British MoD vacancy posting blows the lid on irregular hacker branch with links to unique and specialised military unit
The UK Ministry of Defence disclosed the existence of its shadowy hacker outfit in a job ad that sought an âextraordinary talented electronics engineerâ to deliver âprototype solutionsâ to a âunique and specialised military unit.â
In the since-removed vacancy listing, posted on its recruitment site, the defence ministry (MoD) was looking to recruit an âintrepid problem solverâ as a Computer Network Operations (CNO) Exploit engineer for MAB5 â" an âirregular and unrecognisableâ unit that is involved in âcommunications, electronics and technical surveillance.â
Noting that solutions are ârequired in weeks,â the advert states that the exploit engineer will need to have the âskills of a hackerâ and an âinquisitive and probing mindset.â
A âmulti-facetedâ skillset is apparently crucial as well since the ideal candidate is also expected to be a âconsultant,â âinventor,â âdesigner,â âfabricator,â âreport writerâ and âanalystâ (among other technical roles) all rolled into one.
According to the ad, around 80% of the workforce in MAB5âs âun-military-like flat structureâ are civil servants and the MoDâs âmost talented scientists and engineers.â However, the unit is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel rank officer â" with the email address and phone number of a Lt. Col. Simon Perrett published as the point of contact for applicants.
Also on rt.com UK spy agencies are looking for the next Alan Turing and âQâ in recruitment drives with a focus on tackling cyber threatsThe £33,000-per-year position was first reported-on by UK military observer site âSecret Bases,â which noted that the vacancyâs Hereford location and pincode pointed to the Pontrilas Army Training Area (PATA) that is apparently âused exclusivelyâ by the Special Air Service (SAS).
The site also added that the MAB acronym is apparently âsimply a coy reference to âMoD A Block,â which in turn is a codename for use by those âin the knowâ when wishing to refer to UK Special Forces (UKSF) operations.â It stated that the âactual physical MoD A Block is at the SAS Regents Park Barracks in Albany Street, Central London and is UKSF HQ.â
In another link to the special force unit, the site notes that Lt. Col. Perrettâs listed phone number is for the SAS Barracks at the Stirling Lines army garrison in Credenhill, Herefordshire. As well, the officer is apparently from the Royal Corps of Signals and was awarded an MBE in 2013.
The engineers come up with ârapid technical delivery solutions, advice and guidanceâ to help âspecialist usersâ gain an âoperational advantageâ over unidentified adversaries â" said to be âincreasingly âwiderangingâ and technically advanced.â
The job requires high-level âdeveloped vettingâ security clearance since the unit works alongside the spy agency GCHQ and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), among others. It is open only to UK nationals with electronics engineering qualifications at a OFQUAL 6 level, or an undergraduate degree in engineering or science.
Also on rt.com UK government credits NCSC with âresolvingâ WannaCry ransomware attack to refute flak over intelligence bodyâs posh Westminster HQAmong the technical skills that will be assessed during the selection process are identifying âthreats to government computer networksâ and developing counter-measures to âensure we are safe,â and listing the advice and options to improve âprofessional, official and family securityâ for high-ranking government officials who have been targeted for âtechnical exploitation.â
While it did not mention whether previous hacking experience was necessary, the posting did say that candidates had to write a 1,000-word âStatement of Suitabilityâ essay as part of their application that goes into any âexperience relevant to the role.â
The vacancy has been removed from the website â" possibly since the application window closed on August 11, but a cached copy is available online as of writing.
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