By Richard Brown, CEO Melius CyberSafe

The UK Government’s newly proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is a game-changer. With cyber threats growing more sophisticated and widespread, this legislation marks a turning point in how the UK approaches digital security in our increasingly interconnected world.

For too long, cyber security has been an afterthought for many businesses, viewed as an optional extra rather than a fundamental necessity.  Resilience has not improved to keep pace with cyber threats, and this can have serious real-world impacts. This Bill has the potential to change that, moving the UK toward a future where cyber resilience is not just recommended but mandatory for all organisations.

A massive step in the right direction

The proposed Bill aims to strengthen the UK’s defences against cyber threats, particularly those targeting essential services and supply chains. This is critical. In recent years, we’ve seen major cyberattacks disrupt the NHS, the Ministry of Defence, and local councils, proving that no organisation is immune. By broadening regulatory scope and mandating stricter security measures, the government is taking a much-needed step toward proactive cyber defence.

But the benefits extend beyond national security.  Creating a more secure digital landscape fosters trust, drives innovation and bolsters investment. When businesses can operate with confidence, they are better positioned to grow, adapt and thrive in a competitive global market.

Empowering regulators, strengthening businesses

One of the most significant aspects of the Bill is its increased regulatory oversight. It enhances the power of regulators, especially the ICO, giving them the ability to conduct proactive investigations and establish mechanisms to recover costs from enforcement actions. Another key aspect of the bill is its requirement for businesses to report cyber incidents, including ransomware attacks. This is crucial for improving national cyber resilience. In the past, many attacks have gone unreported, leaving gaps in our understanding of threats and response strategies. By mandating disclosure, the government will gain better visibility into emerging risks, allowing for faster and more effective responses to benefit the wider cyber industry.

Greater clarity on critical suppliers and security frameworks

Another key aspect of the Bill is the clearer definition of critical suppliers, those essential to national and economic security. This includes organisations providing key digital services, such as Managed Service Providers (MSPs), cloud providers, and data centres, which often form the backbone of modern business operations. These organisations will now be subject to stricter technical and methodological security requirements to ensure they do not become weak links in the supply chain.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)’s Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) will likely play a central role in shaping these requirements. Businesses will need to align with its principles to meet compliance standards, ensuring their risk management, governance, and resilience strategies adhere to best practices. This added clarity will remove much of the uncertainty that has often surrounded cyber security compliance, helping businesses proactively enhance their defences in a way that hopefully doesn’t over burden them with red-tape or bureaucracy.

Aligning with global standards

The UK is not acting in isolation. The NIS2 Directive in the European Union is pushing for similar measures, and other countries are taking steps to tighten cyber regulations. This Bill ensures that the UK does not fall behind in global efforts to combat cyber threats. For businesses operating internationally, alignment with these evolving standards will be crucial for maintaining trust and competitiveness.

Final thoughts

The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is more than just another piece of legislation, it’s a signal that the UK is taking cyber security seriously. While no law can eliminate cyber threats entirely, this Bill represents a major step toward making businesses and public services more resilient.

While this Bill is a step in the right direction, I have concerns about how much practical guidance it offers for small and medium sized businesses, many of whom lack in-house cyber expertise. A significant proportion of businesses still only act after a cyberattack has occurred, rather than implementing preventative measures. Without clearer support for SMEs, there is a risk that compliance remains a challenge rather than an achievable goal.

One way to drive wider adoption of cyber security best practices would be the mandatory implementation of Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+) as a minimum standard for any business operating online. This would establish a baseline of security across all sectors and ensure that even smaller businesses have fundamental protections in place.

Another key recommendation is the requirement for every business to appoint a designated cyber security lead, responsible and accountable for overseeing cyber defences. By placing cyber security within an individual’s remit, businesses would be more likely to take proactive steps to improve adoption, awareness, and response times.

At Melius CyberSafe, we are on a mission to make cyber security simple, safe and affordable for the UK’s small and medium sized business.  We welcome this change and have long advocated for a future where cyber security is not optional but essential.  This Bill takes us closer to that goal, ensuring that businesses take the necessary steps to protect themselves, their customers, and the wider economy.