PublicTechnology’s biggest stories of the year
A reminder of the shocks, scandals and success stories that shaped the world of government technology in 2022
Valuable advice – inside the Government Office for Technology Transfer
The newly established GOTT aims to help agencies realise the value of their assets. Its chief...
Common complaints – why the ICO is considering revamping FOI casework
A ‘perfect storm’ of factors helped create a significant backlog of information-access...
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‘Unless you get the ethics of data right, you'll fail on the effectiveness as well’
The head of the Royal Statistical Society Stian Westlake talks algorithms, politicians and the current ‘favourable wind’ gathering in government behind his profession
The coronavirus ‘infodemic’: truth and conspiracy online
The spread of online misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated a public health crisis. PublicTechnology digs into a recent parliamentary inquiry to find out more about the response from social media companies and government
Ministerial caricatures, presidential letters, and overseas stamps – FCDO lifts lid on 300 years of documents
The newly created department has published a full inventory of the nearly 10,000 paper documents that form its archive
Lifesaving data – how NHS Digital has worked with researchers to support coronavirus response
Research director Tom Denwood explains how the national digital services agency has helped use information to better understand issues including effective treatments for Covid-19 and the impact on patients suffering from other conditions
What does the Huawei ban mean for the Emergency Services Network?
The Home Office tells PublicTechnology work is on track and security risks are ‘minimal’. But onlookers remain concerned about the implications of the presence of Huawei technology in the new network for police, fire and ambulance services.
Inside DWP’s digital coronavirus response – APIs, reuse and micro-services
In the face of huge demand for its services, the DWP was able to call on a library of reusable tools, the department’s integration lead Jacqui Leggetter tells PublicTechnology
‘We are a British company with only British datacentres – and a commitment to pay our taxes’
UKCloud has joined the major cloud players in signing a public-sector wide agreement. The firm’s CEO Simon Hansford tells PublicTechnology why it’s important for government to have choice.
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.