UK Leads Groundbreaking Crackdown on Ransomware to Protect Public Services and Businesses
Announced 22–23 July 2025
The UK government has unveiled a bold set of cybersecurity reforms aimed at dismantling the ransomware business model and safeguarding essential public infrastructure and private sectors alike (GOV.UK).
Banning Ransom Payments by Public Sector & Critical Infrastructure
Under the new measures, public bodies—such as the NHS, local councils, and schools—along with operators of critical national infrastructure, are now prohibited from paying ransom demands. Nearly three-quarters of respondents to the public consultation supported this move, which aims to send a clear message to cybercriminals that their operations will no longer be financed from UK coffers. (GOV.UK)
Mandatory Pre-Payment Notifications for Other Organisations
Private organisations not covered by the blanket ban must now notify the government before making any ransom payments. This gives officials the opportunity to offer immediate support, assess potential legal risks—such as interaction with sanctioned groups—and advise against unlawful transfers. (GOV.UK)
New Incident Reporting Regime
The government is also developing a mandatory reporting regime requiring organisations to report ransomware incidents within 72 hours, followed by a detailed report within 28 days. This intelligence will empower law enforcement to track trends, disrupt criminal networks, and support victims more effectively. (GOV.UK)
Why Now? The Rising Threat Landscape
Ransomware continues to pose an existential threat to UK services and commerce. Attacks on the NHS, British Library, Marks & Spencer, and the Co‑op Group have caused severe financial, operational, and reputational harm. Notably, a ransomware incident was found to have contributed to a patient’s death in an NHS hospital. (Reuters)
Indeed, recent National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reports highlight a surge in major cyberattacks over the past year, raising concerns about the UK's preparedness. (ft.com)
What Impact These Measures Are Expected to Have
Cutting off revenue streams — targeting both public sector payouts and private-sector acquiescence.
Reducing appeal to criminal actors — making UK institutions less attractive as targets.
Improving visibility — mandatory reporting allows authorities to gather data to inform policy and response.
Strengthening resilience — encouraging sound cyber-hygiene practices and preparedness across organisations. (Industrial Cyber, The Independent, The Guardian)
What Organisations Should Do Now
Organisations across sectors are urged to:
Review and strengthen preparedness — including maintaining offline backups, contingency plans, and tested incident response strategies (The Independent).
Comply with upcoming reporting requirements — ensuring timely and accurate incident submission.
Take advantage of government support — especially if considering payment of ransom or dealing with sanctions compliance.
Adopt recognised frameworks — such as Cyber Essentials, NCSC’s guidance, and other resilience best practices. (intelligentciso.com, The Guardian)
Conclusion
With these reforms, the UK is not merely reacting to ransomware incidents—it is reshaping the ecosystem. By cutting off funding, increasing transparency, and improving readiness, the government aims to make the UK a less viable target for cybercriminals.
This package marks a step change in national strategy and, if implemented effectively, could serve as a blueprint for ransomware policy globally.
Further Details
Consult the full GOV.UK announcement for more information and statements from relevant ministers and organisations. (thetimes.co.uk)
Review the government's response to the ransomware consultation, which guided the policy direction. (GOV.UK)
