Cyber Soldiers: UK Announces Creation Of The 77th Battalion

The documents leaked by Edward Snowden demonstrate that the NSA and its allies are now preparing for future dominance in cyberspace.

Cyberspace is a strategic domain for modern warfare, for this reason, the British Government has decided to create a new cyber unit composed of cyber experts, so-called "Facebook Warriors", which will "wage complex and covert information and subversion campaigns".

According to the Financial Times, the new cyber unit will be named the 77th battalion due to a historical significance.

"The original Chindits [77th battalion] were a guerrilla unit led by the swashbuckling British commander Major General Orde Wingate, one of the pioneers of modern unconventional warfare. They operated deep behind Japanese lines in Burma between 1942 and 1945 and their missions were often of questionable success." reported the Financial Times.

The group will use social networks like Facebook and Twitter to monitor their opponents, the information they produce and to run PSYOPs.

The British army will assign more than 1,500 specialists to the new troop that will use popular social networks to spread disinformation, run intelligence operations and disclose real war truths.

The 77th battalion will reportedly begin its activity in April 2015. The decision of the British Government to create the 77th battalion cyber unit follows a similar initiative of other governments that are using social networks to run cyber espionage campaigns, spread disinformation or influence the human sentiment about specific topics.

As reported by the Guardian, both the Israeli and US army have already dedicated internal staff to psychological operations run through social networks. An Israel Defense Force spokesperson revealed that the IDF used 30 different social media sites in several different languages during Operation Cast Lead in an effort to "engage with an audience we otherwise wouldn't reach."

Security Affairs: 

 

« Dramatic Improvement in Intelligence Sharing Because of ISIS
Android malware fakes phone shutdown then steals data »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

Resecurity

Resecurity

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

Onapsis

Onapsis

Onapsis is a pioneer in cybersecurity and compliance solutions for cloud and on-premise ERP and business-critical applications.

Carson & SAINT

Carson & SAINT

Carson & SAINT is an award-winning consulting firm with deep experience in cybersecurity technology, software, and management consulting.

TechVets

TechVets

TechVets is a non-for-profit helping UK veterans and service leavers retrain into Cyber Security and Technology jobs.

CloudMask

CloudMask

CloudMask patent technology provides Dynamic Data Masking (DDM) that masks sensitive data, structured or non-structured, in real-time.

PSYND

PSYND

PSYND is a Swiss consultancy company based in Geneva specialized in CyberSecurity and Identity & Access Management.

Mayhem

Mayhem

Mayhem, by ForAllSecure, is a developer-first application and API security testing solution.

Fudo Security

Fudo Security

Fudo Security is a leading provider of privileged access management and privileged session monitoring solutions.

AnyTech365

AnyTech365

AnyTech365 is a leading European IT Security and Support company helping end users and small businesses have a worry-free experience with all things tech.

Softwerx

Softwerx

Softwerx is the UK’s leading Microsoft cloud security practice. We’ve been helping forward-thinking companies better secure their businesses for nearly twenty years.

LaScala

LaScala

LaScala is an IT Managed Services provider delivering technical, security, and compliance solutions with dedication, compassion, and agility.

Borwell

Borwell

Borwell delivers software and IT solutions to the UK MoD and to UK Government departments, which are secure by design.

Nortal

Nortal

Nortal is a strategic digital transformation partner for leading companies and governments around the world.

Roberts & Obradovic Law

Roberts & Obradovic Law

Roberts & Obradovic Law Group is a corporate, privacy, employment and litigation law firm.

Cyber Intell Solution (CIS)

Cyber Intell Solution (CIS)

Cyber Intell Solution provide expert consulting, specialized products, and tailored operational services to governmental and corporate industry worldwide.

Lithuanian Cyber Command (LTCYBERCOM)

Lithuanian Cyber Command (LTCYBERCOM)

The Lithuanian Cyber Command is responsible for planning and execution of operations in cyberspace and installation of strategic and operational communications and information systems.