London - Britain's defense secretary says it is recruiting hundreds of experts for a new cyber force designed to protect the nation's vital data - and stage cyberattacks if necessary.

Philip Hammond says the Joint Cyber Reserve Unit aims to boost Britain's offensive and defensive capabilities in an age of increasing threats from cyberespionage and cybersabotage.

The defense chief said in a statement released Sunday that the recruitment drive, to launch in October, will target military reservists and those leaving the armed forces. It will also welcome computer experts with no military experience.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, Hammond said it was no longer enough to build purely defensive cyber capabilities.