He added: “With more than 90,000 cyberattacks on UK military networks over the last two years, it is essential that we step up our cyber defence, fast-tracking the brightest and the best cyber specialists to help protect the UK and our allies.”.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Fast-tracking cyber warriors into our military will help ensure our armed forces are better equipped to face our adversaries in the 21st century and defend the country from the changing threats we face.
In December, the head of the National Cyber Security Centre, Richard Horne, said the threat was “getting broader and in some parts deeper”, while MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum has warned that cyberspace is becoming “ever more important” to Russia as it seeks to test western defences.
Specialist recruits will see their basic training cut from 10 weeks to a month and be offered starting salaries of £40,000, one of the highest in the armed forces, as the UK looks to boost its cyber defences.
The new specialists will be tasked with either securing military networks and services at the armed forces’ digital headquarters in Corsham, Wiltshire, or as part of the National Cyber Force.
