The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is to be the first to use the One Login for Government service, currently under development by the Government Digital Service (GDS).
Natalie Jones, director of digital identity at GDS, said DBS is working with it to create the first user journey combining authentication and identity components by April of next year.
This will enable users to request a basic DBS check their GOV.UK account by entering UK passport information and responding to questions to which only they should know the answers to prove their identity.
One Login is aimed at providing a single way for users to prove who they are in logging into any government online services. GDS is developing it alongside a mobile app for digital identity checks.
“Dealing with personal data like passport information means we need to make certain our infrastructure meets the highest standards of security and resilience,” Jones said in a blogpost. “We are working in partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre, investing in our own security architecture capability and drawing on the expertise of the Cabinet Office’s Cyber Security team.
“Getting the first services and users using GOV.UK Sign In is essential, but to really have met our vision of One Login for Government we need to quickly go from one or two to 10s and then 100s.
“So we are working with other departments, directorates, agencies and individual services to build a clear, joined up and shared roadmap. It will enable services to understand when their required functionality will be available and give clear milestones and timelines for migration.”
Authentication milestone
Jones said a significant milestone has been getting GOV.UK accounts live with the authentication component.
She added that the team is placing an emphasis on user feedback, having already conducted interviews with more than 720 users of digital identities and run more than 150 research and engagement sessions.
In September, GDS chief executive officer Tom Read outlined the development plan for One Login, saying it will need different methods of identification for different groups of people.
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
