UK Deploys Special Cyber Forces Overseas to Shield Military Networks From Hacking Attacks

Britain has started sending specialist cyber teams abroad to stop hackers targeting its defence networks, the head of the UK’s Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force has revealed, as AI speeds up attacks and fridges across Europe get hacked.

UK Sends Cyber Hunters Abroad to Guard Military Systems

The United Kingdom has begun sending special forces overseas to stop hacking attacks aimed at its military network infrastructure. This was confirmed by Air Vice-Marshal Tom Ashbridge, who commands the UK’s Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEMF).

Speaking to The Times, Ashbridge explained that Britain is increasingly sending so-called “hunt forces” into Europe and Asia. With permission from host nations, specially trained soldiers, sailors and airmen position themselves near a building or an infected server room. Their job is to spot the threat first. Then they neutralize the enemy virtually.

Chasing Hackers Before They Strike

“We’re trying to track down our adversaries in the places where they’re preparing to attack British military systems,” Ashbridge said. ”I mean physically sending people to locations so they can virtually hunt down the adversary.”

The British military chief also pointed out that artificial intelligence has massively sped up cyberattacks. He said defenders once had several days to neutralize a threat. Now, that response window has shrunk to just minutes.

Fridges Hacked Across Europe

Cyberattacks on refrigeration equipment have recently struck several European countries. Hackers seized control of cooling systems and triggered defrost settings. In some cases, they heated storage units above 50 degrees Celsius, spoiling the food inside. These incidents hit Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Italy and Portugal.