UK is building a hacking army

Finally, the future is here. The UK is set to recruit a new generation of cyber soldiers, digital warriors and hacking heroes, in an effort to counter current and future security problems in the digital sphere of combat. No longer will the British isles lag behind countries like the US and China when it comes to digital warfare, we'll be at the forefront.

This is the message being put forward by the Ministry of Defence and UK defence secretary Philip Hammond today, who has pledged some £500 million towards drafting this new army of hackers, in an effort to provide defensive and offensive capabilities to the UK in the digital world.

“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,” Hammond said in a statement posted by the MOD. “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.”

The man sure does love his “capabilities.”

The military controlled unit, will be known as the “Cyber Reserves,” and joining up is described as an “exciting opportunity for internet experts in industry to put their skills to good use for the nation.”

As long as we get these guys, we're golden.

If you want to join up, recruitment will be begin in October, with a focus on three sectors: personnel currently looking to leave the armed forces, current and former reservists with particular skillsets and – don't worry – people with no previous military experience that also have the necessary skills to contribute.

For more information on what signing up will involve, head over the Joint Forces Command page.

KitGuru Says: This is probably a pretty good idea. The digital world is becoming increasingly fraught for the average user and double so for governments and nations. It only makes sense to recruit a new generation of digital warriors to go alongside those that keep their boots on the ground. 

Any of you considering signing up? [Thanks Wired]

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