In July 2025, the UK government unveiled a ground-breaking package of measures aimed at disrupting the ransomware economy and protecting vital services. These moves represent a pivotal shift in the fight against cybercrime, raising the bar for organisational resilience and compliance.
What’s Changing?
– A legal ban on ransom payments by public sector bodies and operators of critical national infrastructure, including NHS trusts, local councils, and schools. The Guardian
– Private organisations must now notify the government before making any ransom payment, allowing authorities to vet and advise, and ensure sanctions compliance.
– A mandatory incident reporting regime is also in development, designed to boost law enforcement visibility and dismantle ransomware networks. GOV.UK
These reforms are driven by broad public and stakeholder support, with nearly 75% backing stronger action in recent consultations. GOV.UK Experts warn that while partial bans may not immediately deter cybercriminals, these steps mark a significant milestone in the UK’s Plan for Change. Tom’s Hardware
Why It Matters to Your Business
The UK estimates that ransomware costs its economy millions of pounds annually, with attacks threatening both financial stability and public safety. Recent incidents have even been linked to hospital service disruptions and patient deaths. National Crime Without robust cybersecurity, businesses risk not only operational loss, but also regulatory scrutiny and reputational harm.
How 4th Platform Can Support You
At 4th Platform, we offer end-to-end cybersecurity services designed to help you stay secure, compliant, and resilient in this new regulatory era.
Our Cybersecurity Capabilities:
– Risk assessment & compliance readiness: We help you understand the impact of new ransomware laws, align with Cyber Security & Resilience Bill standards, and implement Cyber Essentials or other frameworks. Business News Wales
– Threat prevention & monitoring: Proactive network monitoring, device encryption, zero-trust access controls, and smart malware detection to stop attacks before they escalate.
– Incident response & reporting: We work with you to document and report security incidents properly (as required under mandatory reporting) and guide you through government notification protocols.
– Security awareness & training: Empower employees with expert training to prevent phishing, ransomware delivery, and social engineering exploits.
Proven Track Record:
Businesses like Portsmouth Grammar School, OMF International, and Porchlight rely on 4th Platform for secure IT and managed support that prevents issues before they arise.
What You Should Do Next
- Start with a Cybersecurity Health Check
Let’s assess your current systems, employee awareness, and ransomware readiness before new regulations take effect. - Implement layered security using zero-trust, encryption, and continuous monitoring to stop threats early.
- Prepare policies for incident reporting and develop a clear communications plan in case of ransomware attempts.
Ready to Get Ahead of the Curve?
Don’t wait until it’s too late. At 4th Platform, we’re here to help you navigate upcoming regulatory changes and strengthen your defences, so you stay compliant, secure, and confident.
Book a discovery session today:
Call us on 0333 240 8139 or visit our website to book a consultation.
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