The Government has moved closer to creating minimum requirements in cyber security for public sector procurement.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has given the indication in its newly published Government response to the call for views on supply chain security.
In announcing the publication – which deals with the issue of cyber resilience in the digital supply chain for the whole economy – it highlighted proposals for new procurement rules to ensure the public sector buys services from firms with strong cyber security.
The document says that respondents to the DCMS call for views reacted positively to the idea of minimum requirements in public procurement, with more than 60% saying it would be very effective, along with other steps such as certification or assurance marks, legislation and targeted regulatory guidance.
This reflects the critical role that cloud and managed service providers play in delivering public services and building the UK economy, and the growing awareness that public authorities are high risk targets for cyber attacks.
The Government now plans to develop more detailed policy proposals and review the relevant laws and measures in advance of a new national cyber strategy.
It is also aiming to work with international partners on a joined up approach to security providers of digital services.
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