Navigating NCSC CAF: What MSPs Need to Know in 2025

In the wake of high-profile cyber incidents, like the 2023 ransomware attack on the Royal Mail, disruption to NHS services, and ongoing threats to UK critical infrastructure, the UK government introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill in 2024, aiming to modernize the country’s cyber defense posture and stay aligned with international standards like the NIS 2 Directive.  

At the heart of the bill lies the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), the government’s official framework for assessing cyber resilience, which is likely to play a central role in how UK-based organizations demonstrate compliance under the evolving legislation. 

This blog post provides an overview of the CAF, highlighting why it’s rapidly gaining traction not only in industries where it’s mandated, but also in non-regulated sectors, and how MSPs can leverage the framework to enter new markets, grow existing accounts, and strengthen their role as strategic cybersecurity partners.  

What is the NCSC CAF? 

The NCSC developed the CAF as a structured, outcome-based framework to evaluate and strengthen cybersecurity across the UK’s critical infrastructure. It serves as the official framework mandated by the UK government and regulators to assess compliance for organizations designated as Operators of Essential Services (OES) under the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations. 

Sectors defined as OES under UK law include: 

• Energy (electricity, oil, gas) 

• Transport (air, rail, maritime, road) 

• Health (hospitals, care services) 

• Drinking water supply and distribution 

• Digital infrastructure (e.g., internet exchange points, DNS providers) 

• Digital service providers (cloud service providers, online marketplaces, search engines) 

• Essential government services 

The CAF is structured around four high-level objectives: managing security risk, protecting against cyber attack, detecting cybersecurity events, and minimizing the impact of incidents. Each objective is supported by 14 cybersecurity principles and 39 contributing outcomes. These outcomes are evaluated based on whether they are “achieved,” “partially achieved,” or “not achieved,” using Indicators of Good Practice (IGPs). 

The framework is scalable and sector-agnostic, designed to be adapted to a wide range of operational contexts. It also supports continuous improvement and is increasingly used as a foundation for regulatory audits, procurement requirements, and internal cybersecurity governance programs. 

Why It Matters to MSPs 

Although CAF is mandated for OES, its adoption is expanding beyond regulated boundaries. Organizations not yet formally in scope are increasingly embracing CAF principles, driven by procurement demands, contractual obligations, supply chain expectations, and a proactive approach to cyber resilience. Moreover, the UK government has indicated plans to expand the number of sectors and organizations in scope under upcoming legislation, further emphasizing the strategic value of early alignment. 

Understanding CAF enables MSPs to speak the language of UK regulators and position themselves as trusted cybersecurity advisors. Helping clients align with CAF opens doors to new business opportunities, particularly when contracts require proof of cyber maturity. It also ensures MSPs are well positioned to support evolving client needs as more sectors fall under regulatory oversight. 

Business Opportunity: From IT Provider to Trusted Security Advisor 

Helping clients implement CAF goes beyond checking a regulatory box; it enables them to build more secure, resilient operations. Controls around access, incident response, and supply chain risk, which are core to CAF, are increasingly expected by insurers and regulators alike. MSPs that guide clients in meeting these standards add strategic value during cyber insurance evaluations and vendor assessments. 

CAF also provides a valuable anchor for simplifying multi-framework compliance. Its outcome-based approach allows MSPs to streamline client efforts across frameworks like ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, and NIST CSF, reducing duplication and creating a more scalable, efficient service model. 

In the UK, CAF knowledge has become a meaningful differentiator. As the government-backed framework for public sector and critical infrastructure, CAF signals credibility and alignment with national cyber requirements, which can be a key deciding factor in competitive bids. 

To deliver on this value, MSPs can offer CAF-aligned services such as: 

• Risk and compliance assessments 

• Policy creation 

• Remediation planning 

• Reporting for governance and board visibility 

By incorporating CAF into their offerings, MSPs can move beyond tactical IT support and become long-term security partners. Familiarity with the framework also strengthens their position when working with clients who prioritize resilience, trust, and future readiness, even if compliance isn’t yet required. 

Are Your Clients in Scope? 

MSPs should review their client and prospect base to identify whether those organizations: 

• Are classified as OES 

• Operate in sectors likely to fall under the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill in the future 

• Face cyber assurance requirements in tenders, RFPs, or due diligence processes 

Even if compliance isn’t yet mandatory, shaping services around CAF prepares clients for regulation and helps MSPs lead the conversation. 

With Cynomi, MSPs can scale CAF-aligned services profitably, winning new clients, retaining existing ones, and becoming indispensable partners for long-term cyber resilience. 

How Cynomi Helps MSPs Deliver and Scale CAF-Aligned Services 

Cynomi’s vCISO platform enables MSPs to offer repeatable, high-value services by automating compliance mapping and providing customized policies, CAF-aligned risk assessments, remediation plans, board-level reporting, and more. 

By automating the most complex aspects of NCSC CAF delivery, Cynomi frees up MSPs to focus on strategic guidance instead of getting bogged down in documentation. 

Final Thoughts 

As the UK advances its cyber agenda, now is the time to embed NCSC CAF into your service offerings. Book a personalized demo with Cynomi to see how we can help you do it faster, smarter, and at scale.