National Cyber Force
The National Cyber Force (NCF) is a result of the consolidation of offensive cyber activity in the United Kingdom, dedicated to offensive action to combat security threats, hostile states, terror groups, extremism, hackers, disinformation and election interference.[1][2] The specialist unit is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and GCHQ, the British intelligence agency,[3][4] due to launch in spring 2020.[1] Its headquarters will be based in an as-yet determined location in the North-West of England[5] as part of a new 'cyber corridor'.
Around £76m will be invested in the NCF in its first year.[2] It will operate alongside the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which primarily concentrates on defensive cyber activities to protect government departments, strategic infrastructure and industry.[2]
An April 2021 report produced by academics from King's College London and the Offensive Cyber Working Group has produced a set of recommendations for the NCF, with an aim to increase public debate on offensive cyber in the UK.[6]
History[]
Plans for the unit were reported in the media in September 2018.[7][8][9][10] It has since been reported to have been delayed because of "distractions caused by uncertainties over Brexit and frequent changes of ministers and secretaries of state in the MoD"[2] and turf wars between the MOD and GCHQ.[1]
In October 2021 it was announced that the NCF will be based in the village of Samlesbury.[11]
See also[]
- UK cyber security community
- Joint Operations Cell
- Joint Threat Research Intelligence Group
- National Cyber Crime Unit
- United States Cyber Command
References[]
- ^ a b c Sabbagh, Dan (27 February 2020). "UK to launch specialist cyber force able to target terror groups". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 February 2020 – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ a b c d Sengupta, Kim (10 January 2020). "UK is about to launch force to hit hostile countries with cyberattacks". The Independent. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ Kerbaj, Richard. "Female spy to net terrorists as head of 'cyber‑SAS'". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 February 2020 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
- ^ "Conservatives propose national cyber crime force". ComputerWeekly.com. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ "International Policy Review Puts Cyber at the centre of the UK's Security". GOV.UK. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ Devanny, Joe; Dwyer, Andrew; Ertan, Amy; Stevens, Tim (2021). "The National Cyber Force that Britain Needs?" (PDF). Project Report. King's College London, London. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ "Britain steps up cyber offensive with new £250m unit to take on Russia and terrorists". The Telegraph. 21 September 2018. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 27 February 2020 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ Fisher, Lucy. "Britain launches £250m cyber‑force to wage war on terrorists". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 February 2020 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
- ^ "UK To Develop 2,000-Strong Offensive Cyber Force". British Forces Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ "Britain to create 2,000-strong cyber force to tackle Russia threat". Sky News. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ "Permanent location of National Cyber Force campus announced". GOV.UK. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- Hacker groups
- Hacking (computer security)
- GCHQ operations
- Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)