As digital public services become increasingly central to our daily lives, the organisations that provide these essential services are facing growing threats from cybercriminals and hostile nation-states. Cyber resilience is no longer just a technical concern—it's a fundamental necessity for maintaining public trust and operational stability.
Yet, one of the biggest challenges in cyber security is the prevention paradox: when security measures work effectively, nothing happens. This often leads organisations to underestimate risks until an incident occurs. So, how can public sector organisations and critical service providers proactively strengthen their cyber security posture before a crisis strikes?
The Role of the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF)
The Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), provides organisations with a structured approach to cybersecurity governance. Originally designed for Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and Operators of Essential Services (OES), the CAF helps organisations build resilience in both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems.
Rather than relying on reactive measures, the CAF enables organisations to:
- Assess cyber security risks systematically
- Implement robust security policies aligned with best practices
- Strengthen cyber resilience across essential operations
The NCSC's Cyber Assessment Framework helps organisations strengthen their security posture
Evolving Cyber Security Regulations: Preparing for the Future
With the upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (CSRB) in 2025, the UK government is pushing for stricter cyber security measures in the public sector. Cyber resilience is shifting from best practice to regulatory requirement, ensuring that large organisations take proactive steps to protect critical systems.
Additionally, the government is moving towards a ban on ransomware payments for CNI and public sector organisations—making reactive approaches to cyber security even riskier. The application of the CAF is not just recommended; it is expected to become mandatory.
By embedding cyber security into compliance requirements, government bodies are creating a framework that allows organisations to:
- Justify investment in cyber security beyond operational concerns
- Reduce regulatory risks and avoid penalties
- Protect sensitive data and critical services from disruption
The Growing Adoption of CAF in Local Government
While the CAF was originally designed for CNI and large essential service providers, local government bodies are now beginning to adopt its principles as well. With increasing cyber threats targeting councils and public sector organisations, the need for structured cyber security governance has never been greater.
Local government organisations handle vast amounts of sensitive citizen data and provide essential services, making them attractive targets for cyberattacks. Recognising this, central government initiatives are encouraging local authorities to align with CAF principles, even before formal requirements are in place.
By implementing the CAF, local authorities can:
- Improve cyber resilience in public services and citizen data management
- Demonstrate accountability in cyber security governance
- Ensure preparedness for potential future regulatory changes
As local government adoption of CAF increases, organisations that proactively align with its principles will be ahead of the curve—both in terms of security and compliance.
Norfolk County Council has been an early adopter of the CAF collection
How CNIC Software Accelerates CAF Assessments
At CNIC Software, we understand the challenges of navigating complex cyber security regulations. Our platform streamlines and accelerates CAF assessments, helping organisations strengthen their cyber resilience without unnecessary administrative overhead.
Our solution enables organisations to:
- Identify cyber risks more effectively with automated insights
- Ensure compliance with evolving regulations effortlessly
- Turn CAF assessments into strategic security improvements
Instead of treating compliance as a box-ticking exercise, organisations can leverage CAF assessments as a driver for real cyber security progress—ensuring they are both secure and compliant.
CNIC Software's intelligent platform automates evidence collection and reporting
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