{"id":42688,"date":"2021-12-16T11:03:41","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T11:03:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/icloud.pe\/blog\/?guid=2331ed1e6f32edee2189e7ba91bb0ff5"},"modified":"2021-12-16T11:03:41","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T11:03:41","slug":"the-biggest-tech-stories-of-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/icloud.pe\/blog\/the-biggest-tech-stories-of-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"The biggest tech stories of 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n Bobby Hellard<\/a><\/span>
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24 Dec, 2021<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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This was supposed to be the year we discovered what the \u2018new normal\u2019 would look like. On reflection, however, 2021 appears to be a near-replica of 2020, with conversations around\u00a0hybrid working<\/a>\u00a0and further mutations of\u00a0COVID-19<\/a>\u00a0equally rife.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

That being said, we saw a number of significant stories that might yet go on to define the tech world this year. From corporate leadership changes to global security incidents, the industry was as eventful as ever over the last 12 months.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Microsoft Exchange Server terrorised<\/h2>\n
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The\u00a0Microsoft Exchange Server exploit<\/a>\u00a0has arguably been the longest-running story of 2021. The tech giant was first notified of four zero-day bugs in January, but these weaknesses were still being exploited as late as November.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Exchange Server is a software suite used by small and large enterprises around the world and includes email, calendar and collaboration services. It quickly became apparent just how many companies use the service when reports began emerging of mass-scale\u00a0data breaches<\/a>. By exploiting the four vulnerabilities, hackers were able to launch remote code execution (RCE) attacks to hijack servers, embed backdoors, insert malware and steal data.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite Microsoft releasing patches in March, the exploit was abused throughout the year, with hackers mainly targeting unpatched servers. The US, and other allied countries, have since pointed the finger at a Chinese group known as Hafnium.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mixed messaging on remote work\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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The UK is ending 2021 as it started; with\u00a0COVID-19 restrictions in place<\/a>, this time to fight the spread of the\u00a0Omicon variant<\/a>. Specifically, the government has recommended those who can work from home should do, which was the same guidance in place up until July.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Over the summer, however, the government appeared to be divided on the subject of\u00a0returning to the workplace<\/a>. There were concerns, for instance, that shops and restaurants, particularly in town centres, would close down without footfall traffic. In July, Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that\u00a0remote working<\/a>\u00a0would not be the \u2018new normal\u2019 because people wanted to get back to in-person meetings and office collaboration.\u00a0Just a week later<\/a>, though, Liz\u00a0Truss, the minister for women and equalities, called for bosses to make flexible working a standard option for all new employees. This mixed messaging on remote work from policymakers stands in stark contrast to tech giants as they\u00a0strive to define what hybrid work means<\/a>.<\/p>\n