Government Gateway 2.0 looks to fatter future

The government's secure ecommerce service - the Government Gateway - has been updated to accommodate future growth in its first major refresh since its 2001 launch.

The online platform aims to promote joined-up government and help deliver e-services by enabling citizens and businesses to conduct transactions, such as filing tax returns and making driving licence applications, with government departments via the internet.

Version 2.0 of the Government Gateway has been designed to scale up to cope with future growth - both in the number of users and to allow new services to be added as more government departments and agencies offer e-services. It can also be ramped up to deal with usage peaks, such as when a tax-filing deadline approaches.

Last year more than three million people completed their self-assessment tax forms online, including 150,000 people on the busiest day, according to Atos Origin.

The update also offers improved performance and reliability, said Atos Origin, which is part of enGage, the IT services group that delivers the technology in partnership with the Cabinet Office. The company added that it is looking at using strong authentication, such as chip and PIN, for services that require a higher level of security - such as accessing sensitive information or for financial transactions.

Anne Ware, head of public sector at Atos Origin, said in a statement: "Working in partnership with the enGage team, we have created a Government Gateway that is well positioned for the future, continuing to be at the heart of the Transformational Government agenda and an important part of the UK government's strategy of delivering public sector reform."

Atos Origin won the £46.7m contract to run the portal and manage the third party IT suppliers back in 2006.