Hubtel IT and Konsileo bring industry leaders together to shape UK cyber security policy

Business leaders from across London and the Midlands joined policymakers and cyber experts at Westminster to discuss the impact of the UK’s cyber security and resilience bill.

The experts called for clearer, practical support to help organizations adapt.

The parliamentary roundtable, hosted by Hubtel IT and Konsileo at Portcullis House, brought together representatives from Microsoft, the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group and a broad mix of sectors including legal, education, insurance and technology.

The Bill represents a major step in strengthening the UK’s cyber defences, building on existing regulation to better protect essential services and digital infrastructure.

While attendees widely supported the intent, the discussion highlighted growing concern among SMEs about how the requirements will be implemented in practice.

Many businesses are still unclear on the cost, scope and operational impact of the changes, creating a risk that organisations who fail to prepare could find themselves excluded from supply chains, contracts or growth opportunities as compliance expectations increase.

Key themes included the role of AI in shaping both cyber risk and defence, the importance of cyber insurance, and the need to balance strong regulation with continued economic growth.

A particular focus was placed on supply chains, with the Bill expected to bring more organisations into scope based on the services they support rather than their size alone.

Microsoft representatives echoed support for the direction of travel, while stressing the need for clarity around reporting obligations and how businesses are classified.

Contributors from the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group highlighted the importance of collaboration in supporting SMEs, particularly through accessible guidance and real-world expertise.

In response to the evolving regulatory landscape, Midlands-based Hubtel IT has launched its CyberHub package, designed to help organisations align with the forthcoming requirements.

The approach focuses on strengthening cyber resilience in a way that supports business performance, ensuring companies can continue to grow even as compliance expectations increase.

The roundtable also included first-hand accounts of cyber incidents, underlining the reality that cyber risk is now a core business issue across all sectors.

Following the session, Hubtel IT and Konsileo are preparing recommendations for government based on the discussion, including calls for clearer compliance frameworks and stronger collaboration with industry practitioners to ensure the legislation delivers in practice.

As the Bill progresses through Parliament, the message from business is clear, the ambition is welcome, but success will depend on how effectively government works with industry to turn policy into practical outcomes.