1.0 Semper Occultus
The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), colloquially known as MI6, is the UK’s foreign intelligence agency. Specialising in HUMINT, SIS’s reach and capacity to exert Britain’s will is immense. Serving as one of the many powerful cogs within the UK’s intelligence machinery.
SIS’ main purpose however is to collect, analyse and disseminate intelligence relating to foreign threats. These reports or pieces of intelligence go on to help inform policy makers and influence national security. The service sits within the three intelligence pillars of the UK intelligence community (UKIC). Tasked with external intelligence collecting, SIS works alongside her sister agencies MI5 (internal) and GCHQ (SIGINT).
1.1 MI6 or SIS?
Officially, British foreign intelligence and its agency is referred to as the Secret Intelligence Service, abbreviated as SIS. However, it is typically referred to publicly and globally as MI6. The designation for MI6 dates back to the Second World War. During this period, it was used as an ease of recognition, distinguishing itself apart from the Security Service (MI5). The actual term itself, MI, refers to: ‘military intelligence’. As of today, MI5 has stuck whilst MI6 is the unofficial designation for SIS. (Source)
2.0 Symbolism and Motto
The agency’s motto is ‘Semper Occultus’, which when translated to English reads: Always Secret. A highly fitting motto for one of the world’s most secretive and discreet organisations.
The symbolism of the agency today is rather simplistic. To the right, the agency name with the abbreviation ‘MI6’ next to it, a nod to their older designation. To the left, Britain’s coat of arms depicting a Lion (England) and Unicorn (Scotland) ‘protecting’ the crown of the United Kingdom. As such, this is exactly the intent of SIS, for King and country.
3.0 SIS and their History
As their name suggests, historical clarity of Britain’s intelligence community remains ‘always secret’. That being said, only half the story is given once you begin to unravel how SIS performs. However, intelligence finds itself with a heavy role in British history and importance, perhaps instead remaining ‘always in the background’ if you look hard enough. As such, this is exactly what intelligence expert Keith Jeffrey has done. Working in partnership with SIS, Jeffrey was able to compile an ‘authorised history’ of SIS from its inception till largely the beginning of the post war period. Even SIS themselves proudly display their history on their website as a result. (Source)
3.1 Origins and The Foreign Section
Great Britain established the Secret Service Bureau (SSB) in 1909 following the rise of Imperial Germany. During this period, the concept of an arms race was centred on these two nations and their ever growing naval armaments. As such, the SSB’s Foreign Section (a prelude to SIS) was tasked with collecting and analysing intelligence on Germany’s admiralty and naval capacity.
The first director of this newly established Foreign Section was Mansfield Cummings. Regarded as an unusual choice, Cummings displayed little experience within the field of intelligence. However, was favoured for his ‘workaholic’ lifestyle. Despite being arguably the first ‘chief’ to SIS’s lineage, Cummings is also where the highly memorable acronym ‘C’ originates from, signing his work in green ink and in which all chiefs continue and are referred to as.
3.2 Intelligence and The Great War
During the First World War, the Foreign Sections efforts were quickly reallocated to the war effort. Increasing in importance, the section began working more closely with the War Office’s military intelligence. For the most part, the Foreign Section was unable to firmly establish a link in Germany, lacking the agents to do so. Instead, intelligence relating to Germany’s war effort largely descended from the Netherlands.
As such, the section’s leading source was former German naval officer Karl Krüger. The intelligence gained from Krüger’s insight went on to inform the British military of how German ships were constructed. In addition to this, Krüger also provided crucial knowledge on the resulting losses after the naval battle of Jutland in 1916, to which Britain won.
3.2.1 La Dame Blanche
Throughout the First World War, the foreign section continued to provide important intelligence relating to Germany. One famous operation was La Dame Blanche, a network of spies in Belgium. Composed of over 800 spies and agents, predominantly women, provided actionable intelligence on German troops’ movements throughout the war. (Source)
3.3 Designation as SIS
Following the war, the Foreign Section began to downsize. However, Cummings was able to keep the section’s importance alive. By 1920, SIS became the official name of the service. A few years later in 1923, Cummings passed away and was replaced by Admiral Hugh Sinclair. This marked a momentous change to the agency. Not only did it lose the ‘father’ of SIS, Sinclair went on to instate the following sections:
- Opposed to the regular collection of intelligence, Section D comprised clandestine officers and operatives tasked with espionage and destruction should the need arise. (Source)
- Section N was created for the surveillance of diplomats and political elite of interest to the UK.
