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Launch of first Cyber Regiment for Armed Forces

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced that a new Cyber Regiment has been launched to protect frontline operations from digital attack.

The 13th Signal Regiment, the UK Armed Forces’ first dedicated Cyber Regiment, was formally stood up on 1 June at a ceremony at Blandford, home of the Royal Signals.

Digital and cyber capabilities are increasingly relied upon to ensure the nation’s security and the safety of our personnel overseas. Secure communications are the foundation for any successful operation and, therefore, the 13th Signal Regiment will provide ‘digital armour’ around personnel operating overseas, giving commanders and their soldiers the ability to operate with confidence in their communications systems, often while working in challenging conditions.

The specialist unit will provide the basis of the new Army Cyber Information Security Operations Centre, focusing on the protection of Defence’s cyber domain, and it will work with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force to provide secure networks for all military communications. 13th Signal Regiment will also provide specialist technical support for a hub to test and implement next generation information capabilities.

Wallace said: “This is a step-change in the modernisation of the UK Armed Forces for information warfare. Cyber attacks are every bit as deadly as those faced on the physical battlefield, so we must prepare to defend ourselves from all those who would do us harm and 13th Signal Regiment is a vital addition to that defence.”

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