What is GovAssure and Why does it matter to you?

In this article, we explore GovAssure, a five-stage cybersecurity assurance approach that supports UK government departments in aligning with the Government Cyber Security Strategy and NCSC’s Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF). Discover why GovAssure matters for public sector cybersecurity, and learn how UBDS Digital helps organisations achieve compliance and greater cyber resilience.

The Path to Achieving Greater Cyber Resilience

As the UK government continues to embrace digital transformation, cybersecurity is not just a necessity - it’s a strategic imperative. Public sector organisations hold vast amounts of sensitive data, including citizen records and classified information related to national security. In fact, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reported that 40% of the incidents it managed between September 2020 and August 2021 were aimed at the public sector, and this trend continues to rise.

Recognising these escalating threats, the Government Cyber Security Strategy: 2022 to 2030 was introduced as the UK Government’s roadmap for achieving greater cyber resilience. Central to this strategy is the adoption of the NCSC’s Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), designed to standardise and uplift cyber practices across government. To bring this policy to life, the GovAssure approach was launched—helping organisations systematically assess, improve, and evidence their security posture. In January 2025, The National Audit Office released a Cyber resilience report on cyber threats to UK government, highlighting the severity and rapid evolution of these risks.

Why GovAssure Matters to You

As a cybersecurity professional within the UK public sector, you stand on the front line of protecting crucial data and services in an ever-evolving threat landscape. Cybersecurity is more than a technology challenge - it spans governance, organisational culture, human behaviour, and risk management. Your efforts must balance cutting-edge technological defences with agile, people-centric strategies.

For public sector bodies, aligning your cybersecurity measures with national standards and the government’s cyber strategy is essential. Doing so not only helps ensure compliance but also fosters public trust, mitigates risk, and maintains operational continuity in a digital-first era.

What Is GovAssure?

GovAssure is a five-stage cybersecurity assurance approach that enables government departments and public sector bodies to:

• Assess critical systems against a national baseline of good practice—specifically, the NCSC’s Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF).
• Verify through independent review that self-assessment findings accurately reflect the organisation’s security posture.
• Improve by creating a tailored action plan with the Government Security Group, addressing identified gaps.
• Attain a ‘baseline’ or ‘enhanced’ security posture, adequate for protecting essential services or critical national infrastructure.
• Sustain resilience through ongoing measurement and continuous improvement.

By following GovAssure, departments gain a clear, structured view of their vulnerabilities and a roadmap to strengthen their defensive capabilities. The result is a recognised and standardised security posture that supports the UK Government’s overarching drive towards robust cyber resilience.

How UBDS Digital Can Assist

At UBDS Digital, we bring practical, hands-on experience implementing GovAssure in complex public sector environments. Recently, we supported a central government department with GovAssure for five critical systems across the department and two of its Arm’s-Length Bodies (ALBs). Our approach included:

• Critical Systems Identification: Mapping the organisation’s technology landscape to pinpoint where the highest risks lie.
• CAF Self-Assessment: Collaborating with service owners and cybersecurity teams to gather evidence and navigate over 400 indicators within the NCSC’s Cyber Assessment Framework.
• Independent Review Preparation: Helping the organisation procure and onboard an external assessor for the independent verification phase, ensuring accuracy and integrity of the self-assessment.
• Targeted Improvement Plan: Finalising a detailed report for submission to the Cabinet Office, setting the stage for a focused, effective remediation plan in line with GovAssure guidance.
• Blueprint & Training: Developing a GovAssure blueprint housed in the organisation’s Knowledge Centre, enabling service owners to self-serve and maintain compliance over time.

By leveraging this structured methodology, we empower public sector teams to confidently navigate the complexities of GovAssure, safeguarding mission-critical systems and, ultimately, public trust.

Ready to Strengthen Your Cyber Resilience?

GovAssure is more than a checkbox exercise—it’s a pathway to long-term cybersecurity maturity aligned with national strategy. Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to optimise an existing programme, UBDS Digital can guide you at every step.

Read more about our GovAssure service or get in touch to find out how we can help you meet and exceed GovAssure requirements - enhancing your security posture while supporting innovation and digital transformation across your organisation.