UK defence chiefs sending ‘hunt forces’ overseas to stop Britain’s military being crippled by cyberattacks

Britain has deployed military cyber specialists overseas to disrupt hacking operations before they can target UK defence systems. The missions mark a shift towards defending the country beyond its own networks, as officials warn that cyber threats are growing faster and could cause serious disruption.

Major General Mike Fayers said the teams include soldiers, sailors and airmen, operate only with host countries’ agreement and require the Defence Secretary’s approval. The Ministry of Defence reported 90,000 attacks from state-linked sources over two years, twice the number recorded in the preceding two years; recent attacks on European blood supplies and food retailers have also raised concerns.