The NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework – A Case for Wider Adoption

Introduction to the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework

When it comes to defending against today’s evolving cyber threats, a strong foundation matters. The UK National Cyber Security Centre Cyber Assessment Framework (NCSC CAF) can help organisations improve the management of cyber risk and opportunity, it assists with building consumer trust and confidence and increases cyber resilience.

What is the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF)?

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) is a structured approach designed to help organisations assess and manage cyber risks. Developed by the NCSC, the Cyber Assessment Framework is a comprehensive, yet flexible and easy to understand framework that helps organisations assess and improve their cyber resilience. 

The CAF is structured around 4 (four) objectives and 14 (fourteen) principles, offering a clear path for strengthening an organisation’s cyber security posture. It includes 39 (thirty-nine) contributing outcomes, supported by a set of Indicators of Good Practice (IGPs). (Source: NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework Overview, National Cyber Security Centre). The framework focuses on outcomes to be achieved, aligned to business objectives.

Originally designed for operators of essential services and those managing critical national infrastructure, where security measures are vital for national security and societal good, the framework is flexible enough to be used by any organisation to protect critical/material products/service delivery, activities and assets.

Due to its flexibility, adopting the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) can help organisations, in all sectors, systematically improve their cybersecurity governance and risk management arrangements, effect cultural change, prioritise resource allocation, increase compliance, improve supply chain security and enhance cyber resilience. 

It compliments common industry recognised security standards such as ISO 27001 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF 2.0).

Why Cyber Resilience Matters

Cyber threats are growing rapidly in both scale and complexity, demanding stronger resilience and more proactive defence strategies from organisations of all sizes. Businesses, public sector organisations, and critical infrastructure providers must meet the challenges of an increasingly complex environment to prevent data breaches, operational disruptions, and financial losses and at the same time be able to recover if breaches occur.

By implementing the NCSC CAF, organisations are able to demonstrate their commitment to cyber security best practices. This framework can be used to support compliance with regulatory requirements and as a stepping stone to other best practice standards, e.g. ISO 27001, which sets the global standard for information security management systems (ISMS).

Additionally, applying the CAF framework helps organisations systematically manage security risks, ensuring the right security controls are in place to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats. This is essential for protecting information systems supporting critical operations.

Real-World Lessons: The Cost of Poor Cyber Resilience

The need for strong cyber resilience is far from theoretical. In 2023, UK councils faced severe ransomware attacks that disrupted essential public services and compromised citizen data. These incidents caused prolonged outages and seriously public confidence in digital systems. 

The challenge continues as recent incidents from both the public and private sector continue to be reported. 

More recently, the UK retail sector has suffered disruption, which has been widely publicised elsewhere, resulting in damage to the organisations concerned, a lack of produce for consumers and once again, an erosion of trust in digital organisations. 

Recent research from Thales indicates digital trust is on the decline…

“Across 13 different sectors, only insurance, banking and government saw either their trust level remain stagnant, or very slightly increase. When asked which sector they trusted with their personal data, not one sector reached above 50% approval.” Source: Thales; 2025 Thales Digital Trust Index: ‘Global Trust in Digital Services Declines’

These events highlight the urgent need for local authorities, essential service providers and organisations across all sectors to improve cyber resilience. 

The NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) provides a solution and offers a structured approach to improved cyber resilience and the restoration of consumer trust and confidence in digital service delivery.

Digital Trust Professional® (DTP®) NCSC CAF Foundation Certificate

The Digital Trust Professional® (DTP®) NCSC CAF Foundation Certificate is a two-day instructor-led course designed for professionals working in cyber security, governance, or regulatory compliance. It equips participants with practical knowledge to assess, implement, and align cyber security measures using the CAF framework.

The course enables participants to:

• Understand the structure, purpose of intent of the NCSC CAF

• Describe the objectives and principles contained within the NCSC CAF

• Understand the importance of risk management within the NCSC CAF

• Understand considerations for the adoption of the NCSC CAF

• Explain similarities between the NCSC CAF and other commonly used business improvement, risk management and control frameworks

• Understand how the NCSC CAF enables improved cyber resilience

• Understand the NCSC Cyber Resilience Audit Scheme ecosystem and objectives

The course is ideal for organisations delivering essential services, those in regulated sectors, or any organisation seeking a structured approach to improving their organisation’s cyber resilience.

Why Choose Digital Trust Professional® (DTP)® Training?

The Digital Trust Professional® (DTP®) growing training course portfolio provides training based on UK National Cyber Security Centre guidance including:

• Digital Trust Professional® (DTP®) Foundation Certificate

• Digital Trust Professional® (DTP®) NCSC Risk Management Framework (RMF) Foundation Certificate

• Digital Trust Professional® (DTP®) NCSC Secure by Design (SbD) Foundation Certificate

• Digital Trust Professional® (DTP®) NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) Foundation Certificate

• Digital Trust Professional® (DTP®) NCSC Supply Chain Management (SCM) Foundation Certificate

• Digital Trust Professional® (DTP®) NCSC Software Security Code of Practice (SSCoP) Foundation Certificate

Dates for open enrolment Digital Trust Professional and NIST Cybersecurity Professional training.