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Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) – UK Cyber Security & Resilience Requirements Explained

An overview of the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework, its connection to the UK Cyber Security & Resilience (CS&R) Bill, and how it supports regulatory cyber resilience obligations.

Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) – Overview

What is the Cyber Assessment Framework?

The Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) is a cyber security and resilience framework developed by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). It is designed to help organisations assess, demonstrate and improve their ability to manage cyber risk and operational resilience.

The CAF underpins the UK’s regulatory approach to cyber resilience and is closely linked to the evolving Cyber Security & Resilience (CS&R) Bill, which strengthens and expands the UK’s cyber regulatory regime.

The framework sets out structured security principles and outcomes that organisations must meet where they fall within regulatory scope.

How does the CAF link to the UK CS&R Bill?

The UK Cyber Security & Resilience (CS&R) Bill builds upon and enhances the existing NIS regulatory framework. It expands the scope of regulated entities and strengthens supervisory and enforcement powers.

The CAF provides the practical assessment model used by regulators to determine whether organisations meet required cyber resilience standards under this regime.

In effect:

  • The CS&R Bill establishes the legal obligations

  • The CAF provides the assessment framework used to evaluate compliance

Organisations within scope of the CS&R regime may therefore be assessed against CAF principles by their competent authority.

Who is the CAF aimed at?

The CAF is particularly relevant for:

  • Operators of Essential Services (OES)

  • Digital infrastructure providers

  • Managed service providers (MSPs)

  • Organisations supporting critical national infrastructure

  • Technology suppliers whose services could materially impact essential services

With the expansion of regulatory scope under the CS&R Bill, more organisations — particularly digital and technology providers — may fall within assessment requirements.

Why is the CAF important?

1. Supports Regulatory Compliance

The CAF is the primary framework used by UK regulators to assess cyber resilience under the NIS and forthcoming CS&R regime.

2. Focuses on Operational Resilience

The framework emphasises not just preventing cyber incidents, but detecting, responding to and recovering from them effectively.

3. Strengthens Governance and Accountability

CAF principles require clear leadership oversight, risk management structures and continuous monitoring.

4. Protects Critical Services

Organisations delivering essential services must demonstrate that cyber risks are managed to prevent societal and economic disruption.

5. Aligns with Other Standards

CAF principles align with ISO 27001, NIST and other recognised frameworks, allowing organisations to leverage existing security controls.

What does compliance involve?

The CAF is structured around four high-level objectives:

  1. Managing Security Risk

  2. Protecting Against Cyber Attack

  3. Detecting Cyber Security Events

  4. Minimising the Impact of Cyber Incidents

Each objective contains principles and contributing outcomes that organisations must evidence through governance, technical controls, monitoring capabilities and incident response processes.

Assessment is typically conducted by a regulator rather than through accredited third-party certification.

Is certification required?

The CAF itself is not a voluntary certification scheme. It is used by regulators to assess whether organisations meet required cyber resilience outcomes under UK legislation, including the evolving CS&R framework.

If your organisation falls within scope, alignment with the CAF may be mandatory.

How Adoptech Can Help

Determining whether your organisation is in scope of the CS&R regime — and how to demonstrate alignment with CAF outcomes — can be complex.

Adoptech supports organisations by:

  • Mapping CAF principles to structured governance controls

  • Aligning CAF with ISO 27001 and other frameworks

  • Structuring evidence to support regulatory assessment

  • Supporting readiness for supervisory review

If you would like to understand whether the Cyber Assessment Framework or the UK CS&R regime applies to your organisation, please contact a member of the Adoptech team for further guidance.