National Cyber Force

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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[]

References[]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Kerbaj, Richard. "Female spy to net terrorists as head of 'cyber‑SAS'". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 February 2020 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  4. ^ "Conservatives propose national cyber crime force". ComputerWeekly.com. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  5. ^ "International Policy Review Puts Cyber at the centre of the UK's Security". GOV.UK. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ Fisher, Lucy. "Britain launches £250m cyber‑force to wage war on terrorists". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 February 2020 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  9. ^ "UK To Develop 2,000-Strong Offensive Cyber Force". British Forces Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Britain to create 2,000-strong cyber force to tackle Russia threat". Sky News. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Permanent location of National Cyber Force campus announced". GOV.UK. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
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