Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that access to critical broadband infrastructure is protected in rural areas.

DCMS is taking robust steps to ensure broadband access is appropriately secure and resilient in all areas, including in rural communities where there are significant dependencies on digital services.

Digital infrastructure in the United Kingdom is designed to include high levels of security and resilience. DCMS works with Ofcom and industry to manage and mitigate risks of disruption and has introduced legislation to help protect UK networks and services.

The Telecommunications Security Act (2021) amended the Communications Act 2003 to establish a new telecoms security framework. The Act places duties on the providers of public telecoms networks and services to identify, reduce and prepare for risks of security compromise and to remedy or mitigate the adverse effects of security compromises. ‘Security compromise’ is defined broadly in the Act to include ‘anything that compromises the availability, performance or functionality of the network or service’.

Providers of digital infrastructure that are designated as Operators of Essential Services under the Network and Information Systems Regulations (2018) must also take appropriate steps to secure their systems and minimise the impact of incidents. The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will amend the Network and Information Systems Regulations to further strengthen the United Kingdom’s cyber defences and build the resilience of digital services over the long term.