MoD Creates Command Unit To Counter Cyber Threats

Reforms at the Ministry of Defence week will also include the creation of a new joint force command unit, that will integrate the MoD’s cyber warfare and military intelligence units.

The reforms were announced by defence secretary Liam Fox in Parliament on Monday. The main thrust of the MoD reforms is a “radical” re-organisation at the ministry in an effort to end over-bureaucratic systems have previously resulted in costly and delayed procurement projects for the armed forces.

The reforms come following the recommendations of a report by Lord Levene – the chairman of Lloyd’s of London – into how to make the MoD more efficient, cut red tape and reduce inter-service rivalry.

Joint Command

However buried in the MoD reforms was the announcement by Dr Fox and reported by the BBC that the government plans to set up a joint force command that will oversee and integrate areas such as cyber warfare and military intelligence.

“The (Lord Levene) report has recommended that we created a new joint forces command, it will manage and deliver specifically joint enabling capabilities and set the framework for other joint enablers within the single services. It would include the permanent joint headquarters and be led by a new four star commander. Joint force command will therefore be an important organisation in its own right,” Dr Fox told Parliament.

Dr Fox’s reform have been backed by Labour, although it is concerned by the reduction in troop numbers. And it is also reported that Dr Fox is keen to attract cyber security specialists to help bolster Britain’s cyber defence and indeed its attack options.

Cyber Attacks

Earlier this month Dr Fox warned that Britain is under constant attack from hackers, and that last year 1,000 potentially serious offensives were blocked.

In May the British government also acknowledged it has begun work on a “toolbox” of offensive cyber-weapons to complement its existing defensive capabilities.

This followed the comments from Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey last November, when he said that the UK must have the ability to launch its own attack against those carrying out cyberwarfare against this country and its infrastructure.

The ongoing cyber warefare threat has also led to the European Union recently creating its own taskforce to counter the growing threat of cyber attacks.