- A foreign counter-espionage service, Section V was established to liaise with the security service on matters of counterintelligence abroad.
- Section VII was the economic branch tasked with gathering intelligence on matters important to Britain’s economic interests.
- Finally, Section VIII was created to aid in liaising with agents and officers overseas. Establishing a centralised network back to SIS in Britain.
3.4 World War Two
For SIS, the Second World War saw a large expansion of SIS both in personnel and activities. By 1943, SIS established its first training centre for their officers. Towards the end of the war, SIS became involved with ‘The Sussex Scheme’. The operation saw SIS working with allied partners to drop officers in occupied France in the build-up to D-Day. The intelligence collected was vital to the inevitable invasion, with SIS reporting over 800 transmissions from 30 teams. Additional operations are as follows: (Source) (Source)
- Throughout the war, Polish intelligence and SIS relied upon one another massively. Given Poland’s circumstance as an occupied country, underground networks were able to provide large swaths of intelligence to Britain on German operations such as the invasion of the Soviet Union. Additionally, informing SIS on the Holocaust.
- In Belgium, SIS established a network of agents known as ‘Service Clarence’, successfully reporting on German coastal defences and installations throughout the war.
- The Makir station in Norway was run by SIS and Norwegian agents who provided crucial intelligence on U-boat activity into the North Sea. Lasting six months, the station was able to stay hidden and transmit over ten messages daily. (Source)
3.4.1 Section D
By 1941, Nazi Germany had begun to engulf continental Europe. For SIS, this alluded to a major expansion in personnel and activities. As such, Section D was put into action, conducting clandestine activity alongside SOE. An opposite to the role of collecting intelligence, Section D’s prerogative was largely felt unnatural by those in the War Office. Under the leadership of Laurence Grand, Section D’s work largely transformed SIS into a more knowledgeable agency in clandestine activities. As such, Grand was highly ingrained in the planning of strategic targets in Germany, as well as pointing out vulnerable targets in Britain.
3.5 Cold War
As the dust settled in Europe, a new era of ideological tension and disparity fell on Britain. As such, SIS found itself in a changing world, the rise of communism and the Russian Bear loomed over Europe whilst the empire began to retract. In a post war world, intelligence on Russia and the communists in Europe became the largest threat to British national security. Ultimately, SIS was pulled at both ends and strained.
That being said, SIS grew with the times, cooperating largely with their western allies across the pond. In 1946, the UKUSA agreement was put into effect, linking the two largest powers at the time not only in terms of friendship but intelligence matrimony. Today, this ‘special relationship’ has become what is known as the Five Eyes alliance incorporating Canada, New Zealand, and Australia in intelligence parity.
3.5.1 Into the Shadows
As the Cold War raged on, the length and breadth of authorised history fades. As such, much information on SIS’s activities were limited in the later half of the Cold War. However, it is not impossible to piece together.
- During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, SIS assisted in the training and arming of Mujahideen fighters. Primarily on Soviet equipment and collecting intelligence on their capabilities.
- SIS assisted the CIA to overthrow Mohammed Mossadeq in Iran. Successfully conducting a Coup d’etat in 1953. Mossadeq was planning to oust the US and UK based oil companies. Favouring instead to nationalise them, ultimately leading to his downfall.
- Numerous recruitment initiatives of Soviet agents. Oleg Penkovsky was a GRU officer who supplied SIS and the CIA with numerous Soviet military schematics. In addition to this, SIS recruited Oleg Gordievsky for the better part of a decade, also providing crucial intelligence within the KGB.
4.0 Organisation
Also referred loosely as ‘Legoland’ and the ‘Ziggurat’ given its odd design, but more memorably known as the ‘MI6 building’. Today, this brutalist building sits as an imposing statement to the UK’s first line of defence. Within its walls are highly skilled intelligence officers, analysts, and technicians working around the clock to keep the country safe. Mission objectives for the agency include but are not limited to:
- Counter Terrorism
- Nuclear proliferation
- Disrupting hostile activity
- Cyber related activity
In 1994, SIS was officially recognised by the British government, acknowledging their role to the public. The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament was also established to promote transparency between policymakers and legislation over the UKIC’s activities. Since then, SIS has thoroughly upheld their role in adhering to UK law and democratic values, as seen on their website. (Source)
‘We work overseas to help make the UK a safer and more prosperous place’
-SIS At A glance (Source)
4.1 Budget and Personnel
Being a civilian agency attached to the Foreign Office, SIS does not directly employ military personnel within their ranks. Instead, they are civil servants and make up, as of 2022, 3,673 personnel. Annually, the UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) publishes their findings on the UKIC expenditure and operations. As it is always secret, SIS’s direct expenditure is not disclosed. However, the service fits within the Single Intelligence Account, which in 2022 sat at 3.7 billion. (Source)
4.2 Specialisation
The main intelligence collection focus of SIS is Human Intelligence (HUMINT). Unlike other intelligence agencies which may specialise in TECHINT or SIGINT. In 2021, the current chief of SIS, Richard Moore covered the importance of HUMINT in a digitalised age of the 21st century. As such, Moore covers what SIS identifies as the ‘The Big Four’. As geopolitical boundaries shift, the rise of China, the resurgence of Russia, and the relevance of Iran present linguistic and logistical challenges in the collection of intelligence.
