Showcase Magazine Summer 2025 - Flipbook - Page 19
CYBER SECURITY
THE UK’S CYBER
SECURITY AND
RESILIENCE BILL
WHAT IS IT?
The United Kingdom is poised to introduce a
transformative piece of legislation: the Cyber Security
and Resilience Bill. As digital threats continue to
evolve in both sophistication and scale, this proposed
legislation marks a pivotal shift in how the UK
protects its critical digital infrastructure. With a
stronger focus on regulation, oversight, and
modernised standards, the bill is set to redefine the
national cyber security landscape.
DID YOU KNOW?
Approximately 20% of UK businesses
reported experiencing a cyber crime in the
past 12 months including ransomware and
phishing attacks. In 2023, it was estimated
to cost UK businesses over £30.5 billion
KEY PROVISIONS
Roughly 1,000 additional organisations will
fall under stricter cyber security obligations.
These businesses will need to demonstrate
compliance with security requirements.
The bill introduces enhancements to the
Cyber Essentials programme encouraging
businesses to adopt good cyber hygiene,
including: improved verification processes,
password-less authentication systems, and
real-time incident reporting obligations.
Changes are designed to make compliance
more robust, encouraging organisations to
adopt modern security practices in line with
evolving threat models.
WHY IT MATTERS
Cyber attacks have become an almost daily occurrence,
impacting everything from healthcare services to local
councils and private businesses. In response to this
growing threat, the UK government has drafted the Cyber
Security and Resilience Bill with the aim of strengthening
national cyber resilience, particularly within organisations
that underpin critical services. This bill is not just reactive;
it’s
proactive.
It
recognises
the
increasingly
interconnected nature of our systems and seeks to
implement forward-looking safeguards that will protect
both public and private sectors.
IMPACT ON BUSINESS
The bill will have wide-reaching implications for
businesses of all sizes. Large enterprises will need to
reassess their supply chain security, ensuring that their
third-party vendors are also compliant. Smaller
organisations may face a steep learning curve as they
work to meet new standards, but the government has
pledged to provide support and resources to ease the
transition. Fines for non-compliance are also set to
increase, bringing regulatory weight behind the
recommendations. For some organisations, this may
necessitate a significant investment in cyber security
infrastructure, staff training, and continuous monitoring.
A DIGITALLY RESILIENT FUTURE?
Experts have generally welcomed the bill, viewing it as a
timely and necessary evolution in the UK’s approach to
cyber security. As more sectors digitise their services and
rely on cloud infrastructure, the importance of a strong,
enforceable cyber security policy cannot be overstated.
However, the bill also raises important questions. Will
organisations have enough time and support to comply?
How will enforcement be handled in practice? What
safeguards exist to prevent overreach or misuse of
regulatory powers?
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