Section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1989 prohibits our current and former staff from making unauthorised disclosures of information concerning security or intelligence that they acquired while working for MI5. We can only pass on information as is necessary for purposes of protecting national security.
You're allowed to tell close and trusted loved ones where you work, if you wish to. But to protect yours and their safety, as well as that of your colleagues and their families, you won't be able to tell anyone outside of your immediate family.
You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member. Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. Applying from outside of the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application.
They will be highly trained in espionage techniques and the use of agents. They may operate openly, declaring themselves as representatives of foreign intelligence services to their host nation, or covertly under the cover of other official positions such as diplomatic staff or trade delegates.
Is MI5 the "secret police"? MI5 isn't a secret police force and our staff don't have the power to detain or arrest people. We're a publicly accountable civilian intelligence organisation, not a law enforcement agency.
Section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1989 prohibits our current and former staff from making unauthorised disclosures of information concerning security or intelligence that they acquired while working for MI5. We can only pass on information as is necessary for purposes of protecting national security.
The employer of the world's most famous fictional British spy, James Bond, MI6 is a highly secretive organisation, whose work remains shrouded in mystery – much more so than its domestic security counterpart MI5. Some 3,600 MI6 staff are said to work out of the famous MI6 building on the Thames.
M is a codename held by a number of fictional characters in Ian Fleming's James Bond book and film series; the characters are the current or past Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, the agency known as MI6.
How much does a secret agent make? Professional intelligence officers receive salaries based on their level of experience, like all government employees. Few own vintage Aston Martin DB5s and order beluga caviar on a regular basis. Spies can earn a lot more money, though.
We do not discriminate against applicants who may have entries on social networking sites. Discretion is an important part of working for the organisation, however, and we encourage candidates to use such sites sensibly and apply privacy settings as appropriate.
Starting salaries for the three agencies - GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 - are in the region of £30,000 to £35,000, plus benefits. There are opportunities to progress to higher grades, with salaries reaching around £40,000 to £45,000 after five to ten years' service.
Staff are given significant autonomy to manage their own careers and typically move jobs every two to three years with the option to move across areas. This variety means that most people stay at MI5 as they are able to fulfil all their career ambitions here and apply for promotion whilst doing so.
Applicants would ideally be no taller than 5ft 11in for men and 5ft 8in for women." This would rule out even James Bond - the prize asset of MI6, the intelligence service. Although 007's height is not specified, all the actors who have played him tower above 5ft 11in.
In order to protect sources and methods, and in the interest of maintaining national security, most CIA employees can't discuss their work, even with family.
If you are married or have a long-term domestic partner, the Agency requires that you tell your other half from day one. Along with that, there are other reasons why you would be required or are otherwise able to divulge your affiliation with the CIA.
Local spies are hired from among the people of a locality. Inside spies are hired from among enemy officials. Reverse spies are hired from among enemy spies. Dead spies transmit false intelligence to enemy spies.
Working as a spy is a rewarding career, but also a demanding one. A career as a spy can result in long periods of time away from home and family in an unfamiliar place.
FBI Spy Training
You'll need to successfully complete new agent training, a tough 20-week regimen. This will include 850 class hours on cases, firearms training, academics and operational skills. You'll also need to train for and pass a physical exam that's even tougher than the one in the application process.
MI7, the British Military Intelligence Section 7 (now defunct), was a department of the British Directorate of Military Intelligence. Part of the War Office, MI7 was set up to work in the fields of propaganda and censorship.
Some historians link the 00 designations to Fleming's World War II service as a real-life Naval officer working in British military intelligence in the 1940s. Fleming worked as the assistant to Rear Admiral John Godfrey, who is believed to be the inspiration for 'M'.
A 00 (typically read "double O" and denoted in Fleming's novels by the letters OO rather than the digits 00) is a field agent who holds a licence to kill in the field, at their discretion, to complete any mission.
1. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - US. The CIA is one of the most renowned intelligence agencies globally, responsible for gathering and analysing intelligence information related to national security issues for the United States.
There are permanent liaison officers of each country in major intelligence agencies of the other, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Secret Intelligence Service ("MI6") (which is the British counterpart of the CIA), FBI and the Security Service (MI5), and National Security Agency (NSA) and Government ...
Incumbent
The chief of the Secret Intelligence Service typically signs letters with a "C" in green ink. This originates from the initial used by Captain Sir Mansfield Smith-Cumming, when he signed a letter "C" in green ink. Since then the chief has been known as "C".