The defence secretary has announced that the government’s new National Cyber Force (NCF) will be located in Samlesbury in the Northwest.

The NCF, which will be the new home of offensive cyber operations, was announced by the Prime Minister as part of the Integrated Review in November 2020.

Offensive cyber operations are those which can disrupt hostile state activities, terrorists and criminals threatening the UK’s national security – from countering terror plots to conducting military operations.

The organisation draws together personnel from intelligence, cyber and security agency GCHQ, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), under one unified command for the first time.

“The National Cyber Force located in Samlesbury will embrace exciting new offensive cyber technologies and provide thousands of highly skilled jobs and expertise to the North West,” said defence secretary Ben Wallace. “I am hugely proud and enthusiastic to see this happen, not only will it provide a catalyst for investment, but also see our levelling up agenda bring economic stimulus and tangible benefits to this region.”

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