How The Cyber Security Bill Creates New Opportunities For MSPs

30 Apr How The Cyber Security Bill Creates New Opportunities For MSPs

The digital skills landscape continues to evolve at a breakneck pace in 2025, with cybersecurity becoming an increasingly critical concern across all sectors. 

The UK Government’s forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience (CSR) Bill represents a significant shift in the regulatory landscape – one that brings both challenges and remarkable opportunities for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and tech professionals alike.

Why Cybersecurity Matters Now

With the expanded scope of the CSR Bill, approximately 900-1100 MSPs that provide IT services to businesses will be brought into the regulatory framework. This isn’t just another compliance hurdle – it’s reshaping the market for cybersecurity talent.

Dr Gregory Epiphaniou, Associate Professor of Cyber Security Engineering at WMG, explains: “The forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience (CSR) Bill introduces sweeping changes such as stricter compliance requirements, stronger enforcement powers, and steep daily fines for cybersecurity lapses, which means organisations without large in-house security teams face mounting pressure to meet regulatory standards.[1]”

The stakes are high. The bill threatens fines of up to £100,000 for cybersecurity breaches, creating an urgent imperative for organisations to bolster their security capabilities. 

According to the Government’s 2024 Cyber Breaches Survey, half of UK businesses reported some form of cyber security breach or attack in the past twelve months, highlighting the pressing need for these enhanced protections.

What Changes Does the CSR Bill Make?

The CSR Bill introduces sweeping changes to the UK’s cybersecurity landscape:

• MSPs face new security duties: Managed Service Providers will need to implement enhanced security measures and comply with incident reporting requirements.
• Critical Suppliers designation: Organisations in vital supply chains may be designated as “Critical Suppliers” with new obligations.
• Enhanced incident reporting: Operators of essential services or digital infrastructure will face stricter reporting requirements.
• Data centre regulation: Data centre operators will likely fall under regulation if additional proposals are enacted.
• Stronger enforcement: The Information Commissioner’s Office will gain greater information-gathering powers, while regulators will have improved cost ‘recovery mechanisms’ to fund their activities.

While these changes create compliance challenges, they also open up significant opportunities for MSPs and technology professionals.

Five Ways the CSR Bill Creates Career Opportunities

1. Skills Gap Spotlight

The sudden regulation of 900-1100 MSPs creates immediate demand for cybersecurity professionals with specific expertise.

Research from the UK Government estimates that 44% of businesses have a skills gap, where employees responsible for cyber security lack the confidence to carry out the basic tasks laid out in the government-endorsed Cyber Essentials scheme[2].

This skills gap is particularly acute in areas such as:

• Regulatory compliance expertise
• Incident response capabilities
• Supply chain security management
• Security architecture design
• Vulnerability assessment

For professionals with these skills, the CSR Bill represents a significant opportunity to advance their careers and increase their market value.

2. Career Growth Opportunities

As MSPs race to meet the new requirements, professionals with specialised skills will find themselves increasingly in demand. This creates excellent pathways for career advancement, particularly for those who can demonstrate expertise in:

• Implementing compliance frameworks
• Developing incident response protocols
• Conducting security assessments
• Managing supply chain security risks
• Designing resilient network architectures

Those who position themselves as skilled in both technical knowledge and regulatory understanding will be particularly well placed to benefit from these changes.

3. Competitive Advantage Through Trained Staff

For MSPs, having compliance-ready staff isn’t just about avoiding fines, it’s a market differentiator. Those who can quickly staff up with the right expertise will turn regulation into a competitive advantage by:

• Offering compliance-ready services to their clients
• Demonstrating security capabilities as a selling point
• Building resilience into their service offerings
• Helping clients navigate complex regulatory requirements

MSPs that view the CSR Bill as an opportunity rather than just a compliance burden will emerge as market leaders.

4. Board-Level Elevation

The CSR Bill is elevating cybersecurity from a technical concern to a board-level priority. As cyber resilience becomes a regulatory requirement with significant financial implications, security roles are increasingly becoming C-suite concerns.

Recent research shows that 100% of Fortune 500 companies employed a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or an equivalent role in 2023, up from 70% in 2018, with at least 32,000 CISOs working globally[3].

This creates opportunities for:

• Senior cybersecurity leadership placements
• Advisory roles focused on regulatory strategy
• Board-level consultants with security expertise
• Security professionals with business and communication skills

The most successful professionals will be those who can translate technical security requirements into business language while driving strategic compliance initiatives.

5. From Technical Specialist to Trusted Advisor

The complexity of the CSR Bill creates demand for professionals who can serve as trusted advisors, not just technical implementers. MSPs and individual professionals who can guide organisations through the compliance journey will find themselves highly valued.

This shift rewards those who develop:

• Deep understanding of regulatory requirements
• Ability to assess organisational risk profiles
• Skills in developing practical compliance roadmaps
• Experience implementing security controls across diverse environments

The most successful professionals will combine technical expertise with the consultative skills needed to navigate complex regulatory landscapes.

Navigating the CSR Bill at Your Organisation

At GreatFind Recruitment, we’re not just filling positions, we’re strategic advisors who understand both the staffing challenges and the regulatory requirements MSPs face. Our deep industry knowledge positions us to connect the right people with emerging opportunities created by the CSR Bill.

Whether you’re an MSP looking to build your cybersecurity capabilities or a technology professional seeking to utilise your abilities in this changing landscape, we can help you navigate these changes successfully.

You may also find our recap of powerful TED talks useful – scroll to the end to learn more about the difference in highlighting your abilities rather than your experience!

The CSR Bill represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the UK technology sector. Those who proactively embrace the changes and develop the necessary capabilities will thrive in this new regulatory landscape.

Schedule a complimentary recruitment strategy session to discuss how these regulatory changes impact your specific hiring needs.

Contact us today to get started.

GreatFind Recruitment leads the way in EdTech and Technology recruitment with over 20 years of experience building relationships that matter across educational and commercial technology sectors.

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This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance on compliance with the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, please consult with qualified legal professionals.