The federal government has handed Microsoft two contracts worth a combined $14.4m covering custom support for the now-obsolete Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 operating systems. [ + ]

Researchers have discovered a serious vulnerability that could affect up to 95% of Android devices in use, while HP Fortify has tested 10 smartwatches and found them all to have vulnerabilities of their own. [ + ]

The eRx Script Exchange has now processed more than 1 billion medical prescriptions electronically and is in use by nearly 20,000 Australian GPs. [ + ]

BSA | The Software Alliance has settled seven cases involving use of pirated software by Australian businesses this year so far, raking in a total of $147,000. [ + ]

Cisco has prepared a detailed response to the Australian Government Cyber Security Review, suggesting wide-ranging reforms including ensuring that the new ACSC has a greater influence on the states. [ + ]

Nearly all Australian security professionals believe that there should be legal penalties for companies inadequately safeguarding customer data, a survey shows, with some even supporting jailing the CEO. [ + ]

This week: Where supercomputers go to die, Firefox barks at Windows, FBI "not ready" for cyberthreats, hackers take aim at rifles, and robots take over baseball and badminton. [ + ]

There are three golden rules to ensuring your business won't be left behind by fast-moving developments in IT and new business models. [ + ]

Fujitsu will spend $12.2 million upgrading its Western Sydney Data Centre, including a $7 million power infrastructure upgrade and a $5.2 million upgrade of internal infrastructure capacity. [ + ]

nbn plans to hire another 4500 workers to help accelerate rollout of the network, and is particularly targeting retired telco workers as well as school leavers and construction workers. [ + ]

Australian smart ticketing and payment technology vendor Vix Technology has picked up a $27m contract to supply components of Malaysia's planned unified public transport ticketing system. [ + ]

Majority of iiNet shareholders approve TPG takeover, 1 billion Android phones vulnerable to SMS attack, and Hawking and Wozniak issue AI weapons warning. [ + ]

Businesses must realise that the cost of data breach-led identify theft far exceeds the expenses required for complete security protection, said Matt Miller, Director, ANZ, F5 Networks. [ + ]

The ANU has been selected to host the Australian office of the World Wide Web Consortium (WC3), the group that plays an instrumental role in developing web standards and guidelines. [ + ]

The first public report from the new Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) shows that security incidents involving critical local systems and infrastructure are on the rise. [ + ]