The Digital Information and Smart Data Bill ("DISDB")
The DISDB aims to innovate the use of data to create economic growth, improve people's lives, enable more advanced research and strengthen the ICO's position as a regulator. We're seeing some of the proposals in the DISDB have resurfaced from the now dropped Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (No.2) – the establishment of Digital Verification Services and Smart Data schemes, the reform of way data is used to register births, deaths and in the health and social care system, and the strengthening of the ICO. Reference is made to targeted improvements to some data laws to improve their clarity, though they may not be the weakening points included in the previous Bill – there is a commitment to maintain high standards of protection.
New proposals include:
- Development of a National Underground Asset Register through creating a new digital map to revolutionise the way data can be transmitted through pipes and cables to allow secure, instant access;
- Improving the way data can be used for research by broadening the consent required; and
- Establishment of a Data Preservation Process that can allow access to information as part of investigations into a child's death where needed.
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill ("CSRB")
The measures proposed by the CSRB suggests that the UK's approach to cyber security may become more aligned with that of EU legislation, to protect the UK against the rapidly rising threat posed by cyber criminals. Key proposals of the CSRB include:
- Broadening the scope of the regulation to protect more digital services and supply chains which are more vulnerable to cyber attacks;
- Strengthening the ability of regulators to ensure that essential cyber safety measures are implemented (such as making available more resources and strengthening investigatory powers); and
- Increased incident reporting to improve the Government's understanding of cyber threats and potential attacks and ransoms.
You can read the King's Speech in full here.
We'll keep you updated on the developments as and when more detail has been published. If you have any questions or queries, please do reach out to us.
