Guidance

Secure connected places

The home page for DSIT’s work supporting the secure and sustainable deployment of connected places technology, also known as smart cities.

The National Cyber Strategy 2022 outlined the Government’s aim for the UK to be at the forefront of the secure and sustainable adoption of connected places technology. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) contributes to this aim by delivering policy which supports the cyber security of the UK’s connected places. To do so, DSIT’s Secure Connected Places team works closely with managers of connected place projects and suppliers of connected place technologies to ensure that communities across the UK can enjoy the benefits of secure connected places.

This page will provide you with an insight into the work we do, including past and active projects.

What is a connected place?

A ‘connected place’ is defined by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) as:

A community that integrates information and communication technologies and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to collect and analyse data to deliver new services to the built environment, and enhance the quality of living for citizens.

A connected place will use a system of sensors, networks and applications to collect data to improve its operation, including its transportation, buildings, utilities, environment, infrastructure and public services.

Connected places can provide a range of functions and services to citizens. However, strengthening and maintaining cyber resilience within these technological systems and the security-mindedness of the people deploying them is crucial to ensure connected places are secure and associated data is protected. Where reference is made to ‘connected places technologies’, this refers to the technology that commonly underpins a connected place system.

Why not ‘smart cities’?

Connected places are often referred to as smart cities. However, it is important that it is not only urban areas that can deploy and benefit from these technologies. Rural communities can benefit from a range of uses such as environmental monitoring, healthcare and predictive road maintenance. Further, there is a lack of consensus on the definition of what ‘smart’ is which can introduce confusion on what constitutes ‘smart’ technology. As a result, DSIT, NCSC, and CPNI use the term connected places.

Demand policy

This section relates to DSIT’s work to support the UK’s connected places demand sector, which is made up of organisations that buy, manage, and operate connected places technologies. Examples of these organisations can include local authorities, universities, and transport operators. It includes research conducted by DSIT, and guidance to support demand stakeholders to deploy connected places technology in their area securely.

Supply policy

This section relates DSIT’s work to support the UK’s connected places supply sector, made up of suppliers of connected place technologies. This ranges from suppliers of hardware such as IoT sensors to service providers such as data analytics. It includes research conducted by DSIT and guidance to support the secure supply of these technologies.

Governance

This section relates to DSIT’s role in chairing a number of governance structures on secure connected places. We convene a range of other government departments and industry experts to ensure knowledge and learnings are shared.

  • Find out more about our External Advisory Group which provides us with expert advice to help inform our policy making

Further reading

Progressing our work on Secure Connected Places: Where we’ve gotten to and where we’re going - blog post

Enhancing growth and managing risks in secure connected places - blog post

Connected and secure places - podcast

Read our International Evidence research project, exploring how other countries are approaching the challenge of cyber security in connected places.

Contact us

If you would like to get in touch with a question relating to our policy work on secure connected places, please get in touch with us at: secureconnectedplaces@dsit.gov.uk.

Updates to this page

Published 3 November 2022

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