Britain needs to expand its offensive cyber capabilities to keep pace with its global counterparts, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Ahead of the publication of a national security review, Johnson said the country must invest in expanding its capabilities to counter increased global threats in cyberspace.

“Cyber power is revolutionising the way we live our lives and fight our wars, just as air power did 100 years ago,” Johnson said in a statement over the weekend.

“We need to build up our cyber capability so we can grasp the opportunities it presents while ensuring those who seek to use its powers to attack us and our way of life are thwarted at every turn.”

On Tuesday, Johnson is set to present findings from the Integrated Review of security, defence, development and foreign policy to parliament.

The review will highlight the growing importance of emerging technologies in a national defence capacity, with a particular focus placed on bolstering the country’s ability to repulse major state-sponsored cyberattacks.

“The review will set out the importance of cyber technology to our way of life – whether it’s defeating our enemies on the battlefield, making the internet a safer place or developing cutting-edge tech to improve people’s lives,” the Prime Minister’s office said.

Johnson is also expected to announce that the North of England will house Britain’s new ‘National Cyber Force’.

The Prime Minister’s office said the construction of the headquarters further underlines the government’s aim to drive investment to regions outside of London.

“Opening the HQ of the NCF in the North of England will drive growth in the tech, digital and defence sectors outside of London and help create new partnerships between government, the sector and universities in the region, placing it in the international centre of cutting-edge developments to keep our people safe,” Johnson’s office said.

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Announced last year, the National Cyber Force was created as part of an effort to transform Britain’s offensive cyber capabilities, including its ability to launch targeted cyber operations against hostile nation states, terrorist groups and criminal gangs.

The NCF, which brings together military personnel, intelligence officers and cyber experts, was launched in tandem with the 13th Signals Regiment, a new British Army regiment which specialises in cyber warfare.

In recent years, the British Government has placed significant focus on bolstering the country’s cybersecurity capacity. 2016 saw the launch of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, which works to protect critical organisations, businesses and the public from cyber threats.

The Centre continues to work closely with the country’s growing technology sector, and in the last year GCHQ has partnered with startups specialising in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

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