Spy services in ‘tech arms race’ against ‘dark side of globalization’ – MI6 chief

Speaking at his first public engagement since taking the helm of the security agency last year, Alex Younger said the country was facing threats from agents who were “unconstrained by the ethics of law.”

Younger told a privately invited audience in London that traditional modes of spying were increasingly becoming interspersed with “technological operations,” with opponents using internet technology to create threats to national security.

He said the use of ‘big data’ had allowed the security agencies to “sharpen some very human characteristics” of their work.

“Using data appropriately and proportionately offers us a priceless opportunity to be even more deliberate and targeted in what we do, and so to be better at protecting our agents and this country,” he said.

He acknowledged, however, that the increased use of technology would make the agencies vulnerable to cybercriminals.

“The bad news is the same technology in opposition hands, an opposition often unconstrained by consideration of ethics and law, allows them to see what we are doing and to put our people and agents at risk,” he said.

“So we find ourselves in a technology arms race. Contrary to myth, human intelligence operations are not an alternative to technical operations – the two are interdependent and set to become more so.”

He described the threats faced by Britain’s security agencies as “the dark side of globalization,” which included “terrorists, malicious actors in cyberspace and criminals.”

READ MORE: ‘Torturing terror suspects produces useful intelligence’ – ex-MI6 director

“As I speak there are SIS [MI6] officers serving in some of the most dangerous and forbidding places on the planet,” he said.

“Others are operating under deep cover, unable to reveal the real nature of their work, or sometimes even their identity. This takes a particular type of bravery and resilience.”

Younger paid tribute to the work of the security services in the recent wars in the Middle East.

“I am particularly proud of the way in which our work with the military developed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Put bluntly, work done by SIS and GCHQ saved many British and coalition lives.”

He also defended the work of the intelligence and security system. Despite coming under heavy criticism, its work was essential to maintain public trust in the security agencies, he said.

“What really distinguishes us from our opponents is that we live by the values of this country and are regulated by its laws, even as we work in secret. This is our vital advantage,” said Younger.

“Our staff are asked to make complex decisions in a difficult ethical and legal space. They do so with remarkable assurance. If we make mistakes, we face up to them and learn from them.

“The guiding principle is clear – we cannot protect the values this country represents if we undermine them in the process. And we cannot hope to hold the public’s trust unless they know this principle is effectively overseen.”