Posted on: 24th February 2026, by Magrathea
In our newsletter in August 2025 – when the weather was sunny, dry and warm – we highlighted the proposed Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications (SSP) from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) while it was in consultation. Now in a dark, cold and wet winter, the draft is to lie for 40 days before both houses of Parliament for approval.
Although framed as a high-level strategic document, the SSP has real implications for us and our clients as it sets the direction of travel for how Government expects security, resilience and growth to intersect across the UK’s digital infrastructure.
A Growth-Driven Security Strategy
The SSP aligns with the Government’s broader economic mission: driving UK growth and delivering for working people. Its central message is clear, secure and resilient digital networks are not simply regulatory requirements; they are critical enablers of economic growth.
The policy encourages:
- A more proactive approach to resilience and risk management
- Stronger collaboration between Ofcom and industry
- Increased focus on security, fraud prevention and compliance
- A regulatory environment that supports both resilience and simplification
For us and clients it signals that security, resilience and fraud controls will continue to move up the regulatory and commercial agenda.
There are clear cost considerations, including:
- Investment in network resilience and security
- Enhanced due diligence and KYC/KYT processes
- Stronger fraud detection and mitigation capabilities
- Potential additional compliance expectations
However, we don’t think this is purely a cost and compliance story. The SSP also presents opportunity.
As the UK transitions further to IP and digital services, businesses will need trusted, secure communications partners. Clients will benefit if they can position themselves as secure, reliable partners for enterprise and SME customers. As a network with 25 years’ experience of working in digital voice and a positive reputation in investing time and expertise in managing out bad actors we can support that position.
Ofcom’s Balancing Act
Ofcom sits between Government and industry and will be responsible for bringing aspects of the SSP to life. This is likely to mean strengthened expectations around resilience, security and fraud, while simultaneously attempting to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden and associated costs.
Historically, Ofcom’s focus has centred on individual consumer protection. Yet the risks addressed in the SSP – particularly fraud and service resilience – affect small businesses just as significantly. The industry has long argued for a broader regulatory lens that better reflects business users’ needs. How Ofcom balances these competing pressures will be critical.
Our Conclusion:
Clients should not wait for any detailed plans from Ofcom. Those who respond pro-actively can shape their market positioning and avoid costly reactive changes later. In a market where trust and reliability are increasingly decisive, security and resilience are no longer just a technical requirement – they are a strategic asset.