What we do

CPNI advice is targeted primarily at the critical national infrastructure (CNI) - those key elements of the national infrastructure which are crucial to the continued delivery of essential services to the UK. Without these key elements the essential services could not be delivered and the UK could suffer serious consequences, including severe economic damage, grave social disruption, or even large scale loss of life.

CPNI draws its advice from the expertise, knowledge and information of the organisations which contribute to our work. We sponsor research and work in partnership with academia, other government agencies, research institutions and the private sector, to develop applications which can reduce vulnerability to terrorist and other attacks and lessen the impact when attacks take place.

We also have special access to intelligence and information about terrorism and other threats which informs our advice and priorities.

Our advice is provided to national infrastructure businesses and organisations in a variety of ways, including face-to-face advice through teams of sector based and specialist, highly experienced advisers, training, online information and written advisory products. Our closest relationship is with those organisations which operate the key elements on which essential services depend, which has been built up over many years.

CPNI advice is integrated across the physical, personnel and information security disciplines both in response to user requirements and derived from expert knowledge about how to make the national infrastructure less vulnerable.

Other businesses and organisations, which are not part of the national infrastructure may find the generic advice detailed on these pages useful when thinking about their security planning. Many of the counter terrorism measures suggested can also contribute to an effective crime reduction strategy.

Northern Ireland

In accordance with the Prime Minister's February 2005 statement, the Security Service (MI5) has assumed the lead responsibility for all national security intelligence work in Northern Ireland (NI) from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).  This transfer of responsibility brings NI arrangements for national security work into line with those for the rest of the UK.  Under the new arrangements, CPNI will assume the lead for providing protective security advice to the national infrastructure within Northern Ireland, particularly relating to the delivery of advice to CNI operators covering physical, personnel and information security.