Teenage ‘cyber cadet’ force will help guard nation against online attacks

The Ministry of Defence is set to recruit a teenage “cyber cadet” force to help guard the nation against online attacks, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced at the Tory party conference.

He said that around 2,000 cadets a year would be trained on a £1 million GCHQ programme in an attempt to equip young people with the skills to “protect our nation against sophisticated and evolving threats”. Mr Williamson also announced that he would be protecting HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion being withdrawn from service early. There had been speculation that the ships were facing the scrapyard as the MOD looked to make savings.

Mr Williamson, announcing the cyber cadets, said: “We live in a modern world where our phones are rarely out of our hands and we rely on computers to make daily tasks easier.

“Cyber threats to the UK are constantly evolving and this exciting initiative to train and develop ‘cyber cadets’ – the first of its kind in a Nato state – reaffirms our leading role in

£7.50 tackling security threats headon. It is important to recognise the vital role cadets play in our communities and I am determined to grow the number of young people signing up and make sure their successes are properly recognised.”