Digital ID was refreshed in the King’s Speech today, pushing the broader benefits to society. The speech outlined landmark laws, including the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, designed to accelerate protections for critical infrastructure and supply chains amid lots of cyber-attacks.
The government also said that new legislation to support cyber security research and increase the security of enterprise connected devices may also be introduced.
Jennifer Holmes, CEO of London Internet Exchange, commented: “As the Government outlines its priorities in today’s King’s Speech, the continued focus on cyber security and digital resilience is both welcome and necessary. The UK’s economy, public services, and critical national infrastructure increasingly rely on fast, secure, and resilient internet connectivity, making the resilience of the networks underpinning the internet more important than ever.”
“Internet exchanges play a critical role in keeping data flowing securely and efficiently between networks, supporting everything from businesses and financial services to healthcare and public sector operations. As cyber threats continue to evolve in scale and sophistication, investment in resilient digital infrastructure and strong cyber defences will be essential to ensuring the UK remains secure, competitive, and connected.”
Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said: “As the Government sets out its vision for digital public services in today’s King’s Speech, it is vital that tackling digital exclusion remains central to any plans for Digital ID systems.”
“While Digital ID in the UK may now be framed as voluntary, international experience shows that digital systems can quickly become essential in practice, particularly as public and private services increasingly move online. For the 19 million people in the UK currently experiencing digital exclusion, this creates a real risk of new barriers to accessing essential services.”
