GCHQ Chief Hacker Leaves to Join NCA in Fighting UK Cyber ​​Forces

Mr. Babbage will step down from his post as Commander of the National Cyber ​​Force and move to a mid-level position within the NCA. Photo: National Cyber ​​Force < p>One of Britain's most senior hackers left the GCHQ spy agency to join the National Crime Agency (NCA) to strike at the UK's international cyber capabilities.

James Babbage, commander of the National Cyber ​​Force (NCF), joins the NCA as head of the intelligence unit.

The unexpected departure of the 30-year-old GCHQ veteran, just two months after he was publicly identified as head of the secret hacker unit, will regarded as a blow.

The NCF performs important operational missions alongside the military, offering cyber-offensive capabilities. Its existence was first confirmed by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2020, who described the unit in a speech to Parliament as an amalgamation of «our intelligence and service personnel.»

The hacker unit aims to recruit 3,000 people. by 2030.

Mr. Babbage was first recognized as SCF's commander in April when the force released a strategy paper to explain their role called «Responsible Cyber ​​Attack in Practice.»

0804 Cyber ​​attacks on Russia

«The FTS conducts cyber operations daily to protect UK from threats, advancing UK foreign and national security policy, supporting military operations and preventing serious crime,” the document says.

Despite his high-profile role at the head of the NCF, which protects the UK from international threats such as terrorism and hostile states, Mr Babbage will move to a middle position with the NCA, which fights organized crime.

An NCA spokesman said: «He will replace Rob Jones as interim CEO threatening [oversight] of economic and organized crime.»

Cyber ​​industry sources were puzzled by the move, which was first reported by The Record, a cybersecurity website.

One told The Telegraph: «I heard a rumor that he was moving to the NCA, but assumed it would be something more.»

Hacking and fraud cost the UK economy billions annually dollars despite attempts to crack down on foreign criminals attacking UK businesses.

Earlier this year, IT outsourcing company Capita said it expected to lose up to £1. 20 m after the attack of the Russian ransomware. Criminals have stolen data from millions of pensioners from a web service run on behalf of 350 UK pension funds.

GCHQ declined to comment.