The Bank of England has significantly scaled up its investment in IT hardware by £7.7 million over the past three years, purchasing laptops, phones and tablets as part of a broader digital transformation strategy aligned with increased demands for cybersecurity, remote access and operational efficiency.

Between June 2022 and May 2025, the UK's central bank acquired over 7,200 devices, reflecting a strategic commitment to modernising its technology infrastructure amidst evolving digital and security needs.

The largest procurement surged between June 2023 to May 2024 when units surged from 1,140 the previous year to 4,271, with mobile phone purchases increasing by 80 per cent to 1,350 units costing £5.2 million for this period.

The move echoes broader themes in public sector digital policy, where hardware procurement, data governance, and responsible AI deployment are being treated as interconnected pillars of modern infrastructure.

Arakadiy Ukolov, Co-is environment demands privacy-first infrastructure where users retain control of their information. Operational efficiency and AI success rely on robust, enclosed IT environments, staff awareness, and responsible technology strategies that put security at the heart of transformation."

As the UK financial sector continues to evolve amidst global digital disruption, the Bank of England's device strategy underscores a key insight that in the race towards AI, digital governance and solid infrastructure are essential.

Sachin Agrawal, Managing Director for Zoho UK commented: "As the UK continues to establish itself as a global hub for science and innovation, it's encouraging to see public institutions like the Bank of England take a long-term, strategic approach to digital infrastructure investment. With rising cyber threats and growing regulatory scrutiny, equipping staff with secure, modern devices is no longer optional, it's essential. Businesses would do well to follow the lead of government bodies by prioritising the tools that enable both security and productivity."

"As the UK deepens its leadership in AI, fintech, and research, robust and reliable infrastructure will be the foundation for secure data sharing, more intelligent public services, and meaningful cross-sector innovation."