A new Bill introduced to Parliament aims to better protect essential UK services against cyber attack.
UKC3 has welcomed the introduction of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which aims to strengthen national security and protect growth by boosting cyber protection for services that people and businesses rely on every day.
In the face of increasing cyber threats, the Bill aims to prevent disruption within healthcare, water, transport, and energy – keeping the taps running, the lights on and the UK’s transport services moving.
Recent cyber attacks on managed service providers (MSPs) have highlighted the need for updated legislation. Last year, hackers accessed the Ministry of Defence’s payroll system via a managed service provider.
Meanwhile, other recent attacks – such as the Synnovis incident in the NHS – resulted in more than 11,000 disrupted medical appointments and procedures and some estimates suggesting costs of £32.7 million.
UKC3 Co-chair Simon Newman said: “This Bill is important for the UK’s cyber sector.
“By focusing on the resilience of essential services, Parliament is recognising not just the importance of effective cyber defences, but also the urgent need to help businesses, councils and community organisations withstand and recover from attacks.
“We support legislation that empowers the sector, and the country, to raise the bar for digital safety and continuity.”
This legislation builds on the momentum created by the recent publication of the Cyber Governance Code of Practice, which provides a clear framework for organisations to manage their digital risk.
The UK Government recently published the Cyber Governance Code of Practice, giving organisations simple rules to manage digital risk. The new Bill means more services – including shops, hospitals, and councils – will need to improve their cyber security, raising standards for thousands of organisations in the long run.
It follows a recent letter from government ministers including the Technology Secretary, Chancellor and Business Secretary to business leaders and FTSE 350 firms, urging them to strengthen their cyber defences to face down the growing range of threats targeting the UK’s leading organisations.
Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall MP, said: “Cyber security is national security. This legislation will enable us to confront those who would disrupt our way of life. I’m sending them a clear message: the UK is no easy target.
“We all know the disruption daily cyber-attacks cause. Our new laws will make the UK more secure against those threats. It will mean fewer cancelled NHS appointments, less disruption to local services and businesses, and a faster national response when threats emerge.”
