UK Proposes New Cyber Laws for Energy and Public Services



The UK has proposed a progressive plan to improve the country’s cyber resilience, focusing on protecting the nation’s modern energy system. Announced on 12th November 2025, the proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill aims to reinforce the digital protection across services, including energy networks, smart-energy systems, water, transport and health care. With independent research estimating that cyber incidents cost the UK economy approximately £15 billion a year, the proposal demonstrates the government’s commitment to developing a safe and more resilient digital future.


 

SOURCE: https://www.gov.uk/government/news


As the UK continues to move toward a smarter, cleaner and interconnected energy system infrastructure, the importance of cybersecurity will continue to grow. Smart meters, electric vehicle charge points, flexible demand technologies and digital management of the grid all deliver a greater efficiency of the energy system, while at the same time highlighting the need for robust protection. The proposed Bill will therefore assure long-term energy security to the public, providing organisations with the confidence to continue to operate in an advanced and rapidly changing digital landscape. 


A Future-Focused Strategy to Protect the Energy System

Energy networks are critical to everyday life. They power hospitals, businesses, and an increasing number of electric vehicles and heating systems. The new Bill is clearly focused on protecting these vital services. Energy suppliers, system operators, and organisations operating digital energy services would be required to adopt new responsibilities aimed at reducing risks, maximising robustness, and enabling service continuity. 


Technology Secretary Liz Kendall summed up the intention well with the statement:

 “Cyber security is national security... The United Kingdom is no soft target.”


The intention of the proposed measures to strengthen protections across the energy sector is to provide services to businesses and consumers that are reliable, sustainable, and carefully managed to protect investment in the UK energy system of the future.


Supporting Smart-Energy Infrastructure

The proposal focuses mainly on additional protections for organisations that control the flow of electricity to smart appliances, such as:

  • Charging points for electric vehicles

  • Smart electrical heating device

  • Home energy devices that are digitally controlled


These appliances have an increasing role in facilitating flexibility in the grid, and they can assist consumers in becoming more efficient in their energy use. By keeping them secure and resilient, the Bill encourages innovation and ensures that consumers have confidence in digital energy technologies. 

The proposal also importantly brings data centres, which are critical for operating smart energy data, AI-based analytics, consumption charging systems, and energy market platforms, into the scope of regulation. This ensures that the underlying infrastructure of the digital energy ecosystem is supported by strong, modern cyber standards.


Enhancing Managed Service Providers to Enhance Security 

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) hold an essential role in the provision of IT infrastructure, cloud hosting, monitoring tools, and cyber support to energy suppliers, grid operators and renewable developers. The proposed Bill encourages the extension of regulation to medium and large MSPs, as the role of MSPs in supporting energy companies with secure and reliable operations is acknowledged. 

It is proposed that under the proposals that MSPs would:

  • comply with minimum cybersecurity standards.

  • report incidents of significant or potentially significant events quickly.         

  • have suitable continuity plans.      

  • notify affected organisations after incidents. 


This means that energy companies will have timely and accurate information about those threats, which will enable them to reduce TIERS and maintain service continuity.  


Clearer Powers and Proportionate Enforcement

The proposals will introduce modern regulatory enforcement mechanisms, including turnover-based penalties for severe breaches, which seek to ensure consistent standards in regulated sectors, while assuring the best-practice implementation of resilience for first-time and, critically, repeat transgressions. 


Regulators will also have powers to designate critical energy suppliers against criteria, for example, suppliers of grid management systems, renewable energy control software or essential grid-balancing technologies. Designated energy suppliers will comply with clear resilience requirements to safeguard the integrity of the energy network.  


The Technology Secretary will also be able to work with the Regulators, including the organisations overseen by the Regulator, in taking proportionate steps when required to protect national energy operations.


Enhanced Reporting for a More Robust Response

The proposal lays out a reporting process for significant incidents which is easier to follow. The organisations that will have the reporting obligations, including organisations that operate electricity networks, develop smart-grid technologies, and provide platforms for energy markets, would be required to report cyber incidents of significance to the appropriate authorities within 24 hours of their occurrence, followed by a fuller report within 72 hours. This reporting process will support an expedited coordinated approach nationally to ensure stability in the energy system overall. 


Building a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future

Industry leaders in cybersecurity, health, aviation, and technology have welcomed the proposal, acknowledging its impact on contributing to national resilience for the energy sector. The Bill represents an important opportunity for the energy sector to modernise protections for the digitisation of the energy journey that also helps pave the way for a transition to a smarter and greener future.


As the UK continues to accelerate its transition to renewable energy, smart grids and electrification, sound cyber protections will be part of the foundation to enable this transition. The proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will seek to safeguard and strengthen this foundation, allowing energy providers, businesses, and households to enjoy modern, secure and efficient energy systems.

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