Plans to drive down the cost of digital certification have been mooted by the Government, as part of a bid to improve security and convenience when using local eGovernment services. Digital certificates allow a user to prove their identity when conducting various transactions.

At present, certificates cost around £25 each. Digital certificates are an established way to provide security to website users, yet the current high cost has limited their popularity. By creating a huge new market for digital certification, the new Government Connect initiative hopes to drive down the cost to £5. It is a move that is of mutual benefit to the public and the Government. Chris Haynes, Programme Sponsor for Government Connect in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, believes reduction in the cost of such authentication is integral to the successful deployment of local eGovernment services, whilst citizens will benefit from the reduced cost of proving their identity online.

Security and authentication of identity is of paramount importance if trust is to be gained in eGovernment services. It will be interesting to see how Government Connect can project popular demand for local eGovernment services, to the extent that the cost of digital certificates drops to the hallowed £5 target. If the price was reduced and sales of certificates increased, it would certainly make internet transactions more secure for many UK users.