20
Deferred
The Department has a substantial legacy technology estate, in part because it has not prioritised...
Conclusion
The Department has a substantial legacy technology estate, in part because it has not prioritised the investment needed to keep it up to date.63 Defence Digital, the organisation responsible for leading on the digital strategy, estimates it will cost £11.7 billion over 10 years to remediate just its own legacy systems.64 We asked the Department whether it was more cost effective to fix its legacy systems gradually, or simply to start afresh with a different approach. The Department explained that from now on it will ensure its programmes set aside money to keep systems up to date for life and comply with the rules of its future architecture. The Department said it is taking a risk-based approach to 55 Q 23; C&AG’s Report para 19 56 Q 11 57 Q 10 58 Q 23 59 Q 43 60 Q 67 61 Q 93; C&AG’s Report, paras 3.5–3.6 62 Qq 93–94; C&AG’s Report, para 3.6 63 Q 45 64 Q 47; C&AG’s Report, para 11 The Defence digital strategy 15 upgrading the legacy systems it already has and considers factors such as vulnerability to cyber-attack and the value of the data. However, the Department told us it will take time for this approach to result in a healthier, more current technology estate.65 Using data for advantage
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee's (implied) recommendation, setting a Summer 2023 target, and will provide an update on its Digital Strategy implementation after the refreshed Integrated Review, while making the best use of existing digital funding.
Government Response
Deferred
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2023 5.2 The department is working through the supporting planning process for the refreshed Integrated Review; it will provide an update on the impact to the implementation of the department’s Digital Strategy following the publication of the refreshed review. In the meantime, the department is focused on making the best use of the existing funding for Digital to deliver the Digital Strategy and portfolio with pace and intensity.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Inquiry
The Defence digital strategy
Report
Thirty-Sixth Report - The Defence digital strategy
03 Feb 2023
HC 727
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
3.5 yrs
Report published
03 Feb 2023