Why the CS&R Bill Matters
The UK Government is introducing new legislation, the Cyber Security and Resilience (CS&R) Bill, which aims to modernise the country’s approach to digital resilience. The Bill is expected to become law during 2026 and is designed to reflect today’s digital operating environment.
It builds on and replaces the 2018 Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations. The scope is widening, and with that comes increased obligations for central and local government organisations, along with the suppliers they rely on.
IT leaders across the public sector will need to get ahead of the changes to avoid risks linked to non-compliance or operational disruption. By understanding the intent and structure of the CS&R Bill early on, government teams can begin preparing their systems, policies and partnerships in a way that’s proportionate, practical and sustainable.
What the CS&R Bill Means in Practice
The CS&R Bill expands the current regulatory approach to reflect the increasing complexity of public sector digital services and supply chains.
One key change is the inclusion of more digital service providers. That includes managed service providers (MSPs), cloud hosting, data centres and other digital infrastructure critical to delivering government services.
The Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), which many central government departments already use, will become a legal requirement rather than a recommended standard. The Bill also introduces tighter incident reporting rules. Public sector organisations and their suppliers will be required to report cyber incidents more promptly, including incidents originating in the supply chain.
Regulators will have greater powers to enforce the law, from requesting audits to applying financial penalties. Importantly, the Bill also brings governance into sharper focus. Leadership teams will be expected to take accountability for cyber resilience – not just at the point of failure, but as part of ongoing risk management and service assurance.
Connecting with Existing Frameworks (CAF & GovAssure)
Many central government organisations are already familiar with the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) through the GovAssure programme. This new legislation strengthens its relevance.
Under the CS&R Bill, local government bodies and more suppliers will also be expected to adopt CAF to demonstrate cyber resilience. For those already using the framework, the Bill provides continuity and a clear direction of travel.
Organisations new to CAF can start with a self-assessment or get external support to begin embedding the framework. You can also reference Defence Standard 05-138, which outlines technical guidance in line with CAF principles.
What IT Leaders Should Focus On
- Determine Scope and Exposure
Identify which of your services may fall under the new regulations. Consider your own operations and those of your suppliers, especially where critical public services are delivered.
- Map Digital Dependencies
Develop a clear picture of your IT ecosystem. Catalogue internal systems, third-party platforms and hosted services involved in your organisation’s service delivery.
- Review Supplier Contracts and Resilience
Assess your supplier base, particularly MSPs and hosting providers, against expected cyber resilience standards. Begin engaging suppliers now to understand how they plan to meet the upcoming requirements.
- Prepare for Incident Reporting Requirements
Evaluate how you currently detect, assess and report cyber incidents. Adjust internal processes and playbooks to match the timelines and standards set out in the draft Bill.
- Assess Cyber Maturity with CAF
Whether you’re using CAF already or starting from scratch, a maturity assessment will help clarify strengths and gaps. Start with a self-assessment or consider an external review to prioritise next steps.
- Engage Leadership
Senior leaders need to understand their responsibilities in governance, risk oversight and resource allocation. Bringing cross-functional teams together – IT, legal, operations – will be key.
- Formalise Documentation and Evidence Collection
As reporting and auditing become more important, make sure key cyber policies, roles and procedures are well-documented. Establish a process to regularly update and store this evidence in a way that can support compliance reviews or investigations.
How e2e-assure Supports Public Sector Organisations
e2e-assure has been working with organisations in the public sector space for over a decade. We understand the everyday pressures faced by public sector IT leaders, whether that’s navigating procurement challenges, managing legacy systems or coordinating with suppliers.
Our services are entirely UK-based, with data stored and processed in the UK, and all staff being NPPV or SC cleared. We also offer flexible contracting models to support procurement within the public sector framework.
Our support includes:
- Table-top exercises that help teams test incident response readiness in a realistic but controlled environment (learn more)
- Cyber assessments including Sentinel and M365 reviews to establish your baseline
- Around-the-clock monitoring and incident response via our 24/7 UK-based Security Operations Centre (SOC).
Our goal is to help public sector organisations build confidence, not complexity, into their cyber resilience programmes.
Next Steps
Now is a good time to begin reviewing your organisation’s readiness for the CS&R Bill. Start by identifying what’s in scope and assessing your current cyber maturity.
If you haven’t already, begin or update your CAF assessments. Take a fresh look at incident response plans and ensure your supplier documentation reflects upcoming expectations.
If you’d like support with assessment, simulation or 24/7 monitoring, e2e-assure can help. Get in touch for a practical conversation about how we can assist your team.
