UK Cyber Security and Resilience Bill - implications for data and marketing

The UK government has recently introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, a legislative initiative designed to bolster the UK’s digital defences and ensure that public and private sector organisations are resilient to cyber threats. While the Bill is focused on critical infrastructure and national security, it has far-reaching implications for a wide range of sectors, including marketing and advertising.

What Does the Bill Propose?

The Bill includes a number of key provisions:

· Mandatory incident reporting: More businesses, including digital service providers, may be required to report cyber incidents to regulatory bodies.

· Expanded regulatory oversight: Authorities such as the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and sector-specific regulators will gain greater powers to assess and enforce cybersecurity standards.

· Revised definitions of critical infrastructure: The scope of what is considered ‘critical’ is being widened to include more digital and data-driven services, potentially bringing marketing platforms and tech stacks within regulatory reach.

· Greater supply chain accountability: Organisations must demonstrate that they have assessed and mitigated cyber risks introduced by suppliers and third-party service providers.

These proposals highlight the interconnectedness of cybersecurity and digital business models. As organisations rely more heavily on outsourced technology and data partnerships, cyber resilience becomes not just an IT issue, but a strategic and reputational concern for marketers.

Why Marketers Should Take Note

1. Regulatory Impact on Digital Operations: Marketing often depends on a network of suppliers, including analytics providers, adtech platforms, CRM systems, and content delivery networks. Marketers will need to ensure that due diligence is conducted on all third-party partners and that cybersecurity standards are contractually enforced.

2. Reputation and Crisis Response: As many are aware when dealing with data breaches, brand and communications teams, including marketing professionals, are on the front line. Preparation, messaging, and crisis recovery plans for cyber incidents is essential to maintain customer trust and public confidence.

3. Consumer Expectations Around Security: As privacy and data security grow in importance to the public, being able to demonstrate strong cyber hygiene and resilience could become a competitive advantage.

4. Resilience as a Strategic Imperative: Cyber threats are now a boardroom issue. Marketing leaders must understand how their digital strategies intersect with organisational resilience and be ready to contribute to planning and risk management.

DMA’s Role in Government Engagement

In recent months, the DMA has held roundtables with the Home Office, Ministry of Defence, and national security services on related issues to the Bill. These engagements reflect the DMA’s standing as a valued interlocutor in shaping the UK’s digital and national resilience frameworks.

These conversations have reinforced the importance of cross-sector collaboration, with the marketing industry recognised as a critical stakeholder in both safeguarding public trust and ensuring the integrity of digital communication channels.

For more details, read the UK Government's announcement on the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.