What Security Leaders Need to Know About the UK’s Updated Cyber Framework
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published version 4.0 of its Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), marking the most substantial update to the framework since its original release in 2018. The CAF serves as the UK’s primary cybersecurity risk assessment tool for Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) organizations.
CAF v4.0 places greater emphasis on today’s most pressing cybersecurity concerns, including the growing impact of AI, the need for stronger oversight of third-party relationships, and the importance of mature vulnerability management. These are foundational areas of modern cybersecurity risk assessment, central to how organizations approach disclosure, testing, and supply chain security.
What Is the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF)?
The Cyber Assessment Framework provides a structured way for UK regulators and operators of essential services to assess cybersecurity risk and resilience. Organized around 14 security and resilience principles, the CAF is used to support compliance with the UK’s Network and Information Systems (NIS) regulations and other national resilience objectives.
CAF is outcomes-focused rather than prescriptive, giving organizations discretion in how they meet each objective in a way that suits their context and risk profile. This flexibility is especially important for cybersecurity risk assessment across diverse sectors.
What’s New in CAF v4.0?
While the structure of CAF remains consistent, version 4.0 introduces several notable updates to clarify expectations and reflect current cyber risks:
- Addressing AI Risks: CAF v4.0 references artificial intelligence (AI) as part of the evolving threat landscape, noting its potential to both enhance and undermine security. Although not introduced as a separate principle, AI is now a consideration across multiple security objectives, encouraging organizations to assess associated risks such as model manipulation and misuse. HackerOne’s AI red teaming services help organizations uncover vulnerabilities in AI systems, aligning with the framework’s focus on responsible AI security.
- Strengthening Supply Chain Security: CAF v4.0 places stronger emphasis on managing third-party risk, highlighting the importance of understanding and controlling dependencies on external suppliers. It clarifies that organizations must identify potential vulnerabilities introduced through third-party connections or data sharing and take steps to manage them.
- Finding and Fixing Bugs: CAF v4.0, specifically B4.d. Vulnerability Management, emphasizes the importance of understanding known vulnerabilities, prompt mitigation of externally exposed risks, and verification through third-party testing. While the framework doesn’t mandate a specific reporting mechanism, Vulnerability Disclosure Programs (VDPs) can help organizations by enabling secure, structured intake of vulnerability reports from the broader security community.
- Testing Defenses through Red Teaming: Simulated attacks, including red team exercises, are recognized in B5.a Resilience Preparation as effective methods for evaluating an organization’s defensive capabilities and incident response. The framework encourages continuous improvement through realistic threat simulations. HackerOne’s red teaming and penetration testing services offer tailored testing that helps organizations validate their defenses and enhance security.
Strengthening Security Through CAF v4.0 Alignment
Aligning with CAF v4.0 requires a proactive approach to cybersecurity risk assessment: managing AI risks, supply chain security, vulnerability disclosure, and adversarial testing. Practices like coordinated vulnerability disclosure, red teaming, and bug bounty programs help organizations strengthen their overall security posture.
HackerOne’s platform supports these efforts by providing the tools and expertise to build resilient cybersecurity programs that align with CAF v4.0. Contact us to learn how we can help you stay ahead of emerging threats.
