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 large-scale loss of life.

CPNI draws its advice from the expertise, knowledge and information of the organisations that contribute to its work. We sponsor research and work in partnership with academia, other government organisations, research institutions and the private sector, to develop applications that 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 that operate the key elements on which essential services depend.

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.

Northern Ireland

CPNI takes 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.