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UK Unveils Cyber Security Bill to Protect Critical Infrastructure

The proposed legislation aims to bolster defences against escalating cyber threats targeting healthcare, energy, and IT sectors, with new standards and regulatory powers.

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Overview

  • The UK government has announced the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which will be introduced to Parliament later this year to address vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
  • The Bill mandates stricter cyber security standards for approximately 1,000 private IT providers supporting essential services like healthcare and energy.
  • Regulators will gain enhanced powers to enforce compliance and require companies to report cyber incidents, improving threat visibility and response.
  • Key provisions include protections for over 200 data centres and the ability for the Technology Secretary to update regulatory frameworks as threats evolve.
  • Intelligence agencies warn of significant risks to national infrastructure, with cyber incidents costing the UK economy £22 billion annually and disrupting vital services.