Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Planning

In early October, the Southern California Local Network was treated to a talk by Ian G Mills on his career in Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity, including some examples based on what to do when you are helping run the IT infrastructure in a government ministry when your country is invaded… The Insurance Information Institute suggests that about 25% of businesses that close following a disaster do not open their doors again, and as a disaster could befall a business directly, or its partners. Ian explained that businesses should prepare contingency plans for scenarios both within, and outside each companies control, as a supply or distribution chain disruption can also cause problems so businesses need to plan for their failure too. For example, the road to a distribution center might…

Air Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) Event

On the 13th of October, a group of members and non members attended the Wales North LN Annual Safety Lecture which was held at Glyndwr Optic. This year, our speaker was Ron Pierce a Safety Consultant who gave a fascinating talk about "Air Collision Avoidance Systems". This started with the first air collision in 1922, developments in World War 2, use of VHF Radio, the hazard rating scale used by Air Traffic Controllers before moving on to modern communications systems. We heard about TCAS operating principles, audible alerts in the cockpit plus many other features. There are, at any one time, five million people flying in passenger aircraft and we were all reassured about the safety of this for of transport. We are very grateful to Ron and judging by the depth and quality of the questions,…

The Cyber Peak; Expectations Of Market Size And Projections.

I recently researched the potential growth of the Cyber Security market;   1.The Europe Cyber Security Market is expected to grow to $35.53 billion by 2019 and will contribute to 27 % of the global market by 2019. 2.The Middle East and Africa Cyber Security Market is expected to grow to $13.43 billion by 2019 and will contribute 7.19% of the global market by 2019. 3.The Asia Pacific Cyber Security Market is expected to group to $13.43 billion by 2019 and is expected to contribute to 17.21% of the global market by 2019. For something to peak, it is implied that there has been a shift from a baseline. A modern day laboratory would take a specimen sample (something unknown) and identify peaks. The peaks contain functional groups and the lab would identify the chemical makeup of its compounds.…

IET-UK New President: Professor Jeremy Watson

Volunteers needed for Young Professionals Network

The Young Professionals Network is one of the active communities, which provides opportunities for like-minded people to network, share ideas and expertise, collaborate, learn and keep abreast of news and views. YP committee members are a group of young engineers and scientists from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines living and working in the Greater Manchester region. We organise a range of events throughout the year which are targeted at IET members and non-members in the early stages of their careers. Some are social and others are informative (technical lectures by industry experts; IET workshops focusing on career development and Chartership; technical tours to engineering organisations etc.). Would you like to be part of the Young Professionals Network? We are looking for volunteers…

IBC Review - The Forefront of Technology in International Broadcasting

IET Central London Evening Lecture, Savoy Place, 12-Oct-2016 A joint event between the IET and RTS, The Royal Television Society   The aim of this panel discussion was to provide a review of, and feedback from, the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) held in Amsterdam in September.   Being completely ignorant of the RTS and IBC, I was fearing some drear recap of conference proceedings. Luckily it was the opposite, and I found myself being informed, entertained and energised. I found the enthusiasm of all the speakers infectious. I really wished that I'd been at the conference and exhibition itself.    For me, the format was novel and effective: We had a knowledgeable and easy-speaking anchor man in Nigel Walley (of Decipher Media Group). After setting the scene, Nigel called up each…

Speaker News - Prof David Wallom: Big data analytics for smart power networks

On 8th November we have our Big data analytics for smart power networks  seminar which is being held at our flagship venue IET London: Savoy Place    Our next speaker highlight focuses on Professor David Wallom: About the speaker: Prof David Wallom is Associate Professor and Associate Director – Innovation of the Oxford e-Research Centre, where he leads two separate research groups Energy and Environmental Informatics and Advanced e-infrastructure & Cloud Computing. He has led over 45 research projects in areas such as Energy Analytics, Cloud computing, Smart Grids, Research data management, Green IT, cybersecurity and institutional repositories.  He is a member of the GCHQ recognized University of Oxford Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security and the academic Board Member of the HEFCE…

Those Magnificent Men And Ladies In Their Flying Machines

With our Addressing Ageing Aircraft Sustainment Issues Seminar  coming up on 26 October, one of our volunteers has started this list of Aircraft Clubs/Trusts in relation to Vintage Aircraft, some of which are still airworthy. Apart from the wellknown ones like: Shuttleworth Collection at Biggleswade, Beds  IWM Duxford , Cambridge  Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton, Somerset  Vulcan to the Sky Trust , Doncaster      He also came up with the following: Vintage Aircraft Club Aims and History.  The present Vintage Aircraft Club has evolved from the Vintage Aircraft Group, which was originally formed in 1964. The change of name in 1974 reflected the expanding membership and scope of the club. The aim of the Vintage Aircraft Club is to provide a focal body for owners, pilots and enthusiasts of vintage…

Could Robots Replace Human Employees?

