National Cyber Force
National Cyber Force (NCF) is a UK national cyber force currently being set up, 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]
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]
History
Plans for the unit were reported in the media in September 2018.[5][6][7][8] 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]
See also
References
- 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.
- 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.
- "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.