Security News > 2021 > August > Fancy joining the SAS's secret hacker squad in Hereford as an electronics engineer for £33k?
A job ad blunder by the UK's Ministry of Defence has accidentally revealed the existence of a secret SAS mobile hacker squad. The secretive Computer Network Operations Exploitation Unit had its cover blown on the MoD's external job ad website, as spotted by the ever eagle-eyed Alan Turnbull of Secret Bases.
Based in Hereford, the £33k-per-year post was to be filled by an "Extraordinary talented electronics engineer" [sic] to "Work alongside some of the best scientists and engineers within defence and will be tasked with delivering prototype solutions directly to the soldiers and officers of a unique and specialised military unit."
What unique and specialised military unit is famously based in Hereford? Why, it's the Special Air Service, whose legendary warfare skills sees them doing all kinds of covertly nasty things to Her Majesty's enemies all around the world.
It seems the SAS want somebody whose skills are better on the lab bench than in sneaking up on a sentry, fighting knife in hand; somebody to design and build custom electronics used for CNO. The job ad went into more detail, saying MAB5 is "a small military unit that specialises in the provision of novel and ground-breaking science and technology prototypes for operational requirements."
What does MAB stand for? Secret Bases said "It is simply a coy reference to 'MoD A Block' which in turn is a codename for use by those 'in the know' when wishing to refer to UK Special Forces operations. The actual physical MoD A Block is at the SAS Regents Park Barracks in Albany Street, Central London and is UKSF HQ.".
The unit appears to be commanded by a Royal Signals lieutenant colonel, and judging by Secret Bases' findings, his personal security online is somewhat lacking for a UKSF officer.