The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), a UK government agency responsible for background checks and barring individuals from regulated activities, is undergoing a significant digital transformation to modernize its identity verification processes, as outlined in a newly published “DBS 2028 strategy” document. The initiative aligns with broader UK government strategies to streamline digital services and enhance security, leveraging certified digital identity service providers (IDSPs) and moving away from potentially controversial biometric approaches.
The DBS transformation aims to reduce reliance on traditional, often cumbersome, verification methods. By embracing digital identity solutions, the agency hopes to improve efficiency, reduce processing times, and enhance the overall experience for both applicants and organizations requiring DBS checks. The shift is part of a larger UK government push to digitize public services, as evidenced by the GOV.UK One Login initiative, which aims to integrate 100 services by 2025. This existing infrastructure provides a framework for the DBS’s modernization efforts.
The move towards digital identity solutions is not unique to the DBS. Belgium, for example, is [planning to launch digital ID cards on smartphones by late 2026, demonstrating a global trend towards embracing digital identity. This broader movement highlights both the opportunities and potential challenges associated with implementing such systems at scale.
The initiative is supported by the UK government’s recent emphasis on digital identity plans, publicly highlighted in the King’s Speech last July. The DBS’s adoption of certified digital identity service providers (IDSPs) is a key component of the modernization.
Source: UKAuthority, DBS
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April 3, 2025 – by Ji-seo Kim
