The UK government started 2026 with around $265 million (£210 million) cyber security defence in depth plan, led by Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), setting supply chain rules and central cyber units as advanced defenders.
Cyber complications in 2025 led to threats growing more complex, forcing the Keir Starmer’s government to pivot from immediate solutions to systems that can respond at machine speed.
Today’s cyber defence solutions are the foundation for smarter, more automated protection that counter state-backed and hybrid cyber-attacks.
Building Cyber Resilience
The UK’s cyber security action plan is a new Government Cyber Unit within DSIT, that oversees risks across departments and public bodies.
The unit integrates visibility and response to reduce blind spots and support cyber defence technologies that scale across government networks.
“This plan will go further than we have before, prioritizing cyber resilience and ensuring we have strong central leadership driving cross-government response,” Digital Government Minister Ian Murray says.
Led by the Government Chief Information Security Officer, the unit will set mandatory standards, manage supplier risk, and coordinate incident response.
The layered approach of cyber security defence in depth means future systems could include AI tools that act without the need for human input.
“We are not starting from scratch; we are scaling what works, learning from successes across the public sector and our international partners,” added Murray, describing the plan as a long term national cyber security action plan.
According to experts, the UK is stepping up toward active cyber defence. Meaning, advanced systems can prevent attacks in real time.
Ric Derbyshire, Principal Security Researcher at Orange Cyberdefense, mentions that the cyber plan is proof of how the UK government is taking the cyber security matter seriously across digital public services, marking its importance as geopolitical tensions rise and rivals compete.
Supply Chain Rules Support AI Defence
The cyber security defence in depth plan comes at a time supply chain remains a risk. According to government data, 59% of organizations were hit by related cyber-attacks last year. The government’s reaction combines regulation with preparation for smarter defences built into future platforms.
Through the Software Security Ambassador Scheme, DSIT is promoting secure development practices supported by cyber defence solutions that reduce the chance of one weak supplier compromising many services. Tech Giants such as Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, Sage, Santander and NCC Group are backing up the effort.
“We are pleased to be an ambassador for the UK Government’s Software Security Code of Practice and it reflects our broader commitment to collective resilience” says Thomas Harvey, Chief Information Security Officer at Santander UK.
Alongside voluntary measures, the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will put enough pressure on providers to meet strict standards. Supporting cyber security defence in depth security is a top priority, and these rules will ensure protections exist at every layer as services become more automated.
However, analysts warn that attackers exploit trust between systems. Matt Cooke, Director of Cybersecurity Strategy at Proofpoint, mentioned that Advanced Persistent Threat groups (APT) and criminals highly target the interconnectedness of government through vulnerabilities in the vendor ecosystem.
“Attackers are leveraging this trust by using sophisticated credential theft and account takeover techniques to move laterally from a supplier directly into the heart of government departments,” he commented.
Cooke emphasizes the need for stronger cyber defence solutions as governments rely on shared platforms.
Over time, officials expect AI-driven monitoring and response tools to deliver active cyber defense resiliency across networks.
The $265 million (£210 million) investment will position the UK cybersecurity as core national infrastructure. When asking what the plan for cyber defence technologies means and how it can affect digital protection for the whole nation, the answer is the following.
By combining regulation, central oversight and emerging automation, policymakers aim to embed cyber security defence in depth at the heart of the country’s cyber growth action plan, meaning, preparing public services for the next generation of malicious digital threats and establishing clear prospects around security resilience.
Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Cybersecurity sections to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.