UK Defence secretary Philip Hammond has announced that the government is creating a new Joint Cyber Reserve (JCR) made up of computer experts who will work alongside regular forces to protect the nation’s cyber defences.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will recruit "hundreds" of computer experts as cyber reservists to protect the UK’s critical computer networks and safeguard vital data. Cyberattacks were identified as a ‘tier one’ threat in the government’s 2010 National Security Risk Assessment. This is the same category assigned to international terrorism, an international military crisis and a major accident or natural hazard requiring a national response.
Hammond said that it would be an "exciting opportunity" for IT experts working in industry to "put their skills to good use for the nation".
He said: "In response to the growing cyber threat, we are developing a full-spectrum military cyber capability, including a strike capability, to enhance the UK’s range of military capabilities. Increasingly, our defence budget is being invested in high-end capabilities such as cyber and intelligence and surveillance assets to ensure we can keep the country safe."
As well as targeting cyber security experts with no previous military experience, the MoD will recruit regular personnel leaving the Armed Forces and current and former reservists with the necessary skills.
IDG News Service
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