National Cyber Force shares update on operations

The National Cyber Force (NCF) has shared how some of its daily cyber operations disrupt terrorists, counter state threats and support military operations.

The NCF is a partnership between GCHQ and the Ministry of Defence, which was established in 2020 and carries out cyber operations to protect against threats to the UK, further the UK’s foreign policy, support military operations, and prevent serious crime.

The publication of a new document titled ‘NCF: Responsible Cyber Power in Practice’ intends to deliver on the commitment in the Integrated Review Refresh to be as transparent as possible about the NCF’s cyber capabilities and provide clarity on how the UK acts as a responsible and democratic cyber power.

Part of the NCF's approach is the ‘doctrine of cognitive effect’, which uses techniques that have the potential to sow distrust, decrease morale, and weaken adversaries’ abilities to plan and conduct their activities effectively. This may include preventing terrorist groups from publishing pieces of extremist media online.

Over the last three years the NCF has delivered operations to protect military deployments overseas; disrupt terrorist groups; counter sophisticated, stealthy and continuous cyber threats; counter state disinformation campaigns; reduce the threat of external interference in democratic elections; and remove child sexual abuse material from public spaces online.

Director GCHQ, Sir Jeremy Fleming, said: "In an increasingly volatile and interconnected world, to be a truly responsible cyber power, nations must be able to contest and compete with adversaries in cyberspace. In the UK, the National Cyber Force complements the UK’s world class cyber resilience to give the country operational cyber capabilities at the scale needed to protect our free, open, and peaceful society.

"Building upon two decades of experience, the dynamic new partnership has countered state threats, made key contributions to military operations, and disrupted terrorist cells and serious criminals including child sex offenders.

"With the threat growing and the stakes higher than ever before, we hope this document provides a benchmark for the UK’s approach and a basis for like-minded governments to come together internationally to establish a shared vision and values for the responsible use of cyber operations."

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay