01 April 2025
In a significant move to strengthen the nation’s defenses against cyber threats, the UK Government has outlined plans for a new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, targeting 1,000 service providers to enhance supply chain protections for critical national infrastructure..jpg?lu=504)
The proposed legislation aims to enforce rigorous cybersecurity measures in areas such as risk assessment, data protection, and network security, requiring more organizations and their suppliers to bolster their digital defenses.
This initiative looks to equip regulators with enhanced tools to promote cybersecurity resilience within the sectors they oversee. A crucial component of the legislation would mandate that organizations report a higher volume of cyber incidents, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of cyber risks across the nation.
By striving to fortify public services — including vital sectors such as healthcare and energy — the government aims not only to protect these services but also to underpin economic growth, aligning with its broader Plan for Change agenda. Recent figures from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reveal that the UK faced 430 cyber incidents in the year leading up to September 2024, with 89 cases categorized as nationally significant. Alarmingly, government research indicates that half of UK businesses experienced a cyber breach within the past year.
“Supply chains are only as strong as their weakest link. If suppliers don’t have robust cyber infrastructure in place, their entire network, including sensitive organisations across healthcare and policing, will be at risk. Malicious actors only need one entry point — such as an unpatched endpoint device — to breach an entire network and take control of systems,” said Andy Ward, Senior Vice President at Absolute Security.
Ward emphasized that securing supply chains necessitates a comprehensive cyber resilience strategy in addition to technology tools. He underscored the need for centralized security teams to maintain visibility over their network endpoints to swiftly identify suspicious activities and isolate potentially compromised devices.
The government is also considering additional protections for over 200 data centres as part of the Bill, building on the Critical National Infrastructure designation established last year, particularly aimed at safeguarding advancements within the artificial intelligence sector.
“A strategy of building a redundant network will enhance uptime and strengthen security through alternative traffic routes,” he explained, referencing LINX’s two independent network fabrics in the London Metro area, which provide members with multiple options for connecting with peers and maximizing service reliability,” said Mike Hellers, Product Development Manager at the London Internet Exchange (LINX).
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is set to be introduced in late 2025, responding to an increasingly complex landscape of online threats and reinforcing the security of the UK’s digital services as part of a broader commitment to drive economic growth.
“Ensuring the security of the vital services that will deliver that growth is non-negotiable. Attempts to disrupt our way of life and attack our digital economy are intensifying, and we will not stand by as these incidents jeopardize our future prosperity,” said Technology Secretary Peter Kyle.