“What we do, as a human intelligence agency, is essential, because at the end of the day, even in a digital world, critical decisions are made by real people.”
SIS Chief Richard Moore’s speech to the Institute for Strategic Studies (Source)
Subsequently, as cyberspace grows so do technological barriers. Thus, HUMINT still covers a core function in the collection of intelligence where other methods may not be so presentable. Finally, Moore addresses the increasing relevance of terrorist groups and the HUMINT importance within this area. Terrorist networks and cells tend to operate at times beyond the technological realm of communications amongst themselves. Even so, geographical constraints can exacerbate such dilemmas further. Overall, showcasing how important HUMINT is for SIS. (Source)
4.3 Recruitment
Today, SIS’s recruitment has moved on from the Cold War approaches made out of university. Although a plausibility, direct recruitment is easily accessible from the SIS website. Careers differ in function and branch out into six distinct areas. (Source)
- Intelligence Officers and Analysts
- Language Specialists
- Science and Technology
- Business Support Officers
- Corporate Services
- Trades and Services
Like any intelligence agency, candidates looking to start a career within SIS must endure a lengthy time consuming vetting process. Handling this falls under the United Kingdom’s Security Vetting (UKSV), acting as the sole provider for such a purpose. The common standard for intelligence personnel will be Developed Vetting or DV in short. Throughout this process, extensive checks on your history, friends, family, and finances, along with other circumstances will be checked. It goes without saying, if you wish to be eligible for this not only will you have to endure over 6 months of vetting but also hold British nationality. However, exceptions are made over dual nationality. The catch however, depending on where that is, you may need to relinquish your prior nationality.
4.4 Fort Monckton
Similar in concept to ‘The Farm’ run by the CIA in training of their intelligence personnel, Fort Monckton is the supposed facility in which SIS trains theirs. However, ‘facilities’ may be plural as it is not definitive where SIS personnel train. Located in Hampshire, once a candidate has successfully passed their vetting and standard requirements, a six month training process begins. Known as IONEC or Intelligence Officer’s New Entry Course the knowledge imposed upon aspiring intelligence officers, covers these techniques:
- Candidates will learn valuable tradecraft skills such as managing dead drops, counter-surveillance techniques, codes, and cover identity.
- How to recruit and handle agents when overseas on mission.
In addition to this, SIS has also been present in the training of foreign combatants. Such a case pertains to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Four years on, Mujahideen fighters were trained by SAS personnel and brought to training camps across the UK. As such, it was SIS who facilitated the training working alongside SAS to effectively turn these men against the communists. (Source) (Source)
4.5 The Increment
Also known as E Squadron, their existence falls within the shadows, unrecognised, untold. Although SIS is acknowledged by the British government, their clandestine activities are not. Similar to the CIA’s Special Activities Center and DGSE’s Action Division, personnel from the increment perform SIS’s clandestine activities. For context, such activities include illicit killings, espionage, and acts of deniability. In addition to this, such members are carefully selected from ex-special forces in the UKSF. As such, it is widely thought these operators are either SAS, SBS, and SRR. (Source)
It is unclear how long The Increment has existed, their ascent into the headlines appeared in 2003 within the media. In 2011, E Squadron members were shown to be involved in the NATO campaign against Colonel Ghadaffi in Libya. Appearing again more recently in 2021 when government emails were leaked pertaining the identities of supposed E Squadron members. Clearly, SIS’s motto rings true: Semper Occultus, The Increment will go on to serve as the secretive group of SIS. (Source)
5.0 Equipment
For the most part, SIS officers are unlikely to carry a firearm or directly engage in combat. However, they still receive training in a range of light arms for personal defence. Additionally, if officers are on deployment abroad, UKSF will be available if the situation arises. Furthermore, vehicles available to officers will tend to blend into their environment and vary in size and function. (Source) (Source)
6.0 Operations
As expected, the majority of all recent and modern conflicts in the 21st century lack disclosure over SIS’s involvement in the collection of intelligence. Truthfully, the large majority of SIS’s successes and failures will potentially forever remain a secret. However, below is a non-exhaustive list of known SIS involvement in operations. In addition to this, what is known throughout 2022 definitively is laid out in the ISC report of 2023. (Source)
- SIS provided intelligence preluding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Aiding in Britain’s response to the ongoing crisis. In addition to this, they shared intelligence with Ukraine which has undoubtedly gone on to influence key strategic developments.
