Reserves Day - Our Joint Cyber Reserve Force

21st June 2023

Reservists are an important part of Strategic Command, bringing outside skills and experience to benefit Defence.

Reservists balance their civilian life with a military career, giving up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces.

This Reserves Day we are highlighting the work of the Joint Cyber Reserve Force.

In 2013, Defence set out a programme to match the ambition of the Government to create an innovative way to secure information advantage through a bold and, at the time, unique project. The aim was to leverage high-end cyber talent to enhance Defence Cyber Capability.

‘People think of military as land, sea and air'. We long ago recognised a fourth - space. Now there is a fifth - cyber. Cyber is the new frontier of defence.' - Rt Hon Phillip Hammond MP, Secretary of State for Defence 2013.

The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010 recognised that the cyber threat was likely to grow exponentially in scale and sophistication in the next decade. Jump to the present and the Joint Cyber Reserve Force is marking its 10-Year Anniversary, which included a seminar at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom - home to the Defence Cyber Academy.

At the 10th Anniversary Seminar, which took place between 16-18 June 2023, members of the Cyber Reserve Force spoke about their experiences in the force.

One member was Sergeant ‘Olly', from the Army Reserves, who said, "I take immense pride in being a member of a military unit that stands as a testament to its uniqueness, gathering a diverse group of individuals with a wide array of skills and attributes.

It is within this collective that I find invaluable opportunities for personal growth and learning. As the saying goes, ‘Iron sharpens iron,’ and I consider it an honour to contribute to something greater than myself.