National Risk Register, 2023

The National Risk Register (NRR) is an external version of the National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) conducted by the UK government. It aims to assess the most serious risks facing the country in various areas such as lives, health, society, critical infrastructure, economy, and sovereignty. These risks can be non-malicious, such as accidents or natural hazards, or malicious threats from actors seeking to harm the UK. The NRR includes information about 89 risks categorized into 9 themes, including terrorism, cyber threats, state threats, accidents and systems failures, and societal risks. The NRR assesses the likelihood and impact of each risk using a well-tested methodology. It sets out a 'reasonable worst-case scenario' for each risk to ensure preparedness for a broad range of scenarios. The register also provides information on the necessary capabilities to respond to and recover from emergencies related to each risk. This edition of the NRR aligns with the classified internal NSRA and is based on the same methodology. It reflects changes made to the NSRA methodology, including a focus on acute risks requiring emergency response, longer assessment timescales for non-malicious risks, and updated impact measures. The government has declassified more risk information to promote transparency and help risk practitioners understand the government's identification and assessment process. The NRR does not include 'chronic' risks, which are long-term challenges that gradually erode the economy, community, way of life, and national security. The government is establishing a separate process to address and manage these chronic risks. The NRR targets a range of risk and resilience practitioners, including voluntary and community sector organizations, businesses, academics, and experts. It is not intended for the general public, but the government provides tailored guidance and campaigns to help individuals and communities understand specific risks and take appropriate actions to protect themselves. Additionally, the government has launched the Emergency Alerts service to deliver urgent messages to mobile phones during emergencies and provide instructions on how to respond.