‘Always On’ - CSOC at DSEI 2025
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-16)

From 9 to 12 September 2025, the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition hosted over 1,600 organisations from around the world at the ExCel Centre in London.

With the theme for this year’s event ‘Preparing the Future Force’, the Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) showcased the UK’s evolving approach to defence in an increasingly unpredictable security landscape.

Focusing on enhancing agility and resilience across all domains, CSOC highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships with allies and partners to tackle complex security challenges. Throughout the exhibition, CSOC experts engaged in discussions covering critical topics such as the importance of the cyber and electromagnetic domain, the Digital Targeting Web, advancements in medical capabilities, and training and educating the future force.

General Jim’s keynote address emphasised CSOC’s pivotal role in delivering the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s vision to tackle the changing cybersecurity landscape. The urgent need to accelerate innovation through partnerships to stay ahead of adaptive adversaries as threats become more sophisticated marks a fundamental shift towards more integrated and technologically advanced capabilities.

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CSOC’s presence at DSEI focused on the UK’s response to the escalating cybersecurity threats, leading to the establishment of the new Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEMF). This force will bolster digital defence capabilities and will bring together military expertise, cyber defence teams and industry partners to anticipate threats and protect UK military networks from relentless attacks.

CSOC also focused on the Digital Targeting Web, a transformational £1 billion defence programme scheduled for delivery by 2030, which will enable Defence to sense, understand, decide, and act faster than adversaries. Fusing intelligence and targeting data through AI and machine learning software, it will accelerate decision-making and deliver precision effects at scale, bringing together fragmented systems, data platforms and networks under one web.

Throughout DSEI, CSOC welcomed leaders from across defence, international partners, academia, and the public, emphasising the significance of these collaborative partnerships that form the foundation of UK Defence strength. CSOC also featured Next Generation Day activities, focusing on nurturing future leaders through youth talent initiatives, reflecting CSOC’s commitment to developing and attracting the next generation of specialists.

As DSEI 2025 concluded, CSOC’s participation re-affirmed the UK’s dedication to keeping Britain safe at home and strong abroad in an increasingly contested global security environment. The event not only showcased current capabilities but provided a glimpse into the future of UK defence, highlighting the critical role of the cyber and electromagnetic domain.

For more information:

General Sir Jim Hockenhull’s DSEI 2025 Keynote Speech - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/general-sir-jim-hockenhulls-dsei-2025-keynote-speech)

First Digital and STEM Bursary students graduate - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-digital-and-stem-bursary-students-graduate)

Fast-track armed forces recruitment launched to boost UK cyber defence - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fast-track-armed-forces-recruitment-launched-to-boost-uk-cyber-defence)