Scotland adopts secure platform for unified digital services

Scotland is set to overhaul its public sector communications infrastructure with the introduction of a secure, nationwide digital platform. The Scottish Government has chosen Netcompany to deliver an integrated system that will serve as the single point of contact for all communications between public authorities and citizens.

Infrastructure overhaul

The new digital platform is intended to replace a patchwork of paper-based and multi-channel communication methods currently in use. The system aims to centralise notifications, document exchange, and appointments, providing a consistent experience for users.

Netcompany has been tasked with implementing the solution based on its AMI platform. This platform allows for secure, two-way communications that comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) standards. Through the platform, citizens will be able to send and receive official documents, arrange appointments, and interact directly with various government services online.

System capabilities

The architecture of the system is designed to be both modular and reusable, supporting fast deployment and future expansion. Netcompany will integrate the new platform with ScotAccount, which is the single sign-on service used by citizens to access public sector digital services in Scotland. This integration is intended to deliver a unified digital experience.

The infrastructure is expected to support millions of users and accommodate thousands of government service interactions. The platform's scalability is based on experience drawn from previous projects in other European countries, particularly Denmark.

Danish experience

Netcompany previously developed a national digital mailbox system for Denmark. The solution there connects more than 92% of adults and all private companies, handling over 55 million official communications through integration with 15,000 different systems. According to Netcompany, 83% of Danish citizens report satisfaction with the service.

The company's experience in Denmark serves as the model for Scotland, albeit with local adaptation to cater to regional needs and policy.

Deployment plans

The Scottish Government and Netcompany will identify the first public sector bodies to transition to the new platform. A prototype of the new system has already been successfully tested with Food Standards Scotland and NHS Scotland. The broader rollout follows groundwork laid by Scotland's CivTech programme, which has sought to foster digital approaches within government services.

Strategic aims

"By building the new digital communication infrastructure on our AMI platform, Scotland will benefit from proven technology and domain expertise already applied across Europe. Based on reusable components tailored to local needs, the platform ensures both speed and security in delivery. This approach accelerates Scotland's digital journey and demonstrates both the scalability and adaptability of our solution to meet varying country-specific needs. This is a significant opportunity to help nations digitalise their critical infrastructure and create real value for citizens," said Thomas Rysgaard Christiansen, Partner, Netcompany.