critical national infrastructure
Securing critical national infrastructure and services.
Navigating the evolution of Critical National Infrastructure in the UK
From energy and utilities to transport and civil nuclear, Critical National Infrastructure in the UK faces radical transformation. Geopolitics are exacerbating cyber threats while new digital technologies and the convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) present both opportunities and challenges.
To thrive in the new digital world, Operators of Essential Services (OES) need to both seize the opportunities of digitally driven transformative change and protect the organisation from the associated risks.
A well-designed operational environment balances uptime, safety and security in the face of cyber threats
Operators of Essential Services are facing unique cyber security challenges due to the critical nature of their infrastructure, growing digitisation, and evolving threat landscape.
Rapid Digital Evolution
The adoption of digital technologies and smart grids introduces new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are eager to exploit.
Regulatory Compliance
Navigating the complex matrix of industry-specific regulations like the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations and UK GDPR can be an all-consuming task.
Advanced Persistent Threats
With geopolitical tensions on the rise, APTs by nation-state actors are a growing concern, aiming to disrupt key utilities and energy supplies.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Cyber security is only as strong as the weakest link. Vulnerabilities in the ever-growing supply chain are leaving organisations exposed to uncontrolled risk.
Achieving robust security requires not just deploying technologies but also aligning teams and processes. Differing priorities between OT and IT security are common, and new stakeholders from Operations and Engineering change the traditional ‘Enterprise’ security agenda. Meanwhile, IT teams must also adopt operationally-hardened procedures in industrial environments.
Benefits we bring to UK CNI
We help CNI organisations transform their digital capabilities to deliver accessible and resilient services that are better, more efficient and secure by design.
Positioning cyber security as an enabler, we help you operate with confidence to make the most of today’s new opportunities for improvement.
You get the right solutions to protect your organisation, from the outset. Our expertise and solutions ensure you evolve to meet new cyber threats and digital challenges.
We help you develop your cyber security strategy and implement it at pace, reducing costs and building internal capabilities.
How tmc3 helps navigate risks
Our consultancy is at the forefront of navigating these complexities, providing tailored cyber security solutions that protect your essential services and assets.
Where tmc3 helps
- Energy
- Civil Nuclear
- Utilities
- Transport
Achieving energy security
The energy sector is at a crucial juncture in its move to sustainable energy, a transformative step that has the potential to stimulate economic progress, entice new investments, and fortify industrial areas.
Operators are rapidly accelerating their digital transformation journeys to modernise infrastructure, deliver cost and operational efficiencies, and build new revenue streams in an evolving market. In doing so, they are exposing their critical infrastructure to significant cyber risks.
To help mitigate the growing and significant cyber risks that energy companies face — safety issues, loss of revenue, loss of trust, operational slowdown and increased regulatory scrutiny — cyber security resilience needs to be built into every facet of the organisation.
Our experts help safeguard operations from emerging threats to create a resilient and interconnected energy eco-system.
Keeping up with digital change
Our teams understand the nuclear engineering and operational environments, including key aspects of availability and system safety, over and above the integrity and confidentiality of the traditional cyber security of IT systems. We link cyber security and safety in our methods and operations, which provides a business-driven and focused approach for civil nuclear organisations.
We take a security-by-design approach that facilitates day-to-day resilience as well as proactive, pragmatic and strategic planning that considers risk and security from the outset.
Building cyber resilience
The utilities sector stands at a strategic crossroads, faced with the dual challenge of upgrading aging infrastructure and transitioning to greener, more sustainable solutions. This shift is not only imperative for meeting environmental targets but also presents an opportunity to foster economic growth, attract fresh investments, and revitalise aging industrial complexes.
As utilities organisations embrace digital transformation to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and unlock new revenue opportunities, they increasingly expose their essential services to heightened cyber security threats. The digitalisation of critical infrastructure, while beneficial, also introduces significant risks including operational disruptions, financial losses, and erosion of consumer trust.
To counter these growing cyber security challenges it is essential to integrate robust cyber security resilience across all aspects of utility operations.
Our services are designed to fortify utilities' defenses against these emerging threats. By implementing cutting-edge security measures and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and vigilance, we help utility providers not only protect themselves but also secure a sustainable future for their operations.
Uniting IT and OT for Future-Ready Transport
With aging infrastructure and capacity limits, essential transport infrastructure is in dire need of upgrades to handle increased demand and ensure safety. The transport industry needs to forge the future. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies and integration across transport modes to shape a more effective and sustainable way to move people and goods.
Technological advancements present a dual-edged sword—offering potential enhancements in operational efficiency and safety through digital innovations such as IoT and AI, but also demanding considerable investment and new expertise. The convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems has been increasingly recognised for its potential to enhance efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness.
To continue moving forward, transport needs to keep ahead of changing customer and regulatory demands. We see three pivotal factors for bringing OT and IT closer together within transport organisations. These factors revolve around the core principles of technological infrastructure, building clear governance in operations, and cultivating a cyber-aware culture and mindset.
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Why choose tmc3?
Discover why leading organisations trust tmc3 to protect their Critical National Infrastructure, driving both security and innovation with our expertly tailored cyber security solutions.
Our strategic focus extends beyond immediate security concerns to help your organisation leverage security as a foundation for innovation. In an era where cyber threats are constantly evolving, partnering with tmc3 allows you to not only secure your present but also strategically position your operations for future growth and success.
Where we've done this before
Controlling legacy issues to embrace new technology
Legacy operational technology (OT) systems, designed prior to modern network and technology standards, are now being retrofitted to interface with mainstream networks and topology. This issue, combined with the introduction of IoT, industrial IoT, sensors and smart infrastructure, is exposing new and hybrid systems to a complex range of cyber risks, as well as expanding the attack surface. In turn, this is giving more opportunities for state-sponsored threat actors and cyber criminals to find the weakest link.
Organisations aiming to leverage IT/OT convergence effectively must understand that this is as much of ‘culture programme’ as it is a ‘technology project’
Navigating the complexities of this convergence requires a strategic blend of culture change, technologies, processes, and organisational capabilities. Through our collaboration with Defence, Civil Nuclear and Central Government Departments, we see three pivotal factors for bringing OT and IT closer together within an organisation. These factors revolve around the core principles of technological infrastructure, building clear governance in operations, and cultivating a cyber-aware culture and mindset.
- Adam Casey, Director tmc3
Specific challenges we are addressing in CNI
NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework
The National Cyber Strategy has set out the government’s ambition to firmly establish the UK as a cyber power. In a world fundamentally shaped by technology, the UK’s legitimacy as a cyber power is however dependent upon its domestic cyber resilience. The cornerstone of which is government and public sector organisations that deliver the functions and services which maintain and promote the UK’s economy and society.
Stuck on where to begin with the NCSC CAF? In this guide, we help you understand the role the NCSC CAF has to play and show you where to start and what you need to look out for.