Cybersecurity has long been a boardroom concern, but the UK government’s new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (CSRB) makes it unavoidable. Announced in the King’s Speech (November 2024) and moving through Parliament in 2025, the Bill signals the most significant overhaul of the UK’s cyber regulation since the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018.

A Rising Tide of Threats 

The case for tougher legislation is well established. High profile cyber incidents have exposed weaknesses not just in individual organisations but across critical supply chains.

• NHS WannaCry Attack (2017): A ransomware strike disrupted 80 NHS trusts, cancelled 19,000 appointments, and cost an estimated £92 million in direct expenses.
• UK Business Losses: Cybercrime cost UK businesses around £87 billion between 2015 and 2019 and continues to with recent research finding that 52% of UK businesses have suffered at least one cyberattack in the past five years, equating to around £44 billion in lost revenue.

A Step Beyond NIS (2018)

This Bill builds on the Network and Information Systems Regulations (NIS 2018), which were the UK’s first attempt to regulate critical digital services. But since then, the cyber threat landscape has evolved dramatically:

• Cloud dependency has reshaped operations
• Remote hybrid working has expanded the attack surface
• Hybrid infrastructure now underpins both national security and private business

The government’s April 2025 policy statement confirmed that the Bill will modernize, expand and toughen the UK’s regulatory environment. In doing so, it aligns more closely with the EU’s NIS2 Directive and global frameworks like DORA.

Key Changes Security Leaders Must Note:

1. Wider Scope of Coverage

The Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) extends obligations to:

• Managed Service Providers (MSPs): Often the gateway into enterprise systems, MSPs are now recognised as critical vector of risk
• Data Centres & Critical Suppliers: Entities forming the backbone of digital infrastructure can be designed and regulated.

For large scale integrators or organisations relying heavily on third parties, this is a direct call to tighten supply chain governance.

2. Stricter Incident Reporting Timelines

Firms will be required to notify significant cyber incidents within 24 hours, followed by a detailed report within 72 hours. This mirrors NIS2 but also sets a new operational benchmark for UK businesses. This change forces security teams to formalise incident detection, escalation and executive communication protocols.

3. Stronger Regulatory and Government Powers

The Bill grants the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which regulates digital service providers under NIS, greater information gathering authority and empowers the Secretary of State to intervene rapidly where national security is at stake. This raises the stakes for businesses operating in critical supply chains.

Why it Matters for the Security Sector

For professionals in the sector, this Bill underscores two pressing realities:

• Cybersecurity is now board level accountability. A recent CIISec’s State of the Security Profession report revealed that over 90% of cyber professionals believe responsibility for failings lie with senior leadership. The CSRB hardens that position where executives can no longer delegate security and resilience to IT teams without scrutiny.
• Resilience is as important as prevention. The emphasis is not just on stopping attacks but ensuring continuity. Security leaders will need to demonstrate layered defences, fallback processes, and recovery strategies.

Action Points Ahead of Implementation

Security professionals should view this Bill not as another compliance checklist but as a framework for stronger governance. Practical steps include:

• Audit the Supply Chain: Assess MSP’s and third-party vendors for resilience standards
• Update Incident Response Plans: Ensure compliance with the 24/72 hour reporting thresholds through stress testing and simulations.
• Educate the Board: Brief executives on their new responsibilities under the CSRB, highlighting accountability and liability.
• Align with Global Standards: Map controls against NIS2, ISO 27001, and DORA to streamline compliance across jurisdictions.

The Integration Reality

While the CSRB sets ambitious goals, the rollout will face challenges. As past examples show, from delays in NIS adoption to uneven enforcement, regulation takes time to bite. But unlike before, the stakes have never been higher.

For the security sector, the Bill is not just another compliance hurdle, it is a signal of how deeply cybersecurity is now tied to business resilience, public trust, and national security. Those who adapt early will set the benchmark for secure, resilient, and trusted operations in an era where the next incident is not a matter of possibility, but probability.