings is a key trend, as seen in Microsoft’s strong financial performance. However, concerns about market dominance and competition are also emerging, as evidenced by the CMA’s potential intervention in the UK cloud market¹.

Software and Services

This week saw significant developments in the software and services sector, with a focus on innovation and growth:

ServiceNow vaunts agentic AI and announces 22% annual revenue growth. ¹ ServiceNow has announced strong revenue growth and a new focus on “agentic AI,” which aims to make AI systems more proactive and autonomous. This highlights the increasing integration of AI into software solutions to enhance efficiency and automation.

ServiceNow’s strong revenue growth and focus on agentic AI demonstrate the continued importance of innovation in the software and services sector. The integration of AI into software solutions is a key trend, enabling businesses to automate tasks, improve decision-making, and enhance customer experiences¹.

Other News

In addition to the major trends mentioned above, there were several other notable news stories in the IT industry this week, categorised as follows:

Business Operations

Barclays hit by major IT outage on HMRC deadline day. ¹ Barclays bank experienced a major IT outage on the deadline day for filing taxes with HMRC, the UK’s tax authority. This caused significant disruption for customers and highlighted the importance of reliable IT systems for critical business operations.

This incident serves as a reminder of the critical role that IT systems play in modern business operations and the importance of investing in robust infrastructure and disaster recovery planning to minimise disruptions¹.

Technology and Society

Covid effect opens the door to music learning through Icelandic innovation. ¹ An Icelandic startup called Moombix is using technology to make music lessons more accessible. The company’s platform connects students with music teachers online, making it easier for people to learn music from anywhere in the world.

This highlights how technology can be used to overcome geographical barriers and make education and cultural experiences more accessible to a wider audience¹.

Government and Policy

Chancellor backs plans to boost Oxford-Cambridge growth. ¹ The UK Chancellor has announced support for plans to boost economic growth in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, a region with a strong technology sector. This could lead to increased investment in technology companies and infrastructure in the region.
Vallance rejects the latest charge to reform UK hacking laws. ¹ The UK’s Science Minister has rejected calls to reform the Computer Misuse Act, arguing that the current laws are sufficient to address cybercrime. This decision has been met with criticism from some cybersecurity experts who believe that the law needs to be updated to reflect the evolving threat landscape.
Tidal wave of Trump policy changes impacts tech space. ³ The Trump administration has introduced a series of policy changes that are expected to significantly impact the technology industry. These changes include new regulations, trade policies, and initiatives related to cybersecurity and data privacy. The long-term effects of these policies on the tech sector remain to be seen.

Government policies and regulations play a crucial role in shaping the technology landscape. The UK government’s support for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc and its stance on hacking laws demonstrate the impact of political decisions on the IT sector. Similarly, the Trump administration’s policy changes in the US are expected to have far-reaching consequences for the tech industry¹.

Conclusion

The IT industry continues to be a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector. This week saw significant developments in AI, cybersecurity, connectivity, and cloud computing, as well as other areas. The increasing integration of AI into various applications, from cloud computing to software solutions, is a major trend. However, this also raises concerns about security vulnerabilities and the potential for misuse, highlighting the need for responsible AI development and robust security measures.

In the realm of cybersecurity, the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks and the emergence of new threats targeting AI systems require organisations to adopt a proactive and comprehensive approach to security. This includes investing in advanced security technologies, prioritizing employee training, and ensuring that cybersecurity leadership has a strong voice in organisational decision-making.

The growing demand for reliable and high-speed connectivity is driving innovation in network infrastructure and satellite technology. Initiatives to improve mobile coverage and expand broadband access are crucial for supporting the increasing reliance on digital technologies.

Cloud computing remains a dominant force in the IT industry, but concerns about market dominance and competition are emerging. The potential intervention by the CMA in the UK cloud market could have significant implications for the industry.

Overall, these developments highlight the increasing importance of technology in our lives and the need for continued innovation and collaboration to address the challenges and opportunities that technology presents.

Disclaimer

The information presented in this article is based on publicly available information and may not be exhaustive. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the IT landscape is constantly evolving, and new developments may have occurred since the publication of this article. The authors are not liable for any losses incurred as a result of relying on this information.

References

1. | IT News Archive | ComputerWeekly.com, accessed on February 2, 2025, https://www.computerweekly.com/news

2. Cybersecurity Snapshot: January 31, 2025 – Tenable, accessed on February 2, 2025, https://www.tenable.com/blog/cybersecurity-snapshot-ai-security-tips-generative-ai-roi-01-31-2025

3. InformationWeek, News & Analysis Tech Leaders Trust, accessed on February 2, 2025, https://www.informationweek.com/