NCSI :: United Kingdom

Archived data from 2016-2023

9. United Kingdom 89.61

9th	National Cyber Security Index
2nd	Global Cybersecurity Index
5th	ICT Development Index
12th	Networked Readiness Index

Population		65.1million
Area (km2)		242.9thousand
GDP per capita ($)		44.1thousand

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

NCSI Update		Data source
4 Apr 2023		Public data collection
22 Apr 2020		Public data collection
15 Nov 2017		Public data collection

Version 4 Apr 2023

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

1. Cyber security policy development 5/7 71%

5
7 71%
- 1.1. Cyber security policy unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity (ministry or equivalent) has a specialised official or unit responsible for national cyber security policy development.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office/about
  
  The Cabinet Office is responsible for supporting collective government, helping to ensure the effective development, coordination and implementation of policy.
  
  Previosuly, cyber security policy development was the responsibility of the the Cyber and Government Security Directorate (CGSD). However, the CGSD ceased to exist in this form in September 2017. The work of CGSD was re-organised within the Cabinet Office taking into account the responsibilities of the National Cyber Security Centre.
- 1.2. Cyber security policy coordination format 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has a committee, council, working group, etc. for national-level cyber security policy coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
- 1.3. Cyber security strategy 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established a national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document
  
  Evidence
  
  https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1053023/national-cyber-strategy-amend.pdf
  
  National Cyber Strategy 2022
- 1.4. Cyber security strategy implementation plan 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established an implementation plan to the national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document or its enforcement act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1053023/national-cyber-strategy-amend.pdf
  
  Implementation section of the National Cyber Strategy 2022
2. Cyber threat analysis and information 5/5 100%

5
5 100%
- 2.1. Cyber threats analysis unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity has a national-level unit that is specialised in national strategic cyber threat situation analysis.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-ncsc/what-we-do
- 2.2. Public cyber threat reports are published annually 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The public part of the national cyber threat situation analysis is published at least once a year.
  Accepted references
  Official public report
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/annual-review-2022
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/ncsc-annual-review-2021
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/annual-review-2020
- 2.3. Cyber safety and security website 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public authorities provide at least one cyber safety and security website for cyber security and ICT professionals, and regular users.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.cyberaware.gov.uk
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance
  
  https://www.getsafeonline.org/
3. Education and professional development 9/9 100%

9
9 100%
- 3.1. Cyber safety competencies in primary or secondary education 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Primary or secondary education curricula include cyber safety / computer safety competences.
  Accepted references
  Official curriculum or official report
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study
  
  Key stage 1: "use technology safely and respectfully"
  Key stage 2-3: "use technology safely"
  Key stage 4: "understand how changes in technology affect safety, including new ways to protect their online privacy and identity, and how to report a range of concerns"
- 3.2. Bachelor’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Bachelor’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/ncsc-certified-degrees
  
  https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/cyber-security
  
  https://www.uwl.ac.uk/course/cyber-security-4/34948
- 3.3. Master’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Master’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/ncsc-certified-degrees
- 3.4. PhD level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at PhD or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/technology/doctoral-training-programme/cyber-security-doctoral-programme.aspx
  
  https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/area/data-privacy-cybersecurity
  
  https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/research-degrees/cybersecurity-mphil-phd
- 3.5. Cyber security professional association 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a professional association of cyber/electronic information security specialists, managers or auditors.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.issa-uk.org
4. Contribution to global cyber security 6/6 100%

6
6 100%
- 4.1. Convention on Cybercrime 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has ratified the Convention on Cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website of the convention
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list/-/conventions/treaty/185/signatures?p_auth=0gGSVa2g
- 4.2. Representation in international cooperation formats 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government is regularly represented in a cooperation format that is dedicated to international cyber security (e.g. FIRST).
  Accepted references
  Official website of the cooperation format
  
  Evidence
  
  https://first.org/members/teams/#kingdom
- 4.3. International cyber security organisation hosted by the country 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A regional or international cyber security organisation is hosted by the country.
  Accepted references
  Organisation’s official website
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.globalcyberalliance.org/who-we-are/
- 4.4. Cyber security capacity building for other countries 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has (co-)financed or (co-)organised at least one capacity building project for another country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Official website or project document
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cyber-security-capacity-building-in-the-commonwealth-2018-to-2021#full-publication-update-history
  
  List of cybersecurity projects the Government of the UK has completed in the 2018 – 2021 period.

BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

5. Protection of digital services 2/5 40%

2
5 40%
- 5.1. Cyber security responsibility for digital service providers 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to legislation, digital service providers (except micro and small enterprises): (1) must manage cyber/ICT risks or (2) must implement established cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2018/151/contents
  
  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/151
- 5.2. Cyber security standard for the public sector 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public sector digital service providers must implement (1) cyber/ICT security requirements (defined by legislation) or (2) a widely recognised security standard.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-minimum-cyber-security-standard
  
  Minimum Cyber Security Standard: This is a new minimum set of cyber security standards that government expects departments to adhere to and exceed wherever possible.
- 5.3. Competent supervisory authority 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise public and private digital service providers regarding the implementation of cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
6. Protection of essential services 5/6 83%

5
6 83%
- 6.1. Operators of essential services are identified 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act that allows to identify operators of essential services.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.npsa.gov.uk/critical-national-infrastructure-0
  
  Critical National Infrastructure
- 6.2. Cyber security requirements for operators of essential services 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to the legislation, operators of essential services must manage cyber/ICT risks.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/nis-directive-and-nis-regulations-2018
  
