UK Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) v3.1

Why it Matters

The UK Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) v3.1 enables organizations to systematically evaluate and strengthen their cybersecurity and risk management capabilities.

Key benefits include:

• Strengthen cyber risk governance

Improve leadership oversight and establish clear accountability for safeguarding critical assets and operational processes.

• Enhance regulatory compliance

Align cyber risk management activities with industry standards and legal obligations to support compliance with national requirements.

• Promote operational resilience

Enable organizations to withstand and recover from cyber incidents by systematically addressing risk across business functions and supply chains.

• Improve incident response capabilities

Support rapid identification, reporting, and mitigation of security incidents to minimize operational impact and service disruption.

• Support informed decision-making

Provide structured, evidence-based assessments that guide investment and resource allocation for cybersecurity improvements.

How it Works

The UK Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) v3.1 structures cybersecurity and operational resilience through a set of 14 high-level security and governance principles, grouped into four overarching objectives: Managing Security Risk, Protecting Against Cyber Attack, Detecting Cyber Security Events, and Minimizing the Impact of Incidents. Each objective is underpinned by detailed indicators of good practice and supporting guidance, allowing organizations to assess the completeness and maturity of their security management processes.

Organizations implement the UK CAF by conducting self-assessments or third-party audits against each principle and indicator, identifying gaps in security controls, risk management practices, and governance measures. Typical activities include reviewing current safeguards, mapping CAF requirements to internal policies, performing compliance monitoring, and documenting evidence of effective security operations to meet regulatory and industry expectations for resilience.

SmartSuite enables organizations to operationalize the UK CAF by leveraging built-in control libraries aligned to CAF principles, maintaining risk registers, and centralizing policy governance. The platform supports collection of assurance evidence, ongoing compliance tracking, and management of remediation actions through structured workflows. Integrated dashboards allow organizations to monitor assessment status, track risk mitigation progress, and prepare audit-ready reports for regulators or stakeholders.

Key Elements

• Governance and Risk Management

Establishes organizational leadership, risk assessment processes, and accountability for cybersecurity decision-making.

• Protective Security Controls

Defines safeguards for networks, systems, and data to prevent unauthorized access and mitigate vulnerabilities.

• Operational Resilience Measures

Describes procedures for ensuring continuity of critical services during disruptive cyber incidents.

• Incident Detection and Response

Specifies mechanisms for identifying, reporting, and managing security incidents and breaches.

• Supply Chain Security Oversight

Outlines requirements for assessing and assuring the security of external suppliers and partners.

• Continuous Improvement Processes

Details how organizations monitor cyber posture and evolve practices based on new threats or regulatory changes.

Framework Scope

The UK Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) v3.1 is used by organizations managing critical national infrastructure, operators of essential services, and sectors requiring robust cyber risk management. It governs information systems, industrial control systems, and operational technology in contexts such as complying with national regulations, improving cyber resilience, and supporting assurance programs for operational continuity and regulatory oversight.

Framework Objectives

The UK Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) v3.1 provides a foundation for organizations to enhance cyber resilience and regulatory compliance.

Strengthen cybersecurity risk management across critical systems and processes

Establish effective governance and oversight of cybersecurity controls

Enhance regulatory compliance within national and sector-specific requirements

Improve operational resilience to withstand and recover from cyber incidents

Safeguard data protection and reduce exposure to security threats

Demonstrate robust security governance through ongoing assessment and audit readiness

Framework in Context

The UK Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) v3.1 is aligned with operational resilience standards and maps to frameworks such as NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO/IEC 27001, and CIS Critical Security Controls. Organizations typically implement CAF to meet regulatory cybersecurity requirements, strengthen operational resilience, and demonstrate assurance to sector regulators, especially in critical national infrastructure sectors.

Common Framework Mappings

The UK Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) v3.1 is often mapped to major global standards to streamline compliance, support operational resilience, and enable organizations to meet multiple regulatory and best practice requirements efficiently.

Mapped frameworks include:

CIS Critical Security Controls

Cyber Essentials

ISO/IEC 27001

ISO/IEC 27002

ISO/IEC 27701

MITRE ATT&CK

NIST Cybersecurity Framework

NIST SP 800-53