About us
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-01)

We are “always on” – ready to fight globally across all domains to make the UK secure at home and strong abroad. Detecting threats early and responding with specialist capabilities to out-think, out-pace and out-fight our adversaries.

Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) generates and operates specialist capabilities, ready to fight across all domains to make the UK secure at home and strong abroad.

Always on, we are across every UK operation, delivering the capabilities you don’t usually see—or those you can’t.

From cyber warriors and medics to intelligence analysts, special forces, educators, and Defence attachés, our collective expertise delivers the warfighting edge Defence needs to deter threats and secure the nation today, and prepare for tomorrow.

CSOC builds on the strong foundations of Strategic Command, reshaped to unite Defence’s cyber and specialist capabilities under a single, military command alongside the Royal Navy, British Army and the Royal Air Force - acting as the UK’s fourth Military Command.

Responsibilities

CSOC’s mission is clear: to generate and operate specialist capabilities, ready to fight across all domains to make the UK secure at home and strong abroad.

We are responsible for:

1 - Delivering specialist operations, including medical support: We command and conduct integrated operations to protect the UK and in support of NATO, ensuring warfighting readiness while keeping our forces healthy, fit to fight and ready to respond globally.

2 - Constantly combatting Cyber and Electromagnetic Threats: We command and deliver advanced cyber and electromagnetic capabilities for military effect, defending our networks and disrupting adversaries from daily cyberattacks.

3 - Arming Defence with data, information and intelligence: We lead intelligence, and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), to enable effective decision-making, protect the force, and drive targeting across Defence. We harness a data-centric approach and artificial intelligence to deliver seamless, secure and assured information.

4 - Advancing the UK’s influence through defence diplomacy: We forge enduring relationships through the Integrated Global Defence Network, enhancing coordination, operational effectiveness and the UK’s ability to deter threats and respond to global security challenges.

5 - Educating and innovating to prepare Defence for future challenges: We support, educate and enable our next generation of leaders and operators.

Who we are?

CSOC is a dedicated force of over 26,000 specialist personnel stationed across 130 global sites, from our headquarters in Northwood (in North-West London) to locations in the Falklands and the Indian Ocean. We’re a whole-force organisation, including military personnel, civil servants, contractors, academics, and international embeds, our specialist expertise drives our mission.

Led by General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander Cyber & Specialist Operations Command, CSOC operates at the forefront of modern warfare. We deliver critical effects to national security and NATO, combining conventional and digital capabilities. We also contribute to national resilience by strengthening partnerships across government, industry, and society.

The conflict in Ukraine has shown the importance of close collaboration—not just within Defence and with allies, but with industry. As we drive towards readiness, we’re embedding lessons from the frontline, harnessing drones, data, and digital warfare. Our partnership with industry is a strategic engine for growth, supporting jobs, prosperity, and resilience.

Across all our work—from precision targeting to constantly combatting cyber and electromagnetic threats—CSOC acts with insight, speed, and impact. We are, and will continue to be, indispensable to UK Defence.

We oversee the Command of the following sub-organisations:

Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/the-permanent-joint-headquarters), including the deployable Standing Joint Force HQ, commands and executes joint military operations and provides policy-aware military advice to the MOD.

Directorate of Special Forces (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/directorate-of-special-forces) conducts short notice high risk operations in support of UK interests.

Defence Intelligence (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-intelligence) provides strategic defence intelligence to MOD and the armed forces.

Defence Medical Services (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-medical-services), including the Joint Medical Group, provides end to end medical services to the MOD.

Defence Academy (https://www.da.mod.uk/) delivers world-class professional defence and security education to representatives of the British armed forces, wider UK government, UK industry and personnel from overseas.

National Cyber Force (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-cyber-force) is responsible for operating in and through cyberspace to counter, disrupt, degrade and contest those who would do harm to the UK or its allies.

Integrated Global Defence Network (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permanent-joint-operating-bases-pjobs/permanent-joint-operating-bases-pjobs) is responsible for the UK’s Overseas Bases Support Units, the Global Support Organisation, and the UK’s contribution to Arms Control and Verification on behalf of the Ministry of Defence

The Integrated Warfare Centre (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/integrated-warfare-centre) is CSOC’s Warfare Centre, it is focused on Joint Conceptual Development (CONDEV) and Warfare Development (WARDEV) to equip military leaders with the knowledge, skills and adaptability needed to prevail against adversaries in complex and contested environments.

Related Information

Northwood Headquarters (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/northwood-headquarters)

History of the Northwood Site (https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121212174735/http:/www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/DoctrineOperationsandDiplomacy/PJHQ/History.htm) on UK Government Web Archive