Security Service personnel
Security Service personnel protect the UK against threats to national security.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties will vary according to your role. You could:
- collect information on threats to national security
- watch and report on suspects' movements and actions
- use specialist IT or electronics equipment to record and observe activities
- make decisions about potential threats
- support and troubleshoot IT systems
- develop software systems
- provide administrative support in departments like finance or HR
Working environment
You could work at a police station, in an office or in a control room.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding, outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With experience and a good performance record, you could move into management. You could also move to another station in the UK or apply for opportunities with SIS (Secret Intelligence Service MI6) and GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters).
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of public safety and security
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to use your initiative
- complex problem-solving skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- be a British citizen
- be over 18 years of age
Due to the sensitive nature of the work, you have to undergo background checks, which could include detailed questions about your life. You also have to provide work and character references. You can get more information about the vetting process and eligibility from the Security Service MI5.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
Different roles in the security services have different entry routes.
To enter the Security Service with a degree, you'll need a pass at upper second class or higher. Relevant degree subjects include:
- history
- languages
- politics
- economics
- maths
- law
With a degree you can apply for job roles, like:
- intelligence analyst
- internet and computer technology specialist
- security exploitation officer
- foreign language analyst
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You could apply for one of the MI5 technical apprenticeships like:
- infrastructure engineering apprenticeship
- software engineer degree apprenticeship
You will need to apply directly to the Security Service MI5 to gain a place on one of these apprenticeships.
More Information
For some roles within the Security Service, like foreign language analyst or security guard, you would not need any specific qualifications. Entry would be based on the experience and skills you could bring to the role, for instance fluency in a language like Russian or Mandarin.
There could also be opportunities for you if you have technical, vocational or professional qualifications in subjects like electronics or accountancy.
For support jobs such as business officer or administration assistant, you may need five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent including English and maths, or have relevant office-based experience.
Further information
You can find out more about careers and training in this field from the Security Service MI5.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.