Security Service Personnel

What is the work like?

The Security Service protects the UK against threats to national security. This means working to safeguard the economic well-being of the country, and to counter threats from:

• terrorism (national and international)
• espionage
• serious crime
• proliferation – attempts to acquire materials, technology and expertise which could be used to develop chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

The Service also provides security advice for key national infrastructure such as power, water and transport systems.

You could work in a variety of roles within the Service, including:

• surveillance officer – watching and reporting on the movements and actions of people under investigation
• intelligence officer – using intelligence data to assess and investigate threats to national security
• linguist – translating and transcribing intelligence information from intercepted telephone calls, emails and post, and interpreting its political and cultural context
• IT specialist – providing protection and IT support to the government’s computer systems, networks and communication systems.

You could also work in a number of specialist posts as well as support roles such as administrator, security guard, driver and building services personnel. Visit the MI5 Careers website for more details about all job roles.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

You will need to meet strict residency and nationality criteria to work for the Security Service. You will need to be at least 18 years old to apply, and you must also meet any specific requirements for the job you are applying for. For example:

• surveillance officers – you will need a full driving licence but you do not need any formal qualifications as recruitment is based on personal qualities and work experience
• intelligence officers – you will normally need a 2:1 degree in any subject (you might be considered with a lower classification if you have three years' relevant work experience)
• linguists – your language ability will be tested during the selection process; preferred languages include Arabic, Sorani, Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, Chinese (Mandarin), Somali, Pushto, Persian and Russian
• IT specialists – the experience and IT ability you need will vary according to the job role, but you need the ability to pass the service’s IT test
• administrative and clerical jobs – you will need at least two years' relevant experience.

For further details see the MI5 Careers website.

What further training and development can I do?

All new staff attend an initial induction which lasts for up to eight days. Most roles involve on-the-job training and programmes of self development.

If you join the Service as an intelligence officer, you would complete a development programme, which combines on-the-job and in-house training courses.

If you start as a surveillance officer, you must complete a 75-day course that tests your mental and physical ability. You will need to pass this phase in order to remain in employment and move on to the professional training stage. It can take two years to be fully competent in a surveillance role. You would receive specialist training for photography or technical roles.

Your training as a linguist would include a mixture of on-the-job and classroom-based training programmes, and you would learn to use specialist language centre equipment.

Whichever post you are in, you will be encouraged throughout your career to attend further internal or external training courses.

Where can I go for more information?

If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form

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