Critical National Infrastructure and MSPs: What UK Providers Need to Know Now

What is Critical National Infrastructure?Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) covers the sectors that, if disrupted, would cause significant harm to the UK economy, public safety, or national security. This includes energy, water, transport, health, finance, and government.Why MSPs are part of CNI supply chainsMany MSPs look after clients in sectors that are formally designated as CNI. If you manage IT for a GP surgery, a water utility sub-contractor, a local authority, or a financial services firm, you are part of that supply chain. You may not have been told, but the obligations that apply to your clients flow down to you.What this means in practice

MSPs in CNI supply chains are expected to meet higher security standards

The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will extend CNI obligations further into supply chains

Your clients may require evidence of your security posture as a contractual condition

NCSC CAF 4.0 provides the framework most CNI-adjacent organisations are measured against

What MSPs should do nowIdentify which of your clients operate in regulated or CNI-adjacent sectors. Review the NCSC CAF 4.0 framework. Begin collecting continuous evidence of your security controls. Consider independent verification through the Assurix trustmark.