UK military deploys cyber hunt forces to track adversaries overseas

The United Kingdom military is deploying specialized cybersecurity hunt forces overseas to physically track and disrupt cyber criminals targeting British military systems, according to IT Pro.

The Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force was established last year and has more than 700 personnel. Maj. Gen. Mike Fayers, the commander, said military teams are being dispatched to countries across Europe and Asia to identify threats before they escalate. These deployments occur only with the host nation's agreement and target both state actors and independent criminals.

The shift toward proactive defense is driven by the rapid speed of AI-enabled attacks, which now require responses within minutes rather than days. These teams possess expertise in defensive cybersecurity and electromagnetic warfare to protect military communications. This strategy is essential, as cyber threats are often prepared over months through reconnaissance and hidden malware, experts said.

The initiative highlights the evolving nature of modern warfare, where digital threats frequently target critical infrastructure. Officials warn that malicious code may already reside within sensitive systems, necessitating increased vigilance across both the public and private sectors to prevent significant disruption to essential services and national security.

Source: IT Pro

Written by

Kelley Damore Chief Content Officer CyberRisk Alliance

Kelley Damore is Chief Content Officer at CyberRisk Alliance, where she leads content strategy across the company’s digital brands, research, communities and live events serving CISOs and security practitioners. At CyberRisk Alliance, she is focused on delivering 365-day engagement, trusted journalism and actionable insights to help security leaders navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape.