How We Operate

Photograph of the Security Service Crest Security Service crest

We work closely with a range of other agencies and organisations in seeking to counter threats to national security.

Our work focuses on:

  • - Investigating suspect individuals and organisations to obtain, collate, analyse and assess secret intelligence relating to the threats. This requires us to gather intelligence and manage information effectively.
  • - Acting to counter the sources of threats, compiling evidence that enables us to bring suspects to justice.
  • - Advising the Government and others to keep them informed of the threats and advises on the appropriate response, including protective security measures; and
  • - Assisting other agencies, organisations and Government departments in combating threats. We contribute to the collective work of the UK's National Intelligence Machinery and form partnerships with other organisations in the UK and abroad.

Why we use secret intelligence

Although publicly available information can be helpful for background purposes, the best way to discover the intentions and actions of organisations and individuals posing a threat to national security is to obtain secret intelligence about their activities. Over time, we collate this information and seek to develop detailed knowledge of target organisations, their key personalities, infrastructure, intentions, plans, and capabilities.

If intelligence is worth recording we ensure that this is done accurately, clearly marking its origin and authenticity, and ensuring that it can be retrieved swiftly. If we assess that a particular threat needs to be investigated, then resources are deployed to obtain further intelligence. Assessments are continually adjusted in light of new intelligence or events.

This whole process of assessment and investigation helps us make decisions about counter action and protective measures. Our judgements of the scale of the various threats to national security and the distribution of our efforts in response are subject to validation by the Home Secretary and the external scrutiny of Parliament. We adjust our priorities according to the national requirements for intelligence, set by Government, drawn up by the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) and endorsed by Ministers.

 

Key points

  • We investigate threats and act on intelligence received.
  • We advise Government and others about threats.
  • We assist other organisations in responding to threats.
  • Secret intelligence enables us to expose covert threats to national security.