A Major Step Toward a More Cyber-Resilient United Kingdom
The UK Government has today introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at modernising and strengthening the nation’s cyber defences.
This Bill — introduced to Parliament on 12 November 2025 by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) — represents a major update to the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018, which have formed the foundation of the UK’s cyber-resilience framework for critical national infrastructure and essential services.
Expanding the Scope of Cyber Regulation
Under the proposed Bill, the UK will broaden its cyber-resilience regulations to cover a wider range of critical and digital services, including:
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Healthcare and the NHS
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Energy and Water Utilities
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Transport and Logistics
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Digital Service Providers and Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
The Government aims to ensure that the organisations supporting the UK’s most vital systems and digital economy maintain robust protections against emerging cyber threats — from ransomware and data breaches to state-sponsored attacks.
Key Highlights of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
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Expanded Regulatory Coverage:
The Bill will bring new sectors and suppliers into scope — including managed service providers, data centres, and digital infrastructure companies deemed critical to national operations. -
Stronger Incident Reporting:
Organisations will face enhanced obligations to report cyber incidents swiftly and comprehensively, enabling regulators and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to identify and respond to threats more effectively. -
Critical Supplier Designation:
The Secretary of State will gain powers to designate certain service providers as “critical suppliers,” imposing stricter resilience and reporting standards. -
Enhanced Regulator Powers:
Sectoral regulators will be empowered to enforce compliance, recover oversight costs, and direct organisations to implement stronger controls when required. -
Strategic Oversight and Information Sharing:
The Bill introduces a mechanism for the Government to set out a “Statement of Strategic Priorities,” guiding cyber-resilience objectives across regulated sectors.
Why This Matters Now
Cyber threats are increasing in both volume and sophistication.
Recent reports estimate that cyberattacks cost the UK economy over £14.7 billion annually, with public services among the most targeted sectors.
By expanding regulatory coverage, improving transparency, and tightening oversight, the UK Government aims to close critical gaps in national cyber readiness — while also ensuring supply-chain resilience for essential services that citizens depend upon every day.
ICCSO’s Perspective
As an organisation dedicated to building cyber-resilient communities, ICCSO welcomes this decisive move to modernise the UK’s cyber-resilience framework.
This legislation is expected to:
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Increase accountability and preparedness among essential service providers.
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Encourage cross-sector collaboration on cyber resilience.
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Create opportunities for public–private partnerships, innovation, and community-driven initiatives to strengthen cyber awareness and response capabilities.
ICCSO will continue to support stakeholders — from small businesses to large infrastructure providers — through training, advisory engagement, and knowledge-sharing platforms that align with the UK’s evolving cyber-security and resilience goals.
Preparing for the Road Ahead
While the Bill is still at the introduction stage, it signals a clear direction for the future of cyber governance in the UK. Organisations, service providers, and technology partners should begin assessing their readiness by:
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Reviewing incident-response and reporting frameworks.
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Strengthening supplier and third-party risk management.
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Aligning existing controls (ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, SOC2) with the new legislative requirements.
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Participating in community knowledge programmes such as those led by ICCSO and NCSC.
ICCSO encourages all members and partners to stay informed as the Bill progresses through Parliament and to take early steps toward compliance and resilience readiness.
Sources:
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UK Government – Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Factsheets
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Reuters – UK plans tougher laws to protect public services from cyberattacks
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Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) – Official Bill Publication
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UK Government – Press Release: Tough new laws to strengthen the UK’s defences
Note: The Bill is currently under Parliamentary review. The final provisions and implementation timelines may be updated through secondary legislation or regulatory guidance once enacted. ICCSO will continue to monitor developments and share updates with the community.