Something big is coming, and it's likely to shake things up for anyone with digital infrastructure in the UK. The UK Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, while not yet passed, is very much on the way. It signals a dramatic shift in how the government expects organisations to protect themselves, their customers, and the country at large from the ever growing cyber threat landscape.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: another piece of legislation with a long name and a vague promise to "improve security". But this one is different. It is part of a national shift in mindset. Instead of reacting to breaches, ransomware, and cyberattacks after they happen, the aim here is to embed resilience, visibility, and risk mitigation into the DNA of every organisation that operates critical infrastructure or digital services.

So, what exactly is it about?

The bill is expected to expand the scope of existing rules like the NIS Regulations (Network and Information Systems) to include more organisations, particularly those that underpin digital services, such as managed service providers and cloud platforms. But it does not stop at naming a few new sectors. It wants to ensure these businesses are actively managing their cyber risk — not just ticking a compliance box once a year. This is about continuous assurance, real resilience, and accountability at board level.

How does it work? In short, organisations falling within its scope will be required to implement baseline cyber hygiene, carry out regular risk assessments, and provide evidence that they are resilient against modern threats. That includes everything from patching known vulnerabilities to ensuring supply chain visibility. It also introduces more teeth for regulators. Fines for non compliance could be significant, particularly if an organisation is seen to have neglected its duties.

Who benefits from this? You might think it is just about protecting government systems and critical national infrastructure. But really, everyone wins. Customers get better protection for their data. Businesses gain trust and credibility. Regulators get better visibility into where systemic risks lie. And the nation as a whole becomes harder to knock over digitally.

Still, let us be honest. Compliance like this is daunting. For many, the challenge is not knowing what to fix — it is knowing what needs fixing in the first place. That is where External Attack Surface Management (EASM) steps in.

EASM is like switching on the lights. It continuously scans, maps, and monitors all your internet facing assets — from forgotten subdomains to exposed credentials — showing you exactly what attackers can see. More importantly, it does this proactively. So, rather than waiting for an audit or an incident, you are getting real time insights and evidence that you are reducing your risk and meeting your obligations.

With the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill looming, organisations that adopt EASM will be far better prepared. It is not just about spotting problems. It is about having an always on, intelligence led approach to understanding your digital footprint, uncovering misconfigurations, and dealing with risk before it becomes headline news.

In many ways, the bill is catching up with what modern security leaders have already realised: visibility is everything. You cannot protect what you do not know exists. And in a world where your digital presence is sprawling and constantly changing, the old approaches simply do not cut it anymore.

So, while the bill has not yet become law, the direction is clear. Resilience is no longer optional. Risk is no longer hidden. And EASM is no longer a nice to have — it is a necessity.