The UK Armed Forces are to launch a recruitment drive for cyber security specialists, aiming to have them in operational roles by the end of this year.
Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard announced the move in Parliament, saying it comes in response daily attacks on military systems.
“Fast tracking cyber warriors into our military will help bolster our capabilities in response to these growing threats and address a global shortage of cyber talent,” he said.
The initiative involves a new entry route to the military, with basic training reduced from 10 weeks to around one month, after which the recruits will receive three months of specialist training at the Defence Cyber Academy in Shrivenham.
It is expected that they will be in operational roles by the end of 2025, either defending security networks and services at digital headquarters in Corsham or conducting cyber operations against threat actors as part of the National Cyber Force.
“The scheme is open to any aspiring cyber professionals and those with existing digital skills and will play a crucial role in maintaining a competitive edge in our national cyber defence capabilities,” Pollard said.
The Ministry of Defence has not publicly stated how many specialists it is aiming to recruit.
