Cloud adoption has reached a tipping point, with four in five large Australian companies using or planning to use the technology for mission-critical applications, a survey suggests. [ + ]

Scientists from the ANU and University of Otago have developed prototype quantum hard drive technology that can store data for up to six hours, potentially paving the way for globe-spanning quantum networks. [ + ]

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence has issued its top five predictions for the digital criminality landscape in 2015, including the trend for companies to actively search out cybercriminals before they can strike. [ + ]

From attackers hiding behind encryption, to ransomware developers targetting smaller businesses and unwanted software slowing down your smartphone, the new year will see a host of security and privacy concerns evolve. [ + ]

IBM has announced an expansion of its global cloud computing network to 40 cloud centres with 12 new locations to help enterprise clients move to hybrid cloud computing. [ + ]

This week: Optical illusions for computers; Lunar Xprize extended to end of 2016; Amazon glitch sees goods sold for 1p; Queensland hospitals hit by computer glitch; and a system failure closes London's airspace. [ + ]

Protecting against the myriad cyber threats is a massive undertaking that is only going to become more complex. Threat intelligence will be a key weapon in that battle. [ + ]

Australian organisations are adapting their business models to be more customer focused and see social media as a key component of this transformation, Deloitte said. [ + ]

20% of employees have uploaded corporate data to cloud storage with the intent of sharing it outside the company, and businesses are doing a bad job of limiting access to that data, a survey shows. [ + ]

Researchers from CA Technologies and Swinburne University of Technology have developed an AI technique for applying service virtualisation without the need for expert knowledge. [ + ]

This week: Microsoft allows US customers to pay using Bitcoins; the federal government gives telcos four months to develop a copyright code or have one forced on them; and Arista hits back after Cisco launches patent and copyright legal action. [ + ]

After months of negotiations, NBN Co has signed agreements allowing it to progressively take control of parts of Telstra and Optus's HFC networks, as well as copper assets from Telstra. [ + ]

Over 85% of Australian companies plan to at least sustain their IT training budgets next year, and consider improved proficiency to be the most effective outcome. [ + ]

Optus Business has won a seven-year whole-of-business deal to manage Suncorp's ICT services, including network and call centre services. [ + ]

Microsoft will start hosting its cloud-based Office 365 and Dynamics CRM suites in Australian data centres from March next year and has added more local partners to its network of providers. [ + ]