Enhanced Cyber Evaluation Strategy for National Cyber Security Centre to Fortify Critical National Infrastructure Resistance in the UK
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has unveiled a new version of its flagship security guidance, the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), designed to help critical infrastructure (CNI) firms better protect critical services in the face of escalating cyber threats.
The latest iteration, CAF v4.0, includes several updates aimed at ensuring the framework remains relevant and that organisations' defences are up to date. The NCSC consulted with various regulators and oversight bodies during the production of the latest CAF version.
One of the key drivers for these updates has been the need to keep pace with threat actor innovation and the regulatory landscape. The NCSC is already looking to develop the next iteration of the framework to align with the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.
The CAF v4.0 expands coverage of AI-related cyber risks throughout the framework, and includes a new section on building a deeper understanding of attacker methods and motivations. It also updates the section on security monitoring and threat hunting to improve threat detection.
Another new addition is a section on ensuring software used in essential services is developed and maintained securely. This is intended to help CNI providers keep pace with the threat landscape.
The CAF is used by GovAssure, the cybersecurity assurance scheme for assessing UK CNI, and the NCSC claims that the framework is now used by nearly all UK cyber regulators and GovAssure.
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which updates the NIS Regulations, is expected to become law later this year. The updates to the CAF are part of a broader effort to strengthen the UK's cyber security defences and ensure the country's critical infrastructure remains resilient in the face of growing cyber threats.
The NCSC noted that these two themes have driven the updates to the CAF. The organisation updated the CAF to ensure the framework remains relevant and that organisations' defences are up to date, recognising that the cyber threat to the UK's critical infrastructure has continued to increase. Keeping pace with the evolution of attack methods is essential to close the widening gap between the escalated cyber threats and the collective ability to defend against them.
The CAF v4.0 offers a collection of best practice security advice for CNI firms, and is designed to help critical infrastructure providers in sectors such as energy, healthcare, transport, digital infrastructure, and government protect critical services.
Read also:
- Unidentified cybercriminals suspected in mobile banking fraud in Kenya, as insiders potentially implicated in the scheme
- Exploring the Architecture and Skills of Qualys' Agentic AI: A Deep Dive into Its Technological Framework and Abilities
- Auto Industry Update: Geotab, C2A, Deloitte, NOVOSENSE, Soracom, and Panasonic in Focus
- Preparations Underway for the 2022 FIFA World Cup: Impact on Sports Betting Industry
