As cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, the UK government has taken a decisive step forward with its Cyber Security and Resilience Policy Statement. The statement, which was just published, outlines a series of legislative proposals designed to fortify the nation’s critical infrastructure against ever-evolving cyber risks.

Managing the growing cyber threat

Cyber attacks on critical services such as healthcare, power, and water have become a growing concern. The 2024 cyber attack on Synnovis, which disrupted vital health services, underscored the need for a more robust regulatory framework. As the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has pointed out, there is a widening gap between the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the current defenses in place.

To bridge this gap, the government is proposing substantial enhancements to the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations and introducing new executive powers to respond to cyber threats when national security is at risk.

The key proposals 

The proposed legislative measures focus on four critical areas:

1. Expanding the scope of cyber regulations
   • Data centers, Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and other cloud-based and digital service providers will now fall under the scope of the NIS Regulations.
   • The designation of data centers as critical national infrastructure will be put on a statutory footing, ensuring they receive greater government support in anticipating and recovering from critical incidents.
   • The government will also have the ability to designate specific high-impact suppliers who will be required to comply with the same standards as critical national infrastructure entities.
2. Providing regulators with more tools
   • Regulators will be equipped with stronger mechanisms to oversee cyber security compliance within their respective sectors.
   • A wider range of cyber incidents will need to be reported, including those affecting data confidentiality, spyware attacks leveraging digital service providers, and other integrity-compromising incidents.
   • Regulated entities will be required to notify their sector-specific regulator and inform the NCSC within 24 hours of discovering an incident, followed by a full incident report within 72 hours.
3. Enhancing legislative flexibility
   • The framework will have built-in flexibility, allowing for agile updates to address emerging threats and evolving technological landscapes.
   • New sectors can be incorporated into the regulatory framework as necessary, ensuring that the UK remains ahead of adversarial tactics.
   • The secretary of state will be empowered to update regulations without requiring an act of Parliament, allowing for timely adaptations to new risks and technological advancements.
4. Introducing executive powers to address cyber threats
   • The government will gain the authority to intervene directly in response to cyber threats where national security is at risk.
   • A new power will allow the secretary of state to issue directions to regulated entities to take action against specific cyber threats.
   • These directions would typically be laid before Parliament for public scrutiny unless doing so would present a national security risk.

Securing supply chains and strengthening compliance

Recognising the growing cyber threats within supply chains, the government is also introducing stronger security duties for operators of essential services and relevant digital service providers. Inspired by a trial-run in the financial sector, where leading banks have already incorporated Cyber Essentials certification into their supplier requirements, this initiative aims to harden cyber security across broader critical sectors.

While these new measures may increase costs for up to 1,100 providers, the government argues that these investments will position MSPs and other suppliers as trusted and reliable partners in the cyber security landscape.

To ensure compliance, regulators will receive enhanced enforcement powers and cost recovery mechanisms, allowing them to take decisive action against non-compliant entities.

The role of the NCSC 

The NCSC plays a pivotal role in implementing and supporting these regulatory advancements. By providing resources such as the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), the Cyber Resilience Audit scheme, and the Cyber Essentials assessment service, the NCSC will enable businesses and regulators to assess and enhance their cyber security posture effectively.

Moreover, raising awareness and fostering a culture of cyber resilience across industries will remain a top priority. Organizations must proactively adopt best practices, engage with trusted cyber security frameworks, and prepare for evolving threats.

A more secure digital future?

This statement represents a big step in fortifying the UK’s critical national infrastructure. As the legislative process unfolds, collaboration between the government, industry and cyber security professionals will be essential in refining and implementing these measures.

Organisations likely to be impacted by the new regulations should take the time to familiarize themselves with the details of the policy statement and prepare for the forthcoming changes. The stakes are high, but with a strengthened regulatory framework, the UK is taking a proactive stance in safeguarding its digital future.

Vinciworks’ cyber security courses prepare your team for all cyber risks with training and micro-learning modules on a range of topics from social media to IT security.