UK Security Services

In the United Kingdom, the umbrella term security services refers to the UK government agencies collectively responsible for espionage, counterespionage, counterterrorism and other covert activities.

This typically means:

  • Security Service, more commonly known as MI5
  • Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), more commonly known as MI6

Some people also count Special Branch and the Metropolitan Police Anti-Terrorist Branch as part of the security services.

United Kingdom intelligence agencies and organisations
Current agencies
  • Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)
  • Security Service (MI5)
  • Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)
  • Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS)
  • Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA)
  • Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC)
Defunct agencies
  • MI1 (code breaking)
  • MI2 (geographic info)
  • MI3 (geographic info)
  • MI4 (maps and aerial photos)
  • MI7 (propaganda)
  • MI8 (signals intelligence)
  • MI9 (resistance aid)
  • MI10 (technical analysis)
  • MI11 (military security)
  • MI12 (censorship)
  • MI14 (Germany desk)
  • MI15 (aerial defence)
  • MI16 (scientific intelligence)
  • MI17 (secretariat)
  • MI19 (interrogation)
  • Naval Intelligence Division
  • Committee of Imperial Defence
  • Directorate of Military Intelligence

Famous quotes containing the words security and/or services:

    A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
    U.S. Constitution, Second Amendment.

    Civil servants and priests, soldiers and ballet-dancers, schoolmasters and police constables, Greek museums and Gothic steeples, civil list and services list—the common seed within which all these fabulous beings slumber in embryo is taxation.
    Karl Marx (1818–1883)