IET in the news
We’ve been hitting the headlines across a range of media outlets around the world.
Raising cyber-security awareness
Hitting over 300 national news outlets, regional papers and radio stations across the country, our research revealed the UK public are scared about being hacked in the future (65%) and believe hackers are becoming more inventive (84%). A fifth of people are using the same password for multiple websites and devices, with almost half using a significant date (21%) or a pet’s name (20%) as the topic of their security.
With easy-to-access passwords being crackable in less than a second, we raised awareness of our common password pitfalls and provided useful tips and insights to bolster our defences against cyber threats. Cyber-security expert and IET fellow Dr Junade Ali supported the campaign and shared his top 10 tips to boost security and keep hackers away – such as creating a password from three random words.
Junade shares his thoughts on why password pitfalls might arise, and provides cybersecurity advice on page 60 of E+T.
Engineerathon
Our Head of Fundraising Elsa Scott spoke with London Live TV in anticipation of her 26-mile Engineerathon on International Women in Engineering Day. This celebrated engineering landmarks throughout London, with a special nod to those contributed to by women, and raised money for the IET’s Futures Fund.
Some highlights included London’s Waterloo Bridge, which was largely rebuilt by women during the Second World War; the London Eye, which engineer Julia Barfield helped to create; the London Aquatics Centre, designed by award winning architect Zaha Hadid; and the Shard, which former IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year winner Roma Agrawal contributed to.
Challenging gender disparity
On International Women’s Day, and to mark the launch of this year’s Young Woman Engineer of the Year (YWE) Awards, our current YWE winner Titi Oliyide CEng took part in a broadcast morning to share stats on gender disparity in STEM.
Our latest research found that the UK public feel women are not encouraged to think about STEM careers in school (45%) and women get put off by how male-dominated the industry is (32%). Titi spoke to 10 broadcasters including BBC Radio London, LBC News and Times Radio about the research and how we can make STEM fields more welcoming and diverse. She also shared advice for girls who want to become engineers and talked about her own experiences and career highlights with listeners.
Engineering excellence
Together with BSI, we updated and called on the electrical industry to have its say on an amendment to BS 7671:2018+A2:2022, which went to Draft for Public Consultation in May.
Mark Coles, our head of technical regulations, said: “When issues arise, it’s important that standards take on the necessary changes as quickly as possible. This fast-track route to amendment will allow designers and installers to quickly get the information out to their clients and promote safety in electrical installations.”
Coverage appeared in 12 leading electrical trade magazines, including Electrical Contracting News, Professional Electrician & Installer and Electrical Times.
Future-proofing online safety and immersive technology environments
In May, Ofcom released its draft code of practice to clean up social media and search engines under powers created by the Online Safety Act. Jayne Black, our digital futures policy manager, responded with a letter that featured in The Times (online).
While Ofcom warned of social media sites that could be named and shamed – and banned for under- 18s – if they fail to comply with new online safety rules, we expressed the urgent need in legislation keeping pace with emerging technologies, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, to protect users.
Our expert voices
As a leading AI expert, Dr Gopichand Katragadda has marked his presidency of the IET with various media engagements, championing AI’s role in engineering and its potential to shape a resilient future. His interviews and thought leadership articles have covered a range of topics including India’s technology landscape and the importance of deep-tech investments, skills and sustainability – both in the UK and internationally – and ethics and regulation in AI.
High-impact coverage from across the world has included Mail Online, BBC World Business, BBC News, BBC Radio 4, CNBC India, Reuters, The Times of India, India Today, Financial Express, The Hindu Business Line and Asian News International.
Dr Laura Norton, our head of equality, diversity and inclusion, wrote an op-ed for People Management magazine as part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18-24 March) on how employers in fields with higher proportions of neurodivergent workers can foster inclusion. She also shared a comment piece with The Engineer for International Women in Engineering Day on how the sector must do better on diversity.