Working for NCF
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-30)

How to apply for jobs, workplace benefits and entry level programmes at the National Cyber Force (NCF).

The National Cyber Force (NCF) is a partnership between defence and Intelligence; Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS).

We operate in and through cyberspace to counter, disrupt, degrade and contest those who would do harm to the UK and our Allies, to keep the country safe and to protect and promote the UK’s interests at home and abroad.

As a partnership, NCF derives its greatest strength from its diversity of skills and thought. We combine MOD’s operational and planning expertise, Dstl’s scientific and technical capabilities, GCHQ’s global intelligence and SIS’s skills in recruiting and running agents alongside delivering clandestine operational, intelligence and security experience.

It is vital that our workforce represents the communities we serve. Our people are at the core of NCF.

NCF operates from various locations across the United Kingdom with its headquarters based in Samlesbury, Lancashire.

Apply for a job

To join NCF, you can apply for a role with one of our partners via their websites.

Alternatively, search ‘NCF’ on Civil Service Jobs (https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi) to see all of our current vacancies.

MOD Careers (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence/about/recruitment) (Other than the MOD Cyber Direct Entry scheme, which was open for applications in early 2025, offering an accelerated path into military cyber roles for people not already in the military, NCF only recruits current serving personnel. If you are already serving in the military and would like to explore roles in cyber, please speak to your Career Manager.)
- Royal Navy careers (https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers)
- British Army careers (https://jobs.army.mod.uk/)
- Royal Air Force careers (https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/find-your-role)
MOD Civil Service (https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi)

GCHQ Careers (https://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/our-careers.html)

Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) Careers (https://www.sis.gov.uk/explore-careers.html)

Dstl Careers (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-science-and-technology-laboratory/about/recruitment)

While the existence of NCF is not a secret, its people are, and discretion is vital. You should not discuss your job application, other than with your partner or close family. You should make them aware of the importance of protecting your connection to the NCF. You should not mention your application on social media or discuss it with anyone else. You will receive further guidance during the recruitment process.

Working for NCF

A common misconception about NCF is that we only employ technical people that can code. Coding is a skill that we value but there are many other skills we need. There are a range of exciting and fulfilling career opportunities, from operational planners and intelligence analysts to finance and HR professionals. ​

A career with NCF is like no other. You will have the opportunity to build exceptional skills, work on complex projects and deliver incredible cyber operations that you can’t do anywhere else. You could also be using cutting-edge science and technology to tackle challenges and help make society safer for all.

Cyberspace is constantly evolving, and so are cyber careers. You may want to consider a career in cyber if you enjoy gaming, problem solving, spotting patterns, understanding human behaviour, working with numbers and data, or exploring the latest science and technology. Working in cyber provides you with the chance to use your skills to their full potential and play your part in keeping the United Kingdom and its allies safe.

Working for NCF - case studies (https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/working-for-the-national-cyber-force-ncf-case-studies)

Eligibility and vetting

The work we do is often highly sensitive, so it’s critical that we can trust our people to handle highly classified information with care. For that reason, our vetting process is thorough but fair to ensure applicants meet the required security standards.

Successful candidates for roles within NCF must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of clearance needed to work for NCF is developed vetting (DV).*

*Candidates will also be required to obtain additional screening with vetting authorities to take on a role within the organisation. The vetting authority will depend on the route taken to join the partnership.

People working with UK government assets must also complete Baseline Personal Security Standard (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels) checks.

Benefits

As the NCF is a partnership between Defence and Intelligence, employee benefits are different depending on which organisation you are employed by. For example, if you are employed by GCHQ working for NCF, you will enjoy the benefits that being a GCHQ employee offers.

Find out more about employee benefits across NCF partners:
- Royal Navy careers (https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers)
- British Army careers (https://jobs.army.mod.uk/)
- Royal Air Force careers (https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/find-your-role)
- GCHQ Careers (https://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/our-careers.html)
- Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) Careers (https://www.sis.gov.uk/explore-careers.html)*
- Dstl Careers (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-science-and-technology-laboratory/about/recruitment)
*Other than the MOD Cyber Direct Entry initiative, NCF only recruits current serving personnel from the MOD and SIS. If you are already serving in the MOD or SIS and would like to explore roles in NCF, please speak to your Career Manager or equivalent.

No matter which of the NCF partners you work for, you will have the opportunity to carve out a fulfilling career where you can work with the world-leading technology of tomorrow to tackle some of the UK’s most complex challenges.

Graduates, students and apprentices

Whether you’re in the middle of your GCSEs or exploring your options in further or higher education, there has never been a better time to consider how your passion, skills or experience can be used to help tackle global cyber threats. ​

NCF needs employees with wide ranging skill sets, not only technical skills, but also vital skills such as project management, HR, communications and finance. We are committed to nurturing the interests of young people, particularly in the realms of digital and STEM subjects to help prepare you for a potential, future career.

To find out more about early career opportunities, please visit our partner websites.
- GCHQ Early Careers (https://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/our-careers/early-careers.html)
- Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) (https://www.sis.gov.uk/apply-now.html)
- Dstl Apprenticeships (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/become-an-apprentice-at-dstl) or Dstl Graduates and Students (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/become-a-dstl-graduate-or-student)