Cyber force to bring together intelligence and defence staff

A NEW National Cyber Force will combine intelligence and defence agencies to protect the UK from online attacks.

The Prime Minister referred to the new organisation in a speech to Parliament on defence spending, although it is likely the NCF will not seek any public profile in future.

The agency, led jointly by GCHQ and the MOD but with representation also from MI6, will seek to disrupt terrorists, hostile state activities and criminals targeting the UK.

The NCF will also protect UK military hardware, such as the F-35 stealth fighter, from targeting by hostile weapon systems.

Jerremy Fleming, the GCHQ director, said: “For over a century GCHQ has worked to keep the UK safe. Cyber security has become an integral part of this mission as we strive to make the UK the safest place to live and do business online. Today, the National Cyber Force builds out from that position of defensive strength.

“It brings together intelligence and defence capabilities to transform the UK’S ability to contest adversaries in cyber space, to protect the country, its people and our way of life.”

Around 3,000 cyber experts will be recruited over the next decade with staff being drawn from existing Defence or GCHQ employees.

MI6 will provide expertise in recruiting and running agents online.

With the remit to target threats ranging from serious crime to state-based cyber attacks, exact boundaries between the NCF and existing agencies such as GCHQ and the National Crime Agency have yet to be worked out.

A source told The Daily Telegraph it is likely the other government agencies will be responsible for collecting intelligence, handing over to the NCF for “executive action”.

In recent months, applicants for the NCF from the Armed Forces have been undergoing aptitude and attitude tests, f ollowing which they have been streamed into different roles.

The Telegraph understands the NCF has had more applications from military personnel than posts to fill.

Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, said the NCF is “bolstering our global presence in the cyber domain”.

“It is a clear example of how we are turning our ambitious agenda to modernise defence into a reality.”