A report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) earlier this year claimed that the rise of robots and artificial intelligence will wipe out 7.1 million jobs by 2020 , with the greatest losses in white-collar office and administrative roles. These losses will be partially offset by the creation of 2.1 million new jobs - mainly in more specialised areas such as computing, mathematics, architecture and engineering - but this still equates to 5 million net job losses. - Daily Mirror The IET’s Paul Davies talks to the Daily Mirror about the rise of robotics and AI following a report from the Science and Technology Committee Read more...

IET Brunei Network YPS Committee 2016 - 17

YPS Chairman    Ong Boon Jing YPS Vice Chairman Tay Shieh Cherng YPS Secretary    Lo Yuan Sheng YPS Treasurer  Onn Hui Jin Committee Member    Onn Hui Jin Committee Member    Ms Tieng Chwei Peng Committee Member    Khairul Anwar Bakar Committee Member    Ak Mohd Abd Aziz Pg Hj Hassan Committee Member    Muizz Alipah Committee Member    Hj Muhammad Noor Azmi Hj Suhaimin Committee Member    Mohd Khairuddin Jaya Committee Member    Freddie Tong Committee Member    Tan Kah Wee

IET Brunei Network Committee 2016 - 17

Honorary Chairman      Simon Leong Kian Ann Honorary Vice-Chairman   Lt Col (U) Schufin Hj Brahim Honorary Secretary     Hj Jailani Hj Buntar Honorary Assistant Secretary     Major Wan Farhan bin Hj Ibrahim Honorary Treasurer     Pg Hj Masle Pg Hj Hamid Committee Member     Hj Amrinal bin Hj Amir Committee Member     Md Khairul Anwar Committee Member     Freddie Stephen Tong Committee Member     Dr. Tang Shi Siong Committee Member     Dr. William Voon Committee Member     Lim Sam Lee Committee Member     Muhd. Aminuddin Mohd. Yusof Committee Member     Tan Kah Wee Committee Member     Mohammad Hilmi Hassan YPS Chairman            Ong Boon Jing

IET Victoria Network Committee 2016

Chairman:  Mr Arthur Baoustanos  Vice Chairman: Mr Raj Ranasinghe Secretary:  Dr Priyantha Karunadasa  Treasurer:  Ms Michelle Zhao YPS Chairman:  Evan Barrett Committee Member:  Mrs Maria Vukovic Committee Member & IPRA:  Mr  Mr Jananthan (Jana) Ratnasabapathy Committee Member:  Mr Mahinda Wickramasuriya  Committee Member: Mr Weibin He (David) Committee Member:  Mr Robert Tatton-Jones Committee Member:  Mr. Peter Reven

Ada Lovelace Day Photos

Ada Lovelace Day 2016 was held at the newly refurbished IET Savoy Place building. IET Vice President gave the opening speech to the event. View the images

Images from the Robot Wars Best Female Role Model Award

Professor Noel Sharkey launch a new award, sponsored by the IET Women's Network, Mentorn Scotland and in association with Responsible Robotics, to celebrate the Best Robot Wars Female Role Model. View images

IET Merseyside and Western Cheshire Newsletter

The latest newsletter is now available as a flip book.  Click the link to see the newsletter on-line:- Newsletter

Big Data Analytics For Smart Power Networks - Speaker Update

Today, I have another speaker update for you for our Big Data Analytics for Smart Power Networks event coming up on 8th November. Douglas Wilson, PhD; Chief Scientist WAMS, GE Grid Solutions  About the speaker : Douglas is Chief Scientist for WAMS with GE Grid Solutions. He is involved in strategic innovation projects within GE and with industry partners worldwide.   He joined Psymetrix Limited at its startup in 1998, and was Chief Technical Officer up to the company’s acquisition by Alstom Grid in 2011. Douglas was involved in creating and applying the world first real-time oscillation management system. Douglas was designated a Senior Expert in Alstom Grid, and received awards in the Alstom’s Innovation programmes.  Douglas has been involved in various consulting projects with customers,…

Presentation at G C School of Careers (Elementary and High School)

Another succesful event was held yesterday, at one of Cyprus' schools (G C School of Careers). Dr. Alexis Polycarpou and Mr.Alkis Spyrou presented and introduced Engineering and the IET to students of the private school in Nicosia. The students (ranging from elementary up to high school and graduates) were very keen to ask questions about engineering and the IET. These events have been organised annual by the Cyprus Network in order to inspire young students on engineering. The next event will be held at Pascal English School.