  The NIS Regulations 2018
  
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/506
  
  Specifically Part 3, Article 10, of the NIS Regulations 2018
- 6.3. Competent supervisory authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise operators of essential services, regarding cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/about-ncsc
- 6.4. Regular monitoring of security measures 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Operators of essential services must regularly (at least once every 3 years) provide evidence of the effective implementation of cyber/information security policies (e.g. audit result, documentation, specific report).
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
7. E-identification and trust services 8/9 89%

8
9 89%
- 7.1. Unique persistent identifier 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government provides a unique persistent identifier to all citizens, residents, and legal entities. For example, the identifier remains the same after document expiration and name change.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/your-national-insurance-number
- 7.2. Requirements for cryptosystems 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Requirements for cryptosystems in the field of trust services are regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-digital-identity-and-attributes-trust-framework-beta-version/uk-digital-identity-and-attributes-trust-framework-beta-version#table-of-standards-guidance-and-legislation
  
  Section 16. Table of Standards, Guidance and Legislation – Cryptography and encryption
- 7.3. Electronic identification 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic identification is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.4. Electronic signature 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  E-signature is regulated
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/7/section/7
- 7.5. Timestamping 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Timestamping is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/7/section/7B
- 7.6. Electronic registered delivery service 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic registered delivery service between state entities, citizens and private sector entities is regulated. The service provides legally binding data exchange and guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of information.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/7/section/7D
- 7.7. Competent supervisory authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an authority responsible for the supervision of qualified trust service providers.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/696/regulation/3
  
  Information Commissioner
  
  https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/what-we-do/
  
  Information Commissioner's Office
8. Protection of personal data 4/4 100%

4
4 100%
- 8.1. Personal data protection legislation 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/29/contents
  
  Data Protection Act 1998
  
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/12/contents
  
  Data Protection Act 2018
- 8.2. Personal data protection authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an independent public supervisory authority that is responsible for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/who-we-are/
  
  Information Commissioner's Office

INCIDENT AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

9. Cyber incidents response 6/6 100%

6
6 100%
- 9.1. Cyber incidents response unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a unit (CSIRT, CERT, CIRT, etc.) that is specialised in national-level cyber incident detection and response.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-ncsc/what-we-do
- 9.2. Reporting responsibility 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Digital service providers and operators of essential services have an obligation to notify appointed government authorities of cyber security incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/nis-directive-and-nis-regulations-2018
  
  The NIS Regulations 2018
  
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/506
  
  Specifically Part 3, Article 11; and Part 4, Article 12 (3), of the NIS Regulations 2018
- 9.3. Single point of contact for international coordination 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated a single point of contact for international cyber security coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/the-guide-to-nis/the-role-of-the-national-cyber-security-centre-ncsc/
  
  The NCSC is also the ‘single point of contact’ (SPOC). In this role it receives information on NIS incidents from all competent authorities and co-ordinates with its counterparts in other Member States.
10. Cyber crisis management 4/5 80%

4
5 80%
- 10.1. Cyber crisis management plan 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has established a crisis management plan for large-scale cyber incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 10.2. National-level cyber crisis management exercise 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has conducted a national-level cyber crisis management exercise or a crisis management exercise with a cyber component in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/exercise-purple-lumi
  
  Exercise Purple Lumi
- 10.3. Participation in international cyber crisis exercises 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's team has participated in an international cyber crisis management exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.incibe-cert.es/en/international-cyberex-previous-editions
  
  International CyberEX 2021
- 10.4. Operational support of volunteers in cyber crises 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The procedures for using volunteers in the field of cyber security are established by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/strategic-command/about/recruitment
  
  Joint Cyber Reserve Force
11. Fight against cybercrime 9/9 100%

9
9 100%
- 11.1. Cybercrimes are criminalised 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Cybercrimes are defined by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/18/contents
  
  The main applicable cyber crime law in the UK is the 1990 Computer Misuse Act, which makes unauthorized access to, or modification of computer material unlawful. In 2015, the Computer Misuse Act was amended by the Serious Crime Act 2015, which created a new offense for unauthorized acts that cause serious damage and implemented the EU Directive on Attacks against Information Systems.
  
  http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/9/section/47/enacted
- 11.2. Cybercrime unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of combatting cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/cyber-crime
  
  National Crime Agency
- 11.3. Digital forensics unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of digital forensics.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gchq.gov.uk/information/national-technical-assistance-centre
  
  National Technical Assistance Centre (NTAC)
- 11.4. 24/7 contact point for international cybercrime 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated an international 24/7 contact point for cybercrimes.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://rm.coe.int/cyber-list-of-competent-authorities-september-2021/1680a3aaae
  
  Cyber Crime Unit of the National Crime Agency National
12. Military cyber operations 6/6 100%

6
6 100%
- 12.1. Cyber operations unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have a unit (cyber command, etc.) that is specialised in planning and conducting cyber operations.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-digby/#hq-joint-cyber-and-electromagnetic-activities-group
  
  HQ Joint Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities Group (JCG)
- 12.2. Cyber operations exercise 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have conducted a cyber operations exercise or an exercise with a cyber operations component in the country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/operations/united-kingdom/information-warrior
  
  Information Warrior 2023
- 12.3. Participation in international cyber exercises 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's military team has participated in an international cyber operations exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.cybercom.mil/Media/News/Article/3209896/cybercom-concludes-cyber-flag-23-exercise/
  
  CYBER FLAG 23
  
  https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2022/02/international-cyber-competition-tests-defence/
  
  Defence Cyber Marvel

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CONTRIBUTORS

Lala Sadigova
Intern at e-Governance Academy

Archived data from 2016-2023

9. United Kingdom 89.61

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

Version 4 Apr 2023 Choose a version 4 Apr 2023 22 Apr 2020 15 Nov 2017

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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INCIDENT AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

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Version 4 Apr 2023