Resources and Links

MI5's Resources and Links

MI5 works closely with a wide range of partners, including government departments and law enforcement agencies both in the UK and overseas. Links to the websites of our main partners and other useful online resources are provided below. 

MI5 is not responsible for the websites listed below, or their content. 

UK government 

GOV.UK 

GOV.UK provides a single point of access to services provided by the UK Government. 

Home Office 

The Home Office is the lead government department for many policies including, immigration and passports, homeland security and policing in England and Wales. By law, MI5 works under the authority of the Home Secretary. 

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is responsible for foreign affairs. The FCDO provides travel advice on over 200 countries, including information on threats to personal safety abroad. 

Cabinet Office 

One of the Cabinet Office'’s key objectives is to co-ordinate security, intelligence and civil protection matters in the UK against disruptive threats. The Joint Intelligence Committee, which advises on priorities for intelligence collection and assesses performance against them, is based at the Cabinet Office. 

Northern Ireland Office 

The Northern Ireland Office works to secure a lasting peace in Northern Ireland, based on a shared future and the principles of the Good Friday Agreement. They ensure that the interests of Northern Ireland are effectively represented at Westminster and work alongside the Northern Ireland Executive to help improve the effectiveness and delivery of devolved institutions. 

Ministry of Defence 

The role of the Ministry of Defence, and the Armed Forces, is to defend the UK, and overseas territories, its people and interests, and work to strengthen international peace and security. Defence Intelligence (DI) is part of the UK's intelligence machinery. 

Department for Transport (DfT) 

The Department for Transport oversees the delivery of a reliable, safe and secure transport system (land, sea and air). MI5 works with the Transport Security Division (TRANSEC) of the DfT on issues of transport security and runs joint security briefings and roadshows with TRANSEC for members of the transport industry. 

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) 

HMRC has responsibility for collecting VAT revenue, customs duties and certain other taxes. It also plays a key role in protecting the UK from illegal imports of drugs, alcohol and tobacco smuggling and tax fraud. 

UK intelligence agencies 

Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) 

SIS, often known as MI6, is responsible for obtaining secret information and conducting operations in support of the government's foreign policy objectives, and to counter threats to UK interests worldwide. 

Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) 

GCHQ is an intelligence and security organisation which reports to the Foreign Secretary. Through its signals intelligence work, GCHQ supports government decision-making in the fields of national security, military operations and law enforcement. 

Law enforcement agencies 

Counter Terrorism Policing 

Counter Terrorism Policing is a collaboration of police forces based upon a regional network of Counter Terrorism Units throughout the UK, bringing together intelligence analysis and development with investigations and operational support activity to protect the UK from terrorism. 

Police forces in England and Wales 

MI5 works closely with the 43 police forces across England and Wales, particularly their Special Branches. The UK Police Service portal provides links to regional police force websites. 

Police Scotland 

Police Scotland is responsible for policing across the whole of Scotland. It is the second largest force in the UK with 22,000 officers and staff working together for the people of Scotland. 

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) 

The PSNI is the successor to the former Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and provides policing services across Northern Ireland. 

National Police Chiefs' Council 

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) brings together 43 operationally independent and locally accountable chief constables and their chief officer teams to coordinate national operational policing. They work closely with the College of Policing, which is responsible for developing professional standards, to develop national approaches on issues such as finance, technology and human resources. 

National Crime Agency 

The National Crime Agency (NCA) leads UK law enforcement work against serious and organised crime. Its broad areas of work cover border policing, economic crime, organised crime, cyber crime and eradicating sexual exploitation and abuse of children. 

Security advice 

National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) 

NPSA is part of MI5. It provides protective security advice, covering physical and personnel security, to businesses and other organisations which could be affected by national security threats including terrorism and the threat posed by other states. 

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) 

The NCSC was set up to help protect our critical services from cyber attacks, manage major incidents, and improve the underlying security of the UK Internet through technological improvement and advice to citizens and organisations. 

ProtectUK 

ProtectUK provides businesses and the public with counter-terrorism support and guidance to effectively protect against and prepare for a terrorist incident. NPSA’s expertise informs the information provided by ProtectUK. 

British Standards Institution (BSI) 

BSI is the world's leading provider of standards covering every aspect of the modern economy. For example, BS 7799 deals with securing business information, BS 7499 covers static site guarding and mobile patrol services, and BS 7858 is the code of practice for security screening of individuals employed in a security environment. NPSA (see above) has also worked with the BSI to develop PAS 97: 2012 A Specification for Mail Screening and Security.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 

The DBS helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. It also prevents unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children, through its criminal record checking and barring functions. 

Contingency planning / resilience 

Emergency Planning College 

The Emergency Planning College, based within the Civil Contingencies Secretariat of the Cabinet Office, runs short seminars, workshops and courses on an inter-agency basis in the field of crisis management and emergency planning. 

Business Continuity Institute (BCI) 

The mission of the BCI is to promote business continuity management worldwide. It provides an internationally recognised certification scheme for business continuity practitioners and is involved in the development of international standards. The BCI website includes details of its business continuity planning guides and conferences, training events and exhibitions.

Continuity Forum 

An online resource for business continuity management professionals, providing advice and support services for organisations wishing to develop their business continuity planning and management. 

Other Links 

The National Archives 

The National Archives (formerly the Public Record Office) has one of the largest archival collections in the world. MI5 first released records, up to the end of World War I, to the Public Record Office in 1997. In 2001 the Service agreed with The National Archives the criteria for deciding which files to release to the public and we now release historical records twice a year.

Investigatory Powers Tribunal 

The IPT is an independent body which considers complaints against the security and intelligence agencies and concerning the use of investigatory powers. Members of the public who wish to make a complaint about MI5 can do so using forms available on the IPT's website.

Defence and Security Media Advisory (DSMA) Committee 

The DSMA Committee, a voluntary body made up of media and official representatives, issues notices that are designed to protect sensitive and classified information. The "DSMA-Notice" System provides general guidance to the media on those areas of national security which government believes it has a duty to protect.