The UK Government is seeking views on proposals for a new approach to cyber resilience regulation for downstream gas and electricity operators.
The consultation considers whether there is a need to change how cyber resilience requirements apply across the downstream gas and electricity sector.
The government and Ofgem are proposing introducing baseline cyber requirements for all Ofgem licensees to ensure cyber is on everyone’s agenda and introduce a consistent cyber starting point for the energy system.
They believe it is time for the UK to reconsider its approach to cyber resilience as the composition of the system is now changing and a broader range of organisations play an increasingly important role in delivering energy services and system balancing.
In 2018, when the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations were brought in, the UK’s strategic approach to energy resilience was focused on the largest operators that provided the majority of gas and electricity services.
The government believes the entire system is now an attractive target for adversaries and all organisations, regardless of size, should have protective measures in place.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks and Ofgem Chair Mark McAllister said: “Our proposals in this consultation are aimed at increasing the resilience of energy businesses against cyber adversaries and protecting the British energy system.
“We propose to do this by ensuring that all Ofgem licensees have baseline cyber resilience in place, while reviewing the cyver regulatory framework to ensure it still captures to the most critical DGE operators for the transforming energy system. Through this approach, no Ofgem licensee will be unprotected and the most critical operators will be subject to the highest resilience requirements, as is appropriate.
“Ultimately, we want to protect the country’s security of supply to ensure consumers’ lights stay on and homes stay warm and safeguard against the mounting economic impacts of cyber attacks.”
The government is seeking views until 22nd May 2026.
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