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In an era where cyber threats are growing in scale and complexity, the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) plays a pivotal role in safeguarding patient data and healthcare systems. The recent alignment of the DSPT with the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) represents a significant step towards fortifying the NHS supply chain’s cybersecurity resilience.
For NHS suppliers, this update introduces new compliance requirements, responsibilities, and opportunities to enhance their security posture. In this blog, we’ll explain what the DSPT-CAF alignment means, why it matters, and how NHS suppliers can strategically prepare for success.
The alignment of DSPT with CAF aims to address one of the biggest challenges facing NHS suppliers: increased regulatory pressure and complex compliance frameworks.
This regulatory alignment acts as a safeguard for healthcare innovation, ensuring that suppliers can meet strict security standards while maintaining their competitive edge.
The DSPT is an annual self-assessment tool that healthcare organisations and suppliers use to demonstrate compliance with data protection laws such as the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. It ensures that suppliers handling NHS data meet critical cybersecurity standards.
Developed by the NCSC, the CAF is a structured risk management framework designed for organisations that form part of the UK’s critical infrastructure. It assesses key areas such as governance, risk mitigation, incident response, and monitoring.
The DSPT-CAF alignment merges these frameworks, setting a new benchmark for cybersecurity practices across NHS suppliers.
A single weak link in the supply chain can have catastrophic consequences, such as data breaches or service disruptions. The CAF’s risk-focused approach helps suppliers strengthen their defences, reducing vulnerabilities across the board.
The alignment ensures suppliers meet national-level security requirements, aligning with the UK’s broader strategy for protecting critical infrastructure. This raises the bar for all NHS suppliers and builds a more secure healthcare ecosystem.
CAF’s focus on governance, documentation, and accountability means suppliers must go beyond compliance checklists. They need to demonstrate proactive risk management and transparency through comprehensive reporting and incident response readiness.
By prioritising continuous monitoring and regular updates, the alignment prepares suppliers to respond effectively to evolving cyber threats, ensuring long-term resilience.
Suppliers must demonstrate board-level ownership of cybersecurity, defining clear roles and responsibilities and embedding security oversight within leadership structures.
CAF places a strong emphasis on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks. Suppliers will need to document these risks, review them regularly, and implement appropriate controls.
Suppliers must develop robust incident response frameworks, outlining how cyber incidents will be managed and mitigated. Regular incident response drills will be critical to ensuring readiness.
To detect and respond to threats in real time, suppliers must adopt advanced monitoring tools and conduct regular audits to validate the effectiveness of their cybersecurity measures.
Suppliers working with subcontractors or third-party vendors must ensure that these partners also comply with CAF-aligned standards, addressing vulnerabilities across the extended supply chain.
CAF’s emphasis on detailed documentation and auditing may require suppliers to allocate more time and resources to meet compliance expectations. This may involve hiring dedicated compliance teams or outsourcing assessments to trusted partners like Periculo.
Suppliers may need to upgrade their cybersecurity infrastructure, adopt new monitoring tools, and strengthen their risk management frameworks to align with CAF standards.
Suppliers who achieve DSPT-CAF compliance will stand out as reliable, trusted partners, improving their chances of securing long-term NHS contracts and new business opportunities.
Compliance with DSPT-CAF fosters stronger collaboration with NHS procurement teams, building trust and positioning suppliers as proactive partners in safeguarding healthcare operations.
Identify where your current cybersecurity practices fall short and prioritise areas for improvement.
Ensure cybersecurity leadership is well-defined, with board-level oversight and clear accountability for risk management.
Establish regular risk assessments, update documentation frequently, and create a detailed action plan for addressing vulnerabilities.
Create clear protocols for identifying, reporting, and mitigating cyber incidents, and conduct regular drills to ensure your team is prepared.
Ensure your subcontractors and partners meet CAF-aligned standards to protect your organisation from third-party vulnerabilities.
Invest in ongoing cybersecurity training and awareness programmes to ensure all employees understand their roles in maintaining compliance.
Periculo understands how overwhelming compliance and cybersecurity can be, especially when navigating complex regulatory changes. That’s why we offer a clear, step-by-step process to help NHS suppliers achieve compliance without disrupting their operations:
With our expertise, you can transform from feeling overwhelmed and underprepared to confident and audit-ready.
The alignment of the NHS DSPT with the NCSC’s CAF marks a significant leap forward in protecting the UK’s healthcare sector from cyber threats. While this shift introduces new challenges for NHS suppliers, it also offers a clear pathway to building resilience, strengthening partnerships, and achieving long-term success.
At Periculo, we’re here to support your journey every step of the way—helping you navigate compliance, enhance cybersecurity, and scale your business securely. Together, we can safeguard the future of digital health and ensure that your innovations continue to improve lives.
Contact Periculo for expert cyber security solutions tailored to the digital health industry.
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