Commentary on provisions of Act Section 7: Powers of Ofcom to enforce compliance with security duties Section 105V: Enforcement of security duties: direction to take interim steps
Section 105V provides that, after Ofcom has given a provider a notification under section 105U, it must allow the provider an opportunity to make representations in response. Ofcom may only direct the provider to take the interim steps once the period allowed for representations is over (subsection (2)).
	Subsection (3) states that Ofcom may only direct a provider to take interim steps if they are satisfied that:
there are reasonable grounds for believing that a contravention has occurred;
there are reasonable grounds for believing that a security compromise has occurred as a result of the contravention and/or there is an imminent risk of a security compromise occurring as a result of the contravention; and
it is reasonable to give the direction, given the seriousness or likely seriousness of the compromise or potential compromise.
	Subsection (4) states that a direction to take interim steps must include a statement of reasons.
	Subsection (5) states that a direction must set out the time period within which each interim step must be taken.
	Subsection (6) states that a direction cannot require a provider to take interim steps after the completion of enforcement action by Ofcom.
	Subsection (7) requires Ofcom to commence or complete enforcement action as soon as reasonably practicable after a direction to take interim steps has been given.
	Subsection (8) states that a direction may at any time be revoked by Ofcom or varied to make it less onerous.
	Subsection (9) states that a provider must comply with a direction given to them to take interim steps under subsection (2)(a).
	Subsection (10) states that the duty to comply with directions under this section is enforceable in civil proceedings by Ofcom.