In Spring 2024, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero consulted on proposed changes to the main-body SEC and SEC Appendices aiming to support continuity of the CPA Scheme. This encompasses arrangements for assuring that smart metering devices, which operate as part of the Smart Metering System in Great Britain, meet the required cyber security standard. The proposals enable the transfer of overall responsibility to deliver, maintain, and operate the CPA Scheme from the current owner and operator National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to the SEC Panel’s Security Sub-Committee (SSC).
In May 2024, the Department issued its response to this consultation. The response (and the associated legal drafting) can be found here. As part of this, to support an effective transition to the new arrangements, the Department consulted on the initial draft version of the CPA Transition Approach Document that would undo most of the CPA-related changes until the transition to the new arrangements is ready to begin.
Subject to Parliamentary process, the proposed changes are expected to be introduced into the main-body SEC in the autumn of 2024.
The Department is now consulting on the revised initial version of the draft CPA Transition Approach Document. This will also enable appointment of the new CPA Scheme operator facilitating the transition to the new arrangements. A copy of the document can be found here.
Comments on this document and on the proposal that it will be designated on 21 October 2024 (or as soon as reasonably practicable within one month thereafter) should be submitted by 17.00 on 17 October 2024 to: smartmetering@energysecurity.gov.uk.