LONDON — The United States and United Kingdom will share more information regarding cybersecurity capabilities under a new memorandum of understanding defense leaders from the two countries agreed to on Wednesday.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the MOU is the first of its kind and will allow the allies to undertake research and development together to improve both offensive and defensive cybercapabilities.
“Our special relationship, as Michael noted, is also becoming a cyberrelationship,” Carter said during a press conference at the Lancaster House with U.K. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.
Carter said the new memo “sends a clear message to our adversaries” that success from past partnerships between the United States and Great Britain will soon extend to the cyberdomain.
Cybersecurity has played a key role in the fight against the Islamic State, as the terrorist group has used online resources to recruit new fighters and has also used its hackers to release personal information about U.S. troops.
Cybersecurity is also a major concern in any conflict with Russia, which was allegedly behind the hack of the Democratic National Convention and is being investigated for using network intrusions to alter election outcomes.
As a result, NATO has stepped up its partnerships in cybersecurity as well. This summer, members released a pledge that promised to keep pace with growing cyberthreats as well as formally stated that a massive cyberattack could trigger Article 5, which requires a response from all members when one ally is attacked.
Carter is in London for a United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial that begins Wednesday evening with a dinner for the attending defense leaders. On Thursday, Carter will participate in the day’s sessions and have bilateral meetings with Turkish and Ukrainian defense leaders.
