Defence Secretary announces funding for cyber innovation

Homeland May 29, 2019

Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt has announced £22million funding for cyber innovation in army operations.

Speaking at the NATO Cyber Defence Pledge Conference in London, Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt addressed the need for the UK and NATO members to recognise offensive cyber innovation as central to modern warfare. The military is developing its cyber capabilities as part of the £1.9billion investment into the National Cyber Security Strategy.

Recent UK innovations have included the creation of the National Cyber Security Centre which brings together government, intelligence agencies and the private sector into one organisation. The funding will help create new Army cyber operation centres across the country.

Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: “We know all about the dangers. Whether the attacks come from Russia, China or North Korea. Whether they come from hacktivists, criminals or extremists. Whether its malware or fake news. Cyber can bring down our national infrastructure and undermine our democracy.”

“It’s time to pay more than lip service to cyber. We must convince our adversaries their advances simply aren’t worth the cost. Cyber enemies think they can act with impunity.”

“We must show them they can’t. That we are ready to respond at a time and place of our choosing in any domain, not just the virtual world. We need coherent cyber offense as well as defence. So today I can announce we will be investing £22m to create new cyber operations centres.”

The cyber centres will provide the Army with 24/7 information and analysis, dispel misinformation and give the UK Armed Forces a better view of emerging digital threats. The centres are likely to be used to support overseas operations, humanitarian missions, and efforts to protect UK digital communications on home soil.

The centres will work with existing Army capabilities, such as 77 Brigade – a modern and information-focused British Army unit – but will also have regular contact with joint and other national security organisations. Building in support of the centres is due to begin next year, with operations expected to commence in the early 2020s and locations expected to be confirmed in the near future.

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cyber crime Cyber defence cyber security Defence Secretary digital MOD Penny Mordaunt