The UK’s upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill marks a major shake-up in the country’s approach to protecting critical digital services and infrastructure. Building on the 2018 NIS Regulations, the Bill will expand the scope of cyber regulation to include managed service providers and major data centres, acknowledging their vital role and vulnerability in today’s economy.
Key measures will toughen supply chain security, introducing explicit requirements for regulated organisations to manage third-party cyber risk, and even designating certain “Critical Suppliers” for direct oversight. This means cybersecurity accountability will cascade through the supply chain, closing gaps exploited by attackers.
The Bill also introduces a stricter incident reporting regime. Companies will need to report significant cyber incidents within 24 hours, with a follow-up report due in 72 hours — far broader than existing UK rules — and notify customers where their data or services might be affected.
Baseline security requirements will be formalised using the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Assessment Framework, giving regulators clearer benchmarks and powers to enforce compliance. Regulators will gain stronger information-gathering and enforcement tools, funded through new industry-paid fees, to proactively monitor cyber risks.
Crucially, the Bill includes delegated powers so that cyber rules can be updated rapidly as threats evolve, future-proofing the regime. Compared to EU and US models, the UK’s proposal blends international best practice with unique innovations like “critical supplier” designations and a strategic direction for cyber oversight.
For businesses, the message is clear: expect tighter regulation, a spotlight on supply chain resilience, faster reporting timelines, and more active scrutiny. Compliance teams should start assessing their exposure now and prepare for a higher bar of cyber resilience.
