Security Service

The Security Service is British Londinium