Railway YP Group Going Underground!

The Railway Network YP Group organised a visit to the new Crossrail station at Canary Wharf on the 20 September. We arrived to the Crossrail headquarters in the heart of Canary Wharf and met the rest of the group – a chatty bunch of about 20 early-mid career professionals, from a range of career backgrounds and industries.   The visit started with a presentation from Terry Morgan (Chairman, Crossrail). The presentation included an introduction to the background of Crossrail and some of the company’s initiatives. The particular highlight was understanding how Crossrail have developed and influenced skills development and the growth of apprentices across the whole industry.   After the presentation, the group got kitted-up in orange Crossrail-branded PPE (there was no way we were getting lost…

Call To Action For Young Railway Professionals

The IET Railway Network Young Professionals Group is looking for more volunteers to join our enthusiastic community of rail engineers from across the globe. We need your help to influence our strategy and events, as well providing ideas, support and discussion for furthering the aims of the IET.   The IET Railway Network YP Group sets the IET’s program of events and activities for young professionals. Being part of the group increases your awareness of industry hot topics and events as well as broadening your professional network.   Being part of the YP group means being part of an active and sociable network that is passionate about the industry and furthering the aims of the IET.  We are especially looking for volunteers who will help us to develop our online presence as well as help to organise…

ARTS TPN - All Revved Up And Ready To Go!

Welcome to the 2016-17 session, which we're starting with a change in Chairman for the TPN.  Pete James  from Lyra Electronics Ltd, has recently stepped down after a three year period of office and has handed the role over to Matthew Clarke from Atkins,   I recently had a meeting with the ARTS Executive team volunteers when we started to develop the activity plan for this session.  There are some good ideas in the plan around Big Data, Innovation in Transport and Connected Corridors, and we’ll be having further meetings/conference calls to progress these activities in the next few months.   Two of the activities that we are making good progress include an Electrification in Motorsports daytime seminar in Coventry on 2 February 2017 and we’ve got some excellent speakers lined up for the event…

Elaborate Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall kit includes three boxes – and gloves

Samsung appears to be taking no chances with its potentially explosive Galaxy Note 7 – supplying customers with an elaborate kit to use when returning their phones. The safety precautions include a static shield that needs to be put inside a box, inside another box, inside a final flameproof box – and a pair of gloves for handling the protective materials involved - The Guardian Learn more...

Top 10 Movie Scenes That Feature Trains!

1. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) A young Indiana Jones (played by River Phoenix) steals a priceless artefact from a gang of criminals and then escapes via a circus train.  During the chase he fights off the criminals, almost gets impaled by a rhino, develops a life-long fear of snakes and acquires his iconic whip and hat.   2. From Russia with Love (1963) A brutal fight scene between Bond (Sean Connery) and SPECTRE agent Grant (Robert Shaw) in a cramped carriage on board the Orient Express.    With a gun turned on him and the realisation that Grant is an imposter, Bond utters the immortal line: "Red wine with fish. Well, that should have told me something." 3. The General (1926) Classic Buster Keaton film that features nearly every stunt imaginable on a train, including a chase…

IET Vice President; Virginia Hodge Helps to Support the #9PercentIsNotEnough Campaign

Vice President and Fellow of the IET helps to promote the #9PercentIsNotEnough campaign before giving the opening speech at Ada Lovelace Day, which was held at IET London:Savoy Place. The event was an amazing success!

New ITS Evaluation Guide, Published By IET Launched In Melbourne On 10 October 2016

International Benefits Evaluation Community’s ( IBEC ) new ‘Evaluation of Intelligent Road Transport Systems: Methods and Results’ handbook was officially launched at this week’s 23 rd ITS World Congress taking place in Melbourne on 10-14 October at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. After more than three decades of development and deployment of ITS, decision makers would like to know the impacts; researchers would like to study the new methods used and compare the results in different countries; industry partners would like to know the state of the art and the trends. Until now, there has been no book that provides such knowledge and insights. Its editor, IBEC vice-chair Dr Meng Lu, who is Strategic Innovation Manager at Netherlands-headquartered Dynniq, has orchestrated global…