Digital Skills: Preparing Defence for the Future
On Tuesday 5 March 2024, Strategic Command hosted a digital skills event at its Northwood Headquarters.
Minister for Defence People and Families, the Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison
We live in a digital age of warfare, where the ability to rapidly exploit new technology, analyse large volumes of data, conduct electronic warfare, and defend our digital networks, can be the difference between winning and losing. Ukraine has evidenced how technology, digital, and information warfare have helped to hold back a larger aggressor.
Strategic Command is responsible for both developing and defending Defence’s vital digital networks. Having a workforce with strong digital and cyber skills is central to achieving this.
The digital skills event at Northwood Headquarters brought together personnel from across the Armed Forces and Civil Service.
Experiencing an RAF flight simulator
Attendees honed their digital skills through a series of interactive activities, such as defending digital networks, navigating the seas on the Royal Navy boat simulator, and taking command of a fighter jet through the RAF’s flight simulator.
Trying the boat simulator
The event was opened by the Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison, Minister for Defence People and Families, who highlighted that the UK’s strategic advantage is derived foremost from our first-class people, and how digital skills are vital for everyone in Defence, not just specialists.
The Minister was joined by senior leaders from across Defence including the Chief of Defence People, Vice Admiral Phil Hally, and the Director of Functional Integration, Claire Fry, who put their skills to test on the digital battlefield.
Director of Functional Integration, Claire Fry
Ever-closer collaboration with industry is also vital as we address the digital skills challenge. Last year, Microsoft UK pledged their support to digital upskilling in the Ministry of Defence by delivering training and skills development to thousands of military and civilian personnel across the UK.
Military personnel exploring esports
As Strategic Command continues to lead the digital transformation of UK Defence, while also operating 24/7 against our adversaries in the cyber domain, events like this are increasingly important to ensure our personnel are equipped with the digital skills they need now and into the future.
Lieutenant General Tom Copinger-Symes with Minister for Defence People and Families