The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (CS&R), to be introduced in Parliament later this year, aims to strengthen the UK’s cyber defences by expanding the scope of existing regulations. It builds on an older framework from 2018, which is currently the UK’s only cross-sector cyber security regulation in force and was originally implemented to improve security across critical national infrastructure; however nowadays where attackers evolve their tactics faster than regulators can write acronyms, a more robust framework is now long overdue.

Backed by NCSC’s CEO, Richard Horne describes the bill as a pivotal development, calling it “a landmark moment that will ensure we can improve the cyber defences of the critical services on which we rely every day, such as water, power and healthcare.”

Key measures include:

  • Wider Reach: CS&R extends cyber security obligations to a broader range of organisation, including MSPs, data centres, and vendors, recognising the key role they play in the digital supply chain.
  • Faster Incident Reporting: Businesses must now report significant cyber incidents without delay, ensuring a more coordinated response to emerging threats.
  • Closer Alignment with NIS2: Although it’s not a carbon copy, CS&R aligns with the EU's NIS2 Directive, delivering a consistent approach to international cyber security standards. NIS2 focuses on managing risks introduced by 3rd party suppliers, and CS&R aligns to this with arguably more stringent requirements. For businesses operating across the UK and EU it’s crucial to understand the nuances between the relevant laws to ensure compliance.

UK SME’s are advised to assess their digital security processes to ensure alignment with CS&R. This includes an evaluation of supply chain risks, incident response plans, and preparing for increased regulatory inspection. Aligning with standards like the NCSC’s Cyber Assessment Framework can help meet these new obligations.

Consequences for MSPs and channel partners

The inclusion of MSP’s as critical components within the UK’s cyber infrastructure brings both opportunities and challenges.  By formally recognising MSP’s the bill places them under direct scrutiny, similar to the way NIS2 treats essential and important entities. This means that they must harden their own security posture but also become accountable for the downstream risks they introduce into their clients’ environments.

  • Increased accountability: MSPs must demonstrate robust technical security controls, supporting clients with risk mitigation strategies and resilience planning.
  • Opportunity for differentiation: By meeting these enhanced standards, MSPs can position themselves as trusted partners, offering value-added services that align with regulatory requirements.

    At TrustLayer we see this as an inflection point for the channel, an opportunity to step up not just as service providers but as strategic security advisors where trust and transparency gives a competitive edge in a market where resilience will rapidly become a procurement necessity. This development reinforces our commitment to equipping our channel partners with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the evolving environment.

AI as a catalyst or complexity, or both?

Pat McFadden, the Minister responsible for UK cyber security, warned of the escalating cyber threats, particularly with the rise of AI:

“Today we are declassifying an intelligence assessment that shows AI is going to increase not only the frequency but the intensity of cyberattacks in the coming years. Our security systems will only remain secure if they keep pace with what our adversaries are doing.”

AI facilitates compliance but also could prove to be a bit of a regulatory headache. On one hand, it can help automate audits, mitigate permieter vulnerabilities, and even simulate a red team, making security posture more measurable. Although on the other, it raises questions about transparency and liability. Just because an autonomous system took an action (or didn’t) doesn’t mean you can delegate total responsibility to it. Just ask your legal team how that’s going!

For MSPs, resellers, and channel partners regulatory readiness is now a basic reference point, but future competitiveness will rely more and more on how effectively they embed security tools and platforms as a continuously evolving process. 

Agentic AI is a great example, with its ability to autonomously identify and respond to threats could soon become a foundation of operational resilience. But with this power comes complexity.  Characterised in part by its self-governing decision making capabilities, it’s poised to transform cyber security:

  • Proactive Threat Hunting: AI systems that can autonomously identify and respond to threats in real-time will become the norm, further reducing reliance on human intervention and for the mid-market helping minimise the operational burden that comes with modest budgets and resources.
  • Adaptive Defence: Systems learn from every contact, continuously improving their ability to detect and respond to increasingly sophisticated attacks.

However, with constant debates around AI transparency and numerous ethical considerations, regulations like CS&R will need to constantly evolve alongside the adjacent technologies to ensure they remain fit for purpose in the new world of autonomous agents.

So how can we prepare for the road ahead?

As ratification of the CS&R legislation comes closer, businesses must be proactive.

Firstly, there is an immediate need to assess compliance readiness – to evaluate current cyber security measures and identify any gaps and short-term areas for improvement. 

Secondly, this is an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with MSPs and the wider channel to ensure a unified approach aligned to the new regulations.  And lastly, evaluate their strategy for investments in emerging technologies to enhance threat detection and response capabilities.

The release of the CS&R framework will be a pivotal moment in how the UK approaches cyber security. By embracing what’s ahead, both regulations and technologies, we can build a future that’s not only secure, but resilient by design. 

At TrustLayer, we’re here to help our clients and partners navigate this shift with clarity, confidence and a few less acronyms where possible!