Trust in the Age of AI: A Practical Guide to the New UK Security Standards

fahd.zafar • February 12, 2025

With the UK government's announcement of world-first AI cyber security standards, organisations need a clear roadmap for implementation. At Altiatech, we're already helping businesses adapt their security frameworks to meet these new requirements while maintaining operational efficiency.

The UK government has announced groundbreaking new cyber security standards for AI systems, marking a significant shift in how organisations must approach AI security. This world-first Code of Practice aims to protect British businesses and public services from the growing threat of cyber attacks, with recent data showing that half of UK businesses have experienced security breaches in the past year.


The announcement comes at a crucial time for the UK's AI sector, which generated £14.2 billion in revenue last year. The new standards will provide organisations with practical tools and guidance for securing AI systems against hacking and sabotage, including specific requirements for cyber security training, incident recovery planning, and risk assessment. This voluntary Code of Practice will form the foundation for a new global standard through the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), cementing the UK's position as a leader in secure AI innovation.

Key Requirements Under the New Standard

The government's Code of Practice emphasises several critical areas:

  • System Security
  • Protection against cyber attacks
  • Safeguarding against sabotage
  • Secure development practices
  • Deployment security
  • Risk Management
  • AI-specific risk assessments
  • Vulnerability monitoring
  • Impact analysis
  • Mitigation strategies
  • Recovery Planning
  • Incident response procedures
  • System restoration
  • Business continuity
  • Stakeholder communication

Altiatech's Implementation Strategy

At Altiatech, we recommend a phased approach:

Phase 1: Assessment

  • Current security posture evaluation
  • Gap analysis against new standards
  • Resource requirement identification
  • Compliance roadmap development

Phase 2: Design

  • Security architecture updates
  • Control framework development
  • Policy and procedure creation
  • Training programme design

Phase 3: Implementation

  • Security control deployment
  • Monitoring system setup
  • Staff training execution
  • Documentation completion


Practical Steps for Compliance

Our experience shows that successful implementation requires:

  • Executive Buy-in
  • Clear communication of benefits
  • Resource allocation
  • Risk understanding
  • Long-term commitment

  • Technical Infrastructure
  • Security tools integration
  • Monitoring capabilities
  • Automation implementation
  • Access controls

  • Process Development
  • Security procedures
  • Incident response plans
  • Audit protocols
  • Review mechanisms


Benefits of Early Adoption

Taking action now offers several advantages:

  • Competitive differentiation
  • Early compliance achievement
  • Risk reduction
  • Enhanced security posture

Next Steps

To prepare for these new standards:

  1. Schedule a security assessment
  2. Review current AI implementations
  3. Develop a compliance roadmap
  4. Begin implementation planning

Get Expert Help

Contact Altiatech to discuss how we can help secure your AI systems and achieve compliance with the new standards.

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innovate@altiatech.com

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