What does this week's Integrated Review mean for the UK’s cyber capability?

The UK's International Policy Review was published yesterday. The Prime Minister says the Integrated Review will commit to a new, full spectrum approach to the UK’s cyber capability – keeping people safe, staying ahead of enemies and improving the lives of the British people.

Here's what's included in the Integrated Review:

• The PM will announce the establishment of a ‘cyber corridor’ across the North of England, creating and sustaining thousands of jobs
• The National Cyber Force is transforming the UK’s ability to conduct targeted offensive cyber operations to impose real-world costs on our adversaries

James Murphy, CEO TechVets:

This is positive news for the UK and a decision which I am keen to see unfold. With modern conflict moving away from conventional forces and capabilities, and so many states adopting aggressive development of cyber capabilities - it is only right that the UK continues to evolve too. However, cyber threats pervade all of UK society and I await to see whether technical and cyber security skills are implemented in the education curriculum so that we are able to start building for the future more efficiently rather than waiting for the next skills gap to appear. As a nation, we must ensure that we have suitably skilled professionals defending our systems and networks. 

What does this mean for the UK's Armed Forces?

The National Cyber Force was created last year to transform the UK’s capacity to conduct targeted offensive cyber operations against terrorists, hostile states and criminal gangs. It draws together personnel from both defence and the intelligence agencies under one unified command for the first time.

James Murphy, CEO TechVets:

"The Integrated Review is a great opportunity for even more of the UK's Armed Forces personnel to be on the country's cyber frontline and to use their incredible military experience to enhance our capabilities. However, there needs to be caution all round. The Government must effectively use industry throughout to harness the experience, lessons learned and leading technologies to support this capability development." 

The kinds of operations the NCF is able to carry out include:

• Interfering with a mobile phone to prevent a terrorist being able to communicate with their contacts
• Helping to prevent cyberspace from being used as a global platform for serious crimes, including the sexual abuse of children
• Keeping UK military aircraft safe from targeting by weapons systems

Recognising the importance of cyber to defence, in addition to the NCF last year the MoD created the 13th Signals Regiment, the first dedicated cyber regiment, and expanded the Defence Cyber School. These enhanced cyber capabilities bolster our defence and will play a vital part in operations including HMS Queen Elizabeth’s first global deployment this year. MoD cyber experts comprise almost half of the NCF’s cyber operators.

In addition to national security and defence applications, cyber technology can also be used to improve people’s lives through smart technology and helping people use the internet safely. In the last year, GCHQ has partnered with tech start-ups to help them develop and use AI to help train companies ensure more space for passengers during the COVID pandemic, alert haulage companies to stowaways in their containers and prevent the spread of misinformation online.

How will a 'cyber corridor' benefit the north of England?

The Prime Minister will announce that the home of the new National Cyber Force and the nexus of this strategy will be in the North of England, establishing a ‘cyber corridor’ across the region.

James Murphy, CEO TechVets:

"It is great to see that the location is in the North, home already to a GCHQ office in Manchester, which is Europe’s fastest growing major tech cluster, with more than 15% of Manchester’s population employed by the digital, creative and technology sector. The Prime Minister's announcement will continue to increase employment opportunities for those seeking a career in cyber security. This won't stop at cyber however, and there will likely be plenty more opportunities for those in supporting roles such as project management, tech support, infrastructure, HR and operations - a great prospect as we continue to feel the economic impact from the pandemic. This will also enable the UK to continue to tap into the UK wide talent pool which helps us ensure we build more diverse teams."

Opening the HQ of the NCF in the North of England will drive growth in the tech, digital and defence sectors outside of London and help create new partnerships between government, the sector and universities in the region, placing it in the international centre of cutting-edge developments to keep our people safe.

Defence currently sustains more than 35,000 jobs in the North West of England alone. Digital and cyber jobs will build on the region’s history of being on the cutting edge of defence technology – 10,000 people are employed in maritime design in Barrow and 12,000 people work in advanced aerospace engineering and manufacturing at Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone, where the UK is producing the fifth generation F-35 stealth aircraft.

Read the full UK Gov statement and find out more about TechVets here.