This snapshot, taken on
07/06/2009
, shows web content acquired for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search may not work in archived websites and contact details are likely to be out of date.
 
 
The UK Government Web Archive does not use cookies but some may be left in your browser from archived websites.
The National Archives
Search The National Archives
Advanced search
   
 
Allegorical sketch of Mary, Queen of Scots, Cat ref: SP52/13/60Security and Intelligence History - Your guide to resources
Allegorical sketch of Mary, Queen of Scots, Cat ref: SP52/13/60
Allegorical sketch of Mary, Queen of Scots, Cat ref: SP52/13/60
 
     
 

Getting Started

  

Security Service

  

Defence Intelligence Staff

 

The United Kingdom has three intelligence and security services, collectively known as the Agencies.

 HRH Princess Elizabeth, Cat ref: INF3/0078
 

Discover more about the Security Service, also known as MI5 - the United Kingdom’s internal intelligence agency.

 By courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London: NPG 5261, portrait of Colquhoun Grant by George Jones from 1815-1820
 

The Defence Intelligence Staff is the main provider of strategic Defence Intelligence to the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces.

 The Art of War: Motorcycle reconnaissance troops, Cat ref: INF 3/1586
 
         
Secret Intelligence Service
Find out the history of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and learn more about spies from this period. Letter from Pompey Pellegrini to Jacopo Manucci, Cat ref: SP 94/2 part 2 f82
 
Special Branch

Special Branch was formed in March 1883 to gather, collate, analyse and exploit intelligence.

A Metropolitan policeman in ordinary duty uniform, 1912, cat ref: MEPO 13/207

Government Communications Headquarters

Find out how Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), helps to keep communication and information systems safe from hackers and other threats.
 
Joint Intelligence Committee

The origins of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) can be traced back to 1936.

 Harry Truman, Cat ref: INF 3/920
 
Related information
Find out about other organisations thathave been involved in intelligence-related activities. Marshall Semyon Timoshenko, Cat ref: INF 3/84