MI5's Resources and Links
MI5 works closely with a wide range of organisations, government departments and law enforcement agencies both in the UK and overseas (see "Partnerships"). Links to the websites of our main partners and other useful online resources are provided below.
MI5 isn’t responsible for the websites listed below. Providing links to the websites should not be taken as endorsement of any kind. We cannot guarantee that the links will work all of the time and we have no control over the availability of linked pages.
UK government departments
GOV.UK is a United Kingdom public sector information website. It provides a single point of access to services provided by His Majesty’s Government and draws together information which was previously published across hundreds of government departments, agencies and other public bodies.
The Home Office is responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales. It deals with counter-terrorist policy and legislation. MI5 works under the statutory authority of the Home Secretary.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
The FCO is responsible for foreign affairs. FCO travel advice draws on information from the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre at Thames House. The FCO website provides travel advice on over 200 countries, including information on threats to personal safety abroad.
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 (JIC), which advises on priorities for intelligence collection and assesses performance against them, is based at the Cabinet Office.
The Northern Ireland Office works to secure a lasting peace in the Province, based on the Good Friday Agreement. The Director and Co-ordinator of Intelligence (Northern Ireland) reports both to the Director General of MI5 and to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
BIS aims to assist UK businesses at home and abroad. Its Export Control Organisation handles applications for licences to export controlled military and dual-use technology from the UK and therefore helps to prevent the proliferation of WMD to countries of concern. The Security Service works with the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) of the DTI on issues of nuclear and radiation security and runs briefings jointly with OCNS for members of the civil nuclear industry.
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. The Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS) of the MOD is part of the UK's central intelligence machinery.
The aim of the Department of Health is to improve the health and well-being of people in England. The department provides information on emergency planning and advice on the treatment of chemical, biological and radiological casualties.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in the UK. Its website provides advice and guidance on a range of health and safety issues.
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.
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, commonly known as MI6, is responsible for obtaining secret information and conducting operations in support of the UK'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
MI5 works closely with the 43 police forces across England and Wales, particularly their Special Branches. The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) co-ordinates a nationwide network of specialist police advisors who may be contacted via local police headquarters. The UK Police Service portal provides links to regional police force websites.
National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC)
The 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.
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.
The City of London Police is responsible for the safety of London's "Square Mile". It provides information on countering the threat of terrorism in the City and on the work of its Anti-Terrorism and Public Order Unit.
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 Crime Agency (NCA)
The 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
Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
The CBI represents companies from all sectors of UK business. It is a source of expert advice and information, and a forum for the generation of ideas and best practice exchange. The CBI's business guides cover issues such as business continuity and protecting your business in the electronic age.
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.
Get Safe Online is a joint initiative between the government, law enforcement, leading businesses and the public sector that provides computer users and small businesses with free, independent, user-friendly advice to help them use the internet confidently, safely and securely.
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.
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
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.
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 (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 (IPT)
The IPT is an independent body set up by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) to consider complaints relating to the activities covered by the act. Members of the public who wish to make a complaint about the MI5 can write to the IPT.
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.
Latest News
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MI5 Director General Ken McCallum has welcomed the National Security Act receiving royal assent.
Our director general, Ken McCallum, delivered the annual Bowman lecture at The University of Glasgow earlier this month.