- SIS managed to thwart and uncover intelligence relating to planned terrorist attacks within the UK
- SIS uncovered an economic-related incident regarding fraud to HMRC. The incident reportedly could have led to over £50 million in losses.
- Finally, SIS contributed to dialogue with China, providing intelligence to policy-makers in Britain.
6.1 The Falklands and the Black Market
The Falkland conflict saw the UK and Argentina go to war over the Falkland Islands in 1982. Critical to the UK’s success, was the safe arrival of their fleet. Stretching a distance of 3,700 nautical miles, logistics and safety was of the utmost importance for the safe arrival of Britain’s fury. Once the task force arrived, Argentinian jets conducted regular sorties on British ships with Exocet missiles, sinking or damaging several successfully.
In conjunction with GCHQ, SIS began a series of black market dealings to deny the Argentinians of any further Exocet missiles. Posing as arms dealers, SIS agents were able to buy up the market of available Exocets. Additionally, they posed as the sole dealers for the Argentinians, when in reality, they were diverting them away. On top of this, SIS conducted counterintelligence on known Argentinian agents within the trade. As such, the situation would have been worse if not for the employment of officers and recruitment of agents in buying up said missiles in the black market. (Source)
6.2 Afghanistan and the War on Transparency
During Operation Enduring Freedom, SIS played a vital role in sourcing and collecting intelligence in Afghanistan for the coalition. Prior to the US-led invasion, SIS already had a presence in the country. On 28 September 2001, SIS officers were approved to expand their operations and deployment to Afghanistan. Since then, SIS has established extensive networks in the recruitment of agents and sourcing of intelligence. Notably, SIS assisted UKSF and USSF in the collection of intelligence on Osama Bin Laden’s whereabouts prior to his killing. However, SIS has faced controversy in the detainment and handling of detainees. In an ISC report in 2005, questions were raised over SIS’s role in interviewing those captured by coalition forces. As such, the ISC report found SIS officers lacked sufficient training or transparency to their role in said interviews with prisoners. (Source) (Source)
6.3 Libya: Convoluted?
During NATO’s campaign in Libya in 2011 against Muammar Gaddafi and his forces, SIS is believed to have been involved. In a BBC article published in 2012, SIS in conjunction with UKSF, otherwise believed to be the infamous E Squadron, were arrested by Gaddafi’s forces. SIS officers along with members of “E” Squadron were tasked with securing communications with rebel factions. Upon their arrival, they were detained. As a result, political fallout and embarrassment ensued with the eventual release of the team. In 2018, an article was released by the Guardian reporting that SIS actively communicated with Gaddafi and his intelligence officials. As such, highlights SIS’s role in Libya and extensive operations in sourcing intelligence for UK policy-makers. (Source) (Source) (Source)
7.0 The Future and The Human Factor
As technology grows and improves, cyberspace and the need for specialised forms of intelligence collection and security too grows. There is no doubt that SIS will continue to innovate and play a large role in British security. As Russia continues its war in Ukraine, terrorist groups grow in Africa and the Middle East whilst China rises in the east, SIS will continue to take a focus within these areas of the globe in the interest of national security. Additionally, it is obvious they will too continue to develop and specialise in HUMINT in these areas. As such, Richard Moore continues to express the vital importance of these geopolitical events in a speech in July 2023 in Prague. (Source)
8.0 Conclusion
Overall, SIS is an intelligence service with a long and innovative history. In addition to this, they are clearly professionals within the intelligence world and a vital component of the UKIC. HUMINT is and will remain the focal point of their intelligence collection, continuing to provide critical intel for the UK and their policy making decisions. As such, SIS or MI6, whatever your preferred term is, is worthy of further research and interest if the UKIC is for you.
