Senior ministers are to hold private briefings for defence companies and operators of critical national infrastructure on the danger Russia presents to their organisations. According to the government's announcement, Security Minister Dan Jarvis will chair one session with industry bodies representing CNI providers, while Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones will lead another for those representing defence firms.
Key points
- Who chairs — Dan Jarvis takes the CNI briefing; Louise Sandher-Jones takes the defence one.
- Who attends — industry bodies for critical national infrastructure and defence companies.
- Where — Whitehall, behind closed doors.
- Why now — the Prime Minister used his UN General Assembly speech this week to highlight Russian hybrid attacks and Ukraine.
Ministers say Russia and its proxies deliberately target businesses and organisations that underpin British life or matter to the defence of Ukraine. The tactics involved include cyber attacks, sabotage and disinformation, which can take organisations offline, interrupt their work and erode public trust. The briefings will use intelligence material, following earlier sessions this year for university leaders and political parties on foreign interference.
Support already in place
The government points to existing help for defence firms and CNI providers, including specialist policing through the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, cyber expertise from the National Cyber Security Centre and tailored advice from the National Protective Security Authority. This month the Crown Prosecution Service charged a British man under the National Security Act. He is accused of preparing an act of sabotage after allegedly receiving instructions from someone thought to be linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps.
What it means in practice
These briefings are aimed at the organisations that keep everyday life running — power, water, transport, communications and defence suppliers. For most people, nothing changes immediately, but the push for stronger internal security may eventually show up in how these firms handle staff vetting, supplier checks and reporting of suspicious activity.
- If you work in these sectors — expect your employer to tighten security rules and remind staff how to report unusual approaches or emails.
- If you run a small supplier — larger contractors may start asking more questions about your own cyber and physical security.
- For everyone else — the practical impact is limited for now, but the government is clearly treating disruption to essential services as a live risk.
