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 undetermined 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. 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. 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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