Objectives and Values

The Security Service Act 1989 (new window) defines our role as being "the protection of national security and, in particular, its protection against threats from espionage, terrorism and sabotage, from the activities of agents of foreign powers and from actions intended to overthrow or undermine parliamentary democracy by political, industrial or violent means."

In pursuing the role set out by the Act, the Security Service's corporate aims are to:

• frustrate terrorism;
• prevent damage to the UK from foreign espionage and other covert foreign state activity;
• frustrate procurement by proliferating countries of material, technology or expertise relating to weapons of mass destruction;
• watch out for new or re-emerging types of threat;
• protect Government's sensitive information and assets, and the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI);
• reduce serious crime through assistance to law enforcement agencies;
• assist the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in the discharge of their statutory functions;
• build Service capability and resilience.

Our Values

In order to protect national security and economic well-being, and to support the law enforcement agencies in preventing and detecting serious crime, we collect and disseminate intelligence, investigate and assess threats and work with others to counter them; advise on protection; and provide effective support for those tasks.

In working to fulfil our purpose, we are guided by a commitment to:

• legality;
• integrity;
• objectivity;
• a sense of proportion about our work; and
• respect and consideration for each other and for those with whom we work outside the Service.