Britain names MI5 deputy as first female cyber spy boss

On Tuesday, Anne Keast-Butler became the first woman to lead Britain’s GCHQ intelligence communications agency. In this role, she will be responsible for safeguarding the country from terrorists, cybercriminals, and hostile foreign countries.

In May, she will replace Jeremy Fleming, who is leaving after six years in the position.

Appointing him, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly praised Keast-history Butler’s of success at the center of Britain’s national security system. He assured the public that Anne would utilize her extensive background to ensure the safety of the British people.

Currently she holds the position of deputy director general at MI5, Britain’s domestic intelligence organization.

British intelligence agency GCHQ works closely with its US and Canadian and Australian and New Zealand counterparts as part of the “Five Eyes” alliance.

With its origins in the early twentieth century following the start of World War One, GCHQ follows MI5 by about three decades in appointing a female leader.

As the first woman to head MI5, Stella Rimington is credited with inspiring the casting of Judi Dench as “M,” the head of Britain’s foreign intelligence service MI6, in the James Bond films.

Earlier this month, GCHQ made a rare declaration about its offensive cyber action, stating that its hackers have begun operations against extremists, state-backed disinformation campaigns, and attempts to meddle with elections.

The organisation collaborates with the likes of the British police, the Ministry of Defense, foreign allies, the commercial sector, and universities.