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A Joint Cyber Reserve Force

The Joint Cyber Reserve Force (CRF) is part of the Joint Forces Cyber Group which was created in May 2013 to deliver defence cyber capability. The CRF provides support to the Joint Cyber Unit (Corsham), the Joint Cyber Unit (Cheltenham), and tri-service information assurance (IA) units.

The cyber reserve is a joint unit, offering selected individuals the opportunity to be part of the proud history and ethos of the Maritime Reserves, the Army Reserve or the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. To date it has proven to be very successful, as such recruitment remains extremely competitive due to the limited amount of posts available and the high calibre of potential candidates required.

We continue to seek exceptional cyber specialists from 3 areas:

  • regular personnel leaving the service
  • current and former reservists
  • individuals with no previous military service

The creation of the Joint Cyber Reserve makes an essential contribution to national security, selecting candidates based primarily on their existing technical knowledge, skills, experience and aptitude for part time volunteer reserve paid posts in Joint Forces Cyber Group sub units.

How it works

The primary requirements in applying to become a cyber reservist are that an individual must:

  • possess verifiable exceptional cyber skills (*)
  • be aged 18 or over
  • be a UK or Commonwealth Citizen
  • have lived in the UK for the last 10 years
  • be able to commit to the minimum attendance/work days depending on which service you join
  • be willing to undergo and pass a security clearance process
  • use your spare time and weekends in order to support defence’s cyber security mission

All joint cyber reservists must commit to training for a minimum period each year of between 19 to 27 days, made up of:

  • a number of weekend duties spread throughout the year for collaborative working
  • short periods during the working week on tasks including working remotely

Once confirmed in a post, a reservist is liable to be mobilised (“called up for duty”) for a period of full time service if there is a requirement to support cyber operations for an extended period.

For the reservist

Cyber security represents a ground breaking area. Serving in the Joint Cyber Reserve will be an exciting and interesting experience with every individual making a real difference.

You have the opportunity to enhance or share your specialist skills, knowledge and experience in a challenging, fluid cyber environment where your practical skills will be valued.

Most of the cyber units are geographically fixed, some undertake mobile operations and thus offer the opportunity to carry out cyber related tasks at a variety of locations.

For employers

Your staff will develop their professional knowledge and experience, but also have the opportunity to grow in terms of self-confidence, decision making, communications skills, analytical skills and the ability to work in a dynamic, fluid and challenging environment.

(*) The types of skills we are looking for are:

General

  • advanced computer literacy or core engineering competency
  • computer security principles, information security standards, practices and procedures (such as ISO 27001)
  • operating systems: MS Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OS
  • Windows server system administration
  • application development
  • database administration
  • forensics (such as packet analysis)

Networks

  • network management tools
  • network intrusion detection principles
  • firewall configuration, maintenance and exploitation
  • wireless network
  • malware awareness, intrusion detection, awareness of exploitation of security holes and associated techniques, computer based network attack scenarios
  • penetration testing
  • network service support
  • load balancing
  • OSI model
  • ethernet, TCP/IP and routing protocols (RIP, BGP, OSPF and EIGRP)
  • Cisco routing and switching, at CCNA/CCNP level
  • Microsoft certification (MCSE, MCP)
  • proxy server management
  • network architecture and information administration
  • computer network security and vulnerability analysis
  • virtual private networking

Languages

  • programming and scripting languages (preferably perl, python and java)
  • recognition of C++ code constructs in assembly
  • administration on various operating systems and MS SQL

Desirable qualifications (this is not an exhaustive list)

  • relevant SANS or other commercial advanced cyber/IT courses (such as CEH)
  • Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
  • Certified Information Security Systems Professional (CISSP)
  • cyber/IT/IS educational qualifications
  • CESG IA qualification
  • CREST qualification
  • Tiger scheme
  • certified as IA auditor, SIRA practitioner, senior penetration tester, Comsec practitioner, ISO 27001 lead auditor, CHECK team member or an equivalent qualification
  • certified engineer
  • senior forensics practitioner or equivalent qualification (qualified to use forensic tools such as Encase, FTK, XRY, Cellebrite, etc.)
  • CISM
  • Prince2, ITIL, APMP

Previous experience

  • DEFMON/DIMON (defensive monitoring/defensive internet monitoring)
  • TSCM (technical surveillance countermeasures)
  • TEMPEST

Memberships

  • WCIT, IET, BCS or other appropriate professional bodies

Ministry of Defence Privacy Notice

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Further information

To register an expression of interest (EOI) in joining the cyber reserve or for more information, please email the SO2 recruiting, JCU(R) at: JFCYG-RES-GroupMailBox@mod.gov.uk. To make it clear that you have visited this portal please include in the subject line ‘EOI’ followed by your family name.

If after 5 working days you have not received an acknowledgement confirming receipt of your expression of interest sent via the email link above, please contact JFCyG Reserves on 01452 712612 Ext 5930.