MI5 – The Security Service

The overview

MI5, also known as the Security Service, exists to protect citizens of the UK, both at home and abroad, against national security threats. In particular, it aims to hinder the actions of terrorists, and any form of subterfuge or espionage that would serve to put the nation at risk. In addition, the Security Service assists some public and private organisations in their own needs for protection against threats.

MI5 is not part of the Civil Service; however, it is directly responsible to the home secretary.

The elements of MI5’s work

There are seven different branches within the service, which oversee the following matters:

• Managing MI5’s operational capabilities, such as technical and surveillance operations
• Domestic and Northern Ireland counter terrorism
• Countering international terrorism, plus counter espionage work and counter proliferation work
• Managing MI5’s technological capability
• Managing M15’s personnel and security
• Strategy, policy, finances and facilities
• Providing advice on protective security measures.

A significant proportion of MI5’s funding (72%) goes toward international counter terrorism. Counter terrorism as a whole makes up the vast bulk of MI5’s work, with 96% of its funding being used to hamper terrorist activities, both domestic and international.

Governance

MI5 cannot launch counter terrorist activities without the agreement of ministers that a threat is real, for which it must produce evidence. Once a threat is considered real, the service acts with other organisations such as the police to counter it. There are protocols to follow when gathering information, such as obtaining warrants from the home secretary.

MI5 is not part of the Civil Service; however, it is directly responsible to the home secretary.

The work of the service is overseen in three ways: ‘ministerial oversight’, ‘parliamentary oversight’ and ‘judicial oversight’.

Ministerial oversight refers to the fact that the home secretary is responsible for MI5, and its director general is directly accountable to the home secretary.

Parliamentary oversight is the responsibility of a nine-person parliamentary team known as the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC). The purpose of this group is to look into the administration, policy and expenditure of MI5.

Judicial oversight is conducted by two commissioners, who have had considerable judicial experience. These compile independent annual reports on the actions of MI5, which are submitted to the prime minister.

Rankings

• 21 in the Guardian UK 300, 2011
• 54 in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers, 2011-12.
• Ranked 62 in Stonewall's Top 100 Employers in Britain for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, 2012

Salary and benefits

Graduate salaries at MI5 begin at £24,750 for intelligence officers, intelligence analysts and foreign language analysts in the London Language Unit. This goes down to £22,000 outside London. Those recruited as internet and computer technologies specialists or IT security exploitation officers begin on around £27,250 (although this figure can vary depending upon skills and experience).

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years’ service
• Pension scheme (comparable to the Civil Service pension scheme)
• Flexi-time, job sharing and compressed hours (where applicable)
• Annual leave ‘bank’ scheme
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Child care vouchers after a year in the service
• Interest-free travel season ticket loan
• Staff counsellor.