Secret Intelligence Service
Sign in to saveThe Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), commonly known as MI6 (Military Intelligence, Section 6), is the foreign intelligence service of the United Kingdom, tasked mainly with the covert overseas collection and analysis of human intelligence on foreign nationals in support of its Five Eyes partners. SIS is one of the British intelligence agencies and the chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (known as "C") is directly accountable to the foreign secretary.
AI overview
The Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6, is the United Kingdom's foreign intelligence agency that secretly gathers and analyzes information about people and events overseas to support British interests and those of its close allies. It matters because it provides intelligence that helps inform British foreign policy decisions, and its leadership is held accountable by the Foreign Secretary on behalf of the government.
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Key facts
- Government agency.agency_name
- Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)
- Government agency.logo
- Secret Intelligence Service logo.svgclass=skin-invert
- Government agency.picture
- SIS building (26327425611).jpg
- Government agency.picture_caption
- SIS Building, the headquarters of MI6 in London
- Government agency.preceding1
- Secret Service Bureau
- Government agency.agency_type
- Foreign intelligence service
- Government agency.jurisdiction
- His Majesty's Government
- Government agency.headquarters
- SIS BuildingLondon, EnglandUnited Kingdom
- Government agency.motto
- Semper Occultus ("Always Secret")
- Government agency.employees
- 3,644
- Government agency.budget
- Single Intelligence Account £3.711 billion (2021–22)
Article
37 sectionsContents
- Structure and mission
- Organisation
- Governance
- Joint Intelligence Committee
- Budget
- Legislation
- History and development
- Foundation
- First World War
- Inter-war period
- Second World War
- Cold War
- After the Cold War
- War on terror
- Afghanistan and Iraq
- Other activities
- Operations in the Balkans
- Libyan Civil War
- 2015 onwards
- Personnel
- Selection and training
- Paramilitary Group
- Salary
- Awards
- Commemorations
- Notable people
- Buildings
- SIS headquarters
- James Bond films
- Other buildings
- The Circus
- Chiefs
- See also
- References
- Citations
- General bibliography
- External links
The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), commonly known as MI6 (Military Intelligence, Section 6), is the foreign intelligence service of the United Kingdom, tasked mainly with the covert overseas collection and analysis of human intelligence on foreign nationals in support of its Five Eyes partners. SIS is one of the British intelligence agencies and the chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (known as "C") is directly accountable to the foreign secretary.
Formed in 1909 as the Foreign Section of the Secret Service Bureau, the section grew greatly during the First World War, officially adopting its current name around 1920. The name "MI6" originated as a convenient label during the Second World War, when SIS was known by many names. It is still commonly used today. The existence of SIS was not officially acknowledged until 1994. That year the Intelligence Services Act 1994 (ISA) was introduced to Parliament, to place the organisation on a statutory footing for the first time. It provides the legal basis for its operations. Today, SIS is subject to public oversight by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament.
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Categories
1909 establishments in the United KingdomBritish intelligence agenciesBritish intelligence services of World War IICoordinates not on WikidataForeign Office during World War IIGovernment agencies established in 1909Intelligence services of World War IIMI6Organisations based in the London Borough of Lambeth