The UK government’s cyber security and resilience bill is a major step forward in strengthening national defences against cyber threats. In the last 18 months, our hospitals, universities, local authorities, democratic institutions, and government departments have been targeted in cyberattacks. In today’s world, where digital systems deliver services and financial operations alike, this legislation showcases a commitment to enhancing preparedness against cyber threats by strengthening resilience and improving response times for organisations in various sectors amid the constantly evolving landscape of cyber security threats.
At Goaco we view this as a needed and positive step that offers a structured guide for companies to enhance security measures and adhere to regulations while building trust among customers and stakeholders. But what does this mean in practice? And how can organisations prepare?
What the bill seeks to accomplish
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is an evolution of the existing UK regulations, which include the National Cyber Strategy 2022, the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework, and the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act. The bill will strengthen our position and guarantee that more crucial digital services than before are protected.
Key focus areas include
Stronger cyber resilience in critical infrastructure – The bill has expanded the scope of obligations to cover more sectors, including managed service providers (MSPs), who will now be liable for securing their supply chains.
Improving the incident response and notification processes – Establishing clear procedures for detecting, responding to, and notifying regulators about cyber incidents.
Enhanced supply chain security – Organisations will have to perform due diligence on their third-party vendors and ensure that all of them are secure.
Enhanced roles and responsibilities – Senior management will be expected to play a more significant role in the cyber security management of their organisations.
Better protection of the public sector – This will ensure that government departments and other public bodies meet higher security standards to protect citizen’s data and services.
This is in conformity with the global practice, as more governments are now regulating cyber security more strictly following increased large-scale ransomware attacks, cyber warfare by states, and increased risks to critical infrastructures.
The UK government aims to align its efforts with those of other countries by enhancing the NIS Regulations through this Bill. The changes highlight the following key changes to the UK’s regulatory framework:
1) Widen the coverage of the regulation to include more digital services and supply chains.
2) Equipping regulators to ensure that minimum cyber safety measures are in place.
3) Increasing the level of reporting of incidents to the government to enhance its understanding of cyberattacks.
Why these matter
A report from the UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 revealed that 50% of UK businesses experienced a cyberattack in the past year, with phishing being the most common threat. Additionally, the UK National Audit Office (NAO) recently warned that many public sector organisations lack the resources to defend against sophisticated cyber threats.
With growing pressure from regulators, businesses that don’t act now will face not only increased risk but also potential penalties and reputational damage.
The good news? There are practical steps organisations can take today to align with the principles of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.
How Goaco helps organisations prepare
At Goaco, we provide tailored cyber security solutions to help organisations meet the requirements of the new bill while improving their overall resilience.
Cyber security assessments – We conduct in-depth risk assessments based on the NCSC cyber assessment framework, identifying weaknesses in your hardware and software that criminals could potentially exploit to compromise your organisation’s operations and customer safety, using our CREST certified Penetration Testing team to validate or invalidate any possible findings.
Managed security operations centre (SOC) – Our 24/7 SOC services ensure real-time threat detection and response, using AI-powered analytics to improve the efficiency of our systems using anomaly detection, behavioural and predictive analysis.
Compliance support – We assist organisations in aligning with regulatory requirements, ensuring they meet the necessary cyber security and resilience standards outlined in the bill.
Penetration testing and vulnerability management – Our strategic approach helps find gaps and weaknesses within your digital infrastructure. Our experts conduct thorough assessments of your systems, applications, and networks to uncover potential security risks using advanced tools and techniques. We simulate real-world attack scenarios to evaluate your defences resilience and provide actionable recommendations for the immediate elimination of identified threats.
Supply chain security audits – With an increasing focus on third-party risks, we help organisations assess, monitor, and secure their supply chains, ensuring all vendors comply with security best practices.
The future of cyber security in the UK
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is a big step towards creating a stronger, more secure digital future. But compliance is just the beginning – businesses must go beyond regulations and adopt a proactive, security-first mindset.
At Goaco, we work with organisations across the public and private sectors to future-proof their cyber security strategies, defend against threats, and turn compliance into a competitive advantage.
Now is the time to act. Let’s secure the future together. Contact us today.
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About Goaco
Goaco is an award-winning global consultancy collaborating as a partner with the public and private sector, delivering innovative solutions and experiences that align to the needs of people, places and planet. Click here to find out more.
