The Threats
The UK faces a range of covert threats to its security. The background information available on these threats aims to put our security advice in context.
Terrorism
There is a serious and sustained threat from international terrorism to the UK and UK interests overseas. The current threat level is assessed as "Severe".
The most significant terrorist threat comes from Al Qaida and associated networks. Information on Al Qaida's typical methods of attack and targets and the current threat to the UK has been prepared by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC).
Northern Ireland-related terrorism continues to pose a threat. Dissident republican terrorist groups, who have rejected the Good Friday Agreement of April 1998, still aspire to mount attacks in Great Britain.
Other threats
The spread, or proliferation, of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is another potential danger to the UK's security. The Security Service has been involved in countering this threat since 1992.
The threat from espionage (or spying) against the UK did not end with the collapse of Soviet communism in the early 1990s. Several countries are actively seeking British information and material to advance their own military, technological, political and economic programmes.
