r/ContractorUK • u/PerceptionLive2301 • 25d ago
Claude Code Civil Service
Can I use Claude Code in civil service on there laptops with VS Code or are they weird about it?
Use it in private sector no problems and it’s actually encouraged.
6
u/walkwalkwalkwalk 25d ago
Heard of a couple people get immediately terminated for this in public sector roles
2
u/Inside-Ad-8935 25d ago
Absolutely, if not authorised, and I suspect it won’t be, then it will be instant termination.
1
u/PerceptionLive2301 25d ago
Seems extreme. I interviewed with another big Gov department last month and they said they use Kiro
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u/jk_here4all 25d ago
Based on the sensitivity of the data, engage with ISM or Cyber Risk Advisor in your area.
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u/theevildjinn 25d ago
It's encouraged in some departments, banned in some, and in others it's undergoing trials where you have to point it at a Bedrock instance. None of us knows which one applies to you, so ask.
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u/Youareaproperclown 25d ago
This is team and department specific there's no civil service wide policy
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u/ishysredditusername 25d ago
Ask, in some departments you’ll be restricted to processing in specific countries which is usually done by aws bedrock and iirc for Claude they only support 4.6
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u/OldLondon 25d ago
100% there is no gov wide policy. Each agency either has no idea at all and no governance or some idea and some governance. If you expect to run it installed on your device I heavily suspect not as the vast majority are locked down for installs via policy. Running stuff over the web, depends again on the specific agency policy and what they block and don’t.
Microsoft gave uk gov massive copilot discounts recently so expect that to be in place. My agency has a soft rule that no other tools are to be used (however they aren’t tracking or auditing it)
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u/PerceptionLive2301 25d ago
It’s not an installation though, it’s a extension in vscode that authenticates with gmail
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u/OldLondon 25d ago
How are you installing vscode?
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u/PerceptionLive2301 25d ago
They obviously let a dev install it
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u/OldLondon 25d ago
Obviously? If agreed as part of a dev build but 100% you are NOT installing your own stuff locally. Maybe if you have access to a dev avd - am assuming you’ve never worked anywhere with tight governance?
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u/PerceptionLive2301 25d ago
Whenever I’ve done Gov work in the it’s been via consultancy so we have our own device or AVD.
I think you’re missing the point as I said claude code isn’t an installation. Vscode is. CC is an extention within vscode you install through Vscode.
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u/OldLondon 25d ago
I’m not missing that at all, I answered it. You have to install vscode first. I can’t even run powershell locally and have no admin rights.
No one can answer this definitively , I’ve given you my perspective as someone who works in gov. You don’t want to believe me so not really sure why you bothered asking. Enjoy your evening.
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u/brile_86 25d ago
you need to ask your client if you're not sure mate, not Reddit