Understanding the NCSF CAF: A Simple Guide for UK Organisations

In 2024, the UK security landscape is marked by significant challenges and advancements. With 7.78 million cyber-attacks reported and 50% of UK organisations experiencing a cyber attack in 2024 alone, businesses are increasingly prioritising cybersecurity to safeguard their operations, finances, and reputation. The need for a structured and proactive approach to cybersecurity has never been more critical, as the UK continues to adapt to an evolving threat landscape. 

In response to the complex and evolving cyber threat environment, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) developed the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) to provide a consistent and effective approach to cyber security risk management. This framework is crucial for organisations aiming to enhance their cyber resilience, evaluate their cybersecurity practices, and ensure regulatory compliance, especially in sectors subject to cyber regulations. 

The CAF supports the UK Government Cyber Security Strategy 2022-2030 by helping organisations understand their cybersecurity posture and protect essential functions from emerging threats. It includes a broad range of security controls and Indicators of Good Practice (IGPs), offering practical guidance for managing cyber risks, protecting against attacks, detecting security events, and minimising the impact of incidents. This structured approach is especially important for organisations responsible for Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), who need to make sure that essential services remain resilient against cyber threats.  

What are the Key Objectives of CAF? 

The NCSC CAF is built around four primary objectives: 

Objective A: Managing Security Risk 

• This objective focuses on identifying, assessing, and managing risks to minimise the impact of potential cyber threats. It involves putting in governance structures, risk management frameworks, and policies that ensure cybersecurity is a top priority within the organisation. Regular risk assessments and updates to the risk management strategy are crucial to stay ahead of evolving threats. 

Objective B: Protecting Against Cyber Attacks 

• To safeguard the organisation from cyber-attacks, this objective emphasises implementing robust security controls and measures. This includes securing networks, systems, and data through firewalls, encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular software updates. Employee training and awareness programs are also essential to reduce the risk of human error. 

Objective C: Detecting Cyber Security Events 

• Early detection of cyber security incidents is critical to limiting their impact. This objective is about establishing an extensive monitoring system that can identify suspicious activities and potential breaches in real time. Using advanced analytics, intrusion detection systems, and continuous monitoring tools can help in detecting threats promptly. 

Objective D: Minimising the Impact of Security Incidents 

This objective involves having a well-defined incident response plan, conducting regular drills and simulations to ensure readiness, and maintaining communication channels to coordinate responses effectively. Prompt actions, such as isolating affected systems, preserving evidence, and initiating recovery procedures, are crucial to mitigate damage and restore normal operations swiftly. Also, learning from past incidents and continuously improving the incident response strategy helps in building organisational resilience against future threats. 

Who Needs to Follow the CAF?  

The NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) is designed to cover a wide range of organisations and sectors, particularly:   

• Organisations safeguarding and maintaining the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) of the U.K.: Organisations sat in sectors such as energy, water, transportation, and healthcare (NHS Hospitals), which are essential for the functioning of society and the economy. In 2024 the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reported a record-breaking year for significant cyber-attacks affecting UK critical infrastructure with things likely to ramp up even further during 2025.  

• Those who need to comply with the NIS Regulations: Organisations classified as Operators of Essential Services (OES). They deliver services fundamental to the operation of society and the economy, encompassing sectors such as energy, transport, banking, financial market infrastructures, health, drinking water supply and distribution, and digital infrastructure. Also, Relevant Digital Service Providers (RDSPs) that offer services such as online marketplaces, online search engines, and cloud computing services. 

• Organisations that manage cyber-related risks to public safety within the U.K which include Public Sector Organisations such as Government departments, Local and Central Government and agencies that support core government functions and public services such as the NHS and Hospitals and Councils and Local Authorities, Police Forces, Emergency Services and other agencies.  The National Audit Office (NAO) has issued a warning that UK government departments are facing severe and rapidly evolving threats from cyber-attacks. A review of 58 critical government IT systems in 2024 identified substantial vulnerabilities, with an additional 228 legacy systems potentially at risk. Recent incidents, including attacks on institutions such as the British Library and NHS foundation trusts, highlight the pressing nature of this issue.  

What are the Common Challenges Faced When Preparing for CAF? 

Here are some of the typical challenges they might need to overcome:  

• Understanding the Framework:  The NCSC CAF is extensive and detailed, which can be overwhelming for organisations new to it. Understanding the objectives, principles, and contributing outcomes requires time and effort. 

• Resource Allocation: Implementing the necessary changes to meet the CAF requirements often requires significant resources, including time, money, and staff.  

• Technical Complexity: The technical aspects of the CAF can be complex, especially for organisations without a dedicated cybersecurity team. Ensuring that all technical controls are in place and functioning correctly can be a daunting. 

• Cultural Change: Achieving compliance with the CAF often requires a shift in organisational culture. This includes fostering a security-first mindset among all employees, which can be challenging to implement and maintain. 

• Keeping Up with Changes: Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field, and the CAF is periodically updated to reflect new threats and best practices. Staying up-to-date with these changes and adjusting your security measures accordingly can be difficult. 

• Documentation and Evidence: Gathering and organising the necessary documentation and evidence to demonstrate compliance can be time-consuming. This includes policies, procedures, incident response plans, and records of security measures. 

• Engaging External Experts: While external experts can provide valuable insights, finding and engaging the right experts who understand your specific needs and the CAF and specific industry requirements can be challenging. 

• Balancing Security and Usability: Implementing stringent security measures can sometimes impact the usability of systems and processes. Finding the right balance between security and usability is crucial but challenging. 

CAF isn’t just about ticking compliance boxes. It’s about building real resilience so your organisation is ready when things go wrong (because eventually, they will). Done right, it helps you tighten your defences, reduce risk, and show you’re serious about keeping your system, and the people who rely on them, safe. 
 
Yes, there are challenges. Time, resource, complexity, culture. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. 
 
At SCC, we help organisations take CAF from a scary PDF to a clear plan of action. Wherever you are on the journey, we’ll meet you there—with the right support, at the right pace.