The UK’s first cohort of fast-track cyber specialists has graduated from the Defence Cyber Academy, marking a significant step in strengthening national cyber defences amid rapidly evolving
online threats.
More than 30 recruits completed the accelerated training programme at Shrivenham, a key milestone in delivering the ambitions of the Strategic Defence Review. They now join the newly established Defence Cyber & Electromagnetic Force (DCEMF), where they will help counter the 90,000 cyber-attacks targeted at UK defence systems each year.
The graduates will move into operational roles at the Ministry of Defence’s digital headquarters in Corsham, safeguarding critical national infrastructure and responding to a rise in high-impact incidents. So far this year, the UK has recorded 18 cyber incidents deemed “highly significant” — nearly 50% more than in 2024, and the third annual increase in a row.
The new entry route condenses basic training from 10 weeks to around one month, followed by three months of specialist instruction. Graduates are deployed directly into front-line cyber roles, working either to secure defence networks or to conduct active cyber operations. The scheme offers one of the highest starting salaries in the Armed Forces, at more than £40,000.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Defence Minister Louise Sandher-Jones announced that recruitment has now opened for the 2026 Cyber Direct Entry scheme, with more than 30 training places available across the Royal Navy, British Army and RAF. The programme is designed to attract skilled candidates aged 18–39 from a wide range of backgrounds, addressing long-standing recruitment challenges in the cyber domain.
The DCEMF, led by Air Vice-Marshal Tom Ashbridge, brings together military personnel, defence industry partners and specialist cyber teams to protect UK operations in cyberspace — a central commitment of the Strategic Defence Review.
Since its launch in February 2025, the fast-track scheme has drawn applicants from across the country, including IT technicians, software developers and hardware specialists. Many recruits hold degrees or postgraduate qualifications in technical fields, while others bring industry certification and hands-on experience. The cohort’s varied personal interests — from competitive sport to music and 3D printing — reflect the programme’s focus on developing adaptable, well-rounded cyber professionals.
Louise Sandher-Jones MP, Minister for Veterans and People, said:
“Today we’re celebrating the exceptional achievement of our first cyber specialists who have successfully completed this demanding programme. Their dedication and expertise will be vital in protecting Britain from the daily cyber-attacks we face.
This scheme opens doors for talented people who might never have considered a role in the Armed Forces, proving that defending our nation is a whole of society effort. Through our Strategic Defence review we are building the cyber expertise Britain needs, and I’m delighted that expressions of interest for the 2026 intake are now open”.
General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command, said:
“It in an honour to celebrate our first-ever graduates of the Cyber Direct Entry Scheme. This a groundbreaking Cyber and Specialist Command initiative, as this group of graduates have not just completed training, they have been part of a transformation in how the Armed Forces recruit and train people. This programme brings skilled specialists directly into Defence to take on critical frontline cyber roles, helping Defence and the Armed Forces ensure that we have the vital skills we need to protect the UK from cyber threats that target our military systems, critical services, and the society we serve.
Today I am also proud to announce the standing up of the DCEMF under the Command of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC). This marks a significant shift in our warfighting readiness and exemplifies the core principle of our ‘one defence’ approach. The DCEMF will anticipate and combat threats across the Cyber and Electro-Magnetic domain to ensure that our Armed Forces can fight and win. It will enhance our ability to operate in an increasingly contested and congested Domain and protect our UK military networks which come under daily attack. Our graduates today will be a part of that effort, and demonstrates our progress in delivering on commitments made in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR)”.
A Defence Cyber Academy graduate, aged 27 said:
“The entry route we’ve taken here is not the normal route - they’ve adjusted our journey appropriately and been very accommodating in the training they’ve given to us to make sure we are prepared for our roles”.
The Cyber Direct Entry programme forms part of the government’s wider Plan for Change, aimed at bolstering homeland defence and ensuring the UK maintains warfighting readiness in the digital age. Expressions of interest for future intakes can be submitted via the Armed Forces recruitment websites. Photo: Harland Quarrington/MOD, Wikimedia commons.