The new classification system was launched last week, and will reduce the current six tiers of classifications down to three: official, secret, and top secret. Doing so will allow departments to purchase IT off the shelf, rather than relying on bespoke locked-down systems that can only work with the six current classifications.
A new design of building pass is also being introduced for civil servants, to allow them to visit all Whitehall departments without having to be escorted. The passes will be rolled out from this autumn, although the Cabinet Office acknowledged that it will take longer for the underlying technology to catch up.