Consultation on the security of network and information systems directive
As our reliance on technology grows, the impact of failure in those systems and the opportunities for those who would seek to compromise our systems and data increase. Responding to this threat and ensuring the safety and security of cyberspace is an essential requirement for a prosperous UK economy. We need to secure our technology, data and networks in order to keep our businesses, citizens and public services protected.
The European Commission, in cooperation with Member States, have agreed a Directive with the aim of increasing the security of Network and Information Systems (NIS) within the European Union (EU). The Government supports the aims of the Directive and sets out in this consultation the proposed implementation approach in the UK.
The NIS Directive will help make sure UK operators in electricity, transport, water, energy, transport, health and digital infrastructure are prepared to deal with the increasing numbers of cyber threats. It will also cover other threats affecting IT, such as power failures, hardware failures and environmental hazards.
This consultation seeks views from industry, regulators and other interested parties on the Government’s plans to transpose the Directive into UK legislation. It sets out the Government’s proposed transposition approach and asks a series of questions on a range of detailed policy issues relating to transposition.
The consultation covers:
- The essential services the directive needs to cover
- The penalties
- The competent authorities to regulate and audit specific sectors
- The security measures we propose to impose
- Timelines for incident reporting
- How this affects Digital Service Providers
The Institution of Engineering and Technology Trustees propose submitting a response to this consultation and invite comments from Members who have expertise in this area and have studied the consultation documents. In its capacity as a professional body the IET will confine itself to only addressing those questions that are within its area(s) of competence.
Members contributing are asked to state their relevant experience. All inputs will be treated confidentially in the production of a corporate view and individual contributors will not be named. “Member” should be interpreted as IET Members, Fellows and Honorary Fellows.
For more information and a summary of the questions, please refer to the consultation document.
The deadline for response to this consultation is the 20 September 2017. Please send your responses to Ahmed Kotb.
Full details located here.
For more information and other submissions, please visit our website.
IET Strategic Engagement and Partnerships (SEP)
Michael Faraday House,
Six Hills Way,
Stevenage,
Hertfordshire,
SG1 2AY
Email: policy@theiet.org