BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

The major global AWS (Amazon Web Services) outage today has caused significant disruption across multiple sectors worldwide. BCS Fellow Prof Victoria Baines appeared on CNN this morning to share expert analysis on the incident, explaining the technical reality behind the headlines and highlighting the importance of real-time response from technology teams. It’s vital that public conversations about technology are informed by professionals who understand both the risks and the reality. It's great to see our members providing trusted insight in the media, helping the public understand what’s happening and restoring confidence in our digital systems and the IT profession. 🎥 Watch the interview below, and join the discussion in the comments 👇

Celebrating regional success at the National Apprenticeships and Skills Awards 🏆 We’ve been thrilled to sponsor the SME Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award across all nine regional ceremonies of the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2025, which recognise outstanding small and medium employers championing apprenticeships and digital talent across the UK. Congratulations to all the regional winners and highly commended organisations. You’re proving daily how apprenticeships help businesses grow, innovate and thrive. 👏 Thank you to our BCS team members who joined events around the country to present the awards and celebrate with these brilliant employers. We’re already looking forward to the National Finals this November—good luck to all the regional winners!

It's one week until the nomination period for BCS Council opens! We need your voice, experiences and your vision are key to building a council that reflects our membership. Get ready to nominate yourself! #BCSCouncil

📣 Calling all T Level teachers! As part of T Levels Week, we’re inviting tutors, lecturers and careers leads to register their learners for: 🚀 BCS Get Ahead in Digital Week 2026 🗓 19–22 January | 💻 Free, live online webinars for Digital T Level students and teachers Designed to provide an industry view on key themes in the Digital T Level curriculum and develop essential and employability skills. Each one-hour session connects students with real tech professionals and role models. Topics include: ✅ Cyber security basics ✅ AI in action ✅ Digital workplace behaviour ✅ Data responsibility ✅ Personal branding 🎓 Plus: career journeys from Digital T Level alumni To book onto the individual webinars, please click on the link below: 🔗 https://hubs.ly/Q03NqQDP0

Celebrating Ada Lovelace Day - Building on a Legacy of Inclusion in Tech Today, on #AdaLovelaceDay, we celebrate the world’s first computer programmer, and the generations of women who’ve shaped our digital world since. This year’s celebration feels especially poignant, as we remember Dame Stephanie “Steve” Shirley CH DistFBCS, who sadly passed away aged 91. In one of her final contributions to BCS, Dame Stephanie, a true pioneer who founded one of the UK’s first software companies run by women, reflected on Ada’s life and enduring influence. In her article, she writes about first discovering Ada’s work as a young graduate in the 1950s and how that moment of recognition inspired her lifelong admiration: “Here was someone — and a woman at that — who had anticipated what we were about and had helped to lay the theoretical groundwork for it over a century earlier. I was smitten, and I have remained smitten ever since.” At BCS, we believe tech should be a place where everyone can thrive. Through our member groups, including BCSWomen, founded by Professor Sue Black OBE, we bring together professionals from all backgrounds to share knowledge, build networks and champion inclusion across the industry. Read Dame Stephanie Shirley’s Ada Lovelace Day article: https://hubs.ly/Q03NqTJw0 #AdaLovelaceDay #WomenInTech #DiversityInTech #BCS #BCSWomen

Strategic Volunteer Leadership Opportunity at BCS Join us in driving excellence in IT education and development. We’re looking for a visionary leader to join BCS as Trustee Director/ Vice-President, BCS Learning & Development. Application deadline is 12 noon on 27 October 2025 - https://hubs.ly/Q03MKttj0

Taking BCS to the heart of government Recently we attended the Labour Party Conference, to make the case for a trusted, ethical and skilled tech profession. We championed professional standards in AI and digital leadership, ensuring technologists like you are recognised as vital to shaping the UK’s future. These conversations influence how government approaches AI regulation, digital skills and public-sector innovation, policies that directly affect our work and careers. Read more here - https://hubs.ly/Q03Nfg-50

As part of Black History Month, we’re proud to highlight Coding Black Females, CBF Fest 2025, a celebration of innovation, connection, and Black excellence in technology. 🗓️ 24–25 October 2025 📍 Virtual (24th) | In-person at the Good Hotel, Royal Docks, London (25th) The two-day event brings together technologists, leaders, and learners for live demos, talks, and workshops on some of the most exciting areas in tech: from AI and cybersecurity to fem tech, robotics, and blockchain. It’s a great opportunity for professionals across the sector to hear fresh perspectives, explore emerging technologies, and connect with a thriving community of Black talent driving the future of tech. 🔗 Get your ticket today: https://hubs.ly/Q03MN5Pc0 #BlackHistoryMonth #CodingBlackFemales #CBFFest2025 #DiversityInTech #Inclusion #WomenInTech

“Our greatest ethical responsibility is to never lose sight of the human beings behind the technology.” Jonathan Sammut, Director of Digital Services at Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, recently shared what becoming a BCS Fellow means to him and why ethics, professionalism, and courage are non-negotiables for digital leaders. For Jonathan, Fellowship isn’t about recognition, it’s about responsibility: 💡 To uphold the highest professional standards, because lives depend on it. 💡 To prove that your background doesn’t define your ceiling. 💡 To lead with purpose, integrity, and curiosity and open doors for others. From embedding digital professionalism to using technology to close gaps, not widen them, Jonathan believes the computing profession has the power to transform society for the better. His advice to the next generation? 🔹 Be curious, brave and kind. 🔹 Don’t wait for permission to lead. 🔹 Challenge the old ways — and build better ones. Interesting in learning more about Fellowship? Join one of our Fellows of the Future: Introduction to Fellowship events to learn more and understand if you're ready to apply: https://lnkd.in/eTGUu4zA

Lead the Future of IT Education BCS is recruiting a volunteer senior leader with a passion for shaping professional standards, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact. Apply for Trustee Director/ Vice-President, BCS Learning & Development by 12 noon on 27 October 2025 - https://hubs.ly/Q03MJ-lY0