Analysis: gaps in procurement transparency are nothing new
The health secretary cited the demands of coronavirus response after being rapped for failing to meet publication deadlines for major contracts. But perusing procurement databases suggests this is no anomaly, PublicTechnology finds
‘We’ve launched 18 new digital services since the start of the pandemic’
Worcestershire County Council’s digital delivery leader Jo Hilditch tells PublicTechnology...
Vendor view: The impact of Covid on local government’s supplier relationships
PublicTechnology talks to David Hipwell from SAP Concur about the role of the public...
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Coronavirus has been a boon for cybercriminals
Fake online shops, malware, phishing emails and ransomware attacks on hospitals have been among the scams perpetrated by bad actors during the pandemic
How secure is government and should we have a right to know?
In a lengthy attempt to find out about the security of government’s software systems, PublicTechnology finds a very uneven approach to transparency and what constitutes sensitive information
How big is the UK’s cyber skills gap?
A major government-commissioned study found that about half of UK organisations are lacking basic security skills. PublicTechnology talks to the researchers behind it to find out where the skills gaps are and how they can filled
The fog of cyberwar
For governments and armed forces around the world, the digital domain has become a potential battlefield. But this new realm of warfare brings with it many ethical and legal complications. PublicTechnology talks to digital ethics expert Dr Mariarosaria Taddeo to find out more.
Cyber national security: how the UK has prepared itself for major attacks
We are approaching the fourth anniversary of the foundation of the NCSC and the threats it was created to respond to loom larger than ever. PublicTechnology examines the growth of the UK’s cyber-defence capability
Using data to better understand the hidden crime of domestic abuse
Criminal justice data shows about 60,000 convictions per year, while public surveys reveal 2.4 million adults experience domestic abuse. The ONS tells PublicTechnology how it has brought together information from a range of sources to help policy makers and support services
How can local government get it right on shared services?
Experts from councils and industry partners discuss the key benefits and challenges to consider if local authorities are to reap the rewards of sharing services
Virtual voting, remote working and fake news – the tech legacy of coronavirus
Experts discuss what the lasting impact of the pandemic might be for government and the public sector
What next for GOV.UK Verify?
The identity-assurance tool is being used more than ever just as its future grows more uncertain. PublicTechnology examines what might happen to the service in the longer term
How Barnsley Council is building its own IT services and sharing them ‘for the greater good’
The authority’s IT manager Richard Kingston explains why local government needs to collaborate for the benefit of citizens
‘We hope more people will ask for help’ – how an NHS trust is using virtual reality to treat phobias
Patients in the East of England can now use immersive technology to help overcome mental health conditions. Gill Hitchcock finds out more.
How Denmark aims to ‘create trust’ in contact-tracing tech
The CEO of Danish tech firm NetCompany tells PublicTechnology why the country’s existing digital infrastructure could help encourage adoption of its soon-to-launch coronavirus response app
One in six government service assessments ends in failure
PublicTechnology research finds that failing to consider user needs is the most common stumbling block, with a lack of simplicity and intuitiveness also a frequent failing
DVSA uses AI and agile to support ‘a lifetime of driving’
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has already done a great deal of work implementing technology across its operations. But digital chief Alex Fiddes tells PublicTechnology it has even bigger ambitions.
Analysis: A few pioneers, but councils and NHS still show limited uptake of digital outcomes
After four years, usage of the government’s flagship vehicle for agile service design support is still predominantly used by Whitehall. PublicTechnology research assesses uptake so far among local government and NHS trusts – and which local public sector entities are leading the way
Interview: BJSS public sector head on government tech trends
BJSS is a technology consultancy with nearly ten years experience helping the public sector deliver a range of projects. Head of public sector Susheel Dodeja sits down with Geoffrey Lyons to discuss some of the work to date and the digital trends that will define the coming years
‘The stakes feel higher but, with good practice, it need not be scary’ – NHS.UK design lead on responding to coronavirus
The current crisis has placed an unexpected – and perhaps unwelcome – weight of responsibility on service designers. The NHS website’s lead designer Dean Vipond discusses how to cope with the fear and stay focused on users and outcomes
GDS chief on why the agency needs to lead from the front on service design
Director general Alison Pritchard tells PublicTechnology that the organisation still has a key role to play in building services
Analysis: which departments are seeking digital outcomes?
The Digital Marketplace, and the frameworks it supports, are designed to help Whitehall procure in an agile way. But PublicTechnology finds the frequency and type of usage varies significantly across departments
Coronavirus: can we keep track of our sensitive data?
The current crisis has prompted an openness to sharing information and a willingness to forego some of the usual restrictions on doing so – even with commercial entities. PublicTechnology examines the current climate, including two major public-private collaborations, and what it means for personal data, now and in the future
How one London borough is defending against the dark web
Faced with threats from the dark web, Bexley ramped up its cybersecurity with a managed service. Gill Hitchcock finds out more.