New cyber laws to safeguard UK economy and secure long-term growth

The government sets out the scope and ambition of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill for the first time today.

New cyber laws to safeguard UK economy and secure long-term growth.

Hospitals and energy suppliers are set to boost their cyber defences under the new Cyber Security Bill, protecting public services and safeguarding growth as government delivers its Plan for Change.

This will ensure firms providing essential IT services to public services and the wider economy are no longer an easy target for cyber criminals. 1,000 service providers will fall into scope of measures expected to be introduced later this year.

The move forms part of the government’s drive to secure Britain’s future through the Plan for Change, delivering security and renewal by strengthening our critical infrastructure. It will give the British public, businesses and investors greater confidence in digital services - supporting the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth.

Cyber threats cost the UK economy billions a year and cause significant disruption to the British public and businesses. Last summer’s attack on Synnovis - a provider of pathology services to the NHS - cost an estimated £32.7 million and saw thousands of missed appointments for patients. Figures also show a hypothetical cyber-attack focused on key energy services in the South East of England could wipe over £49 billion from the wider UK economy.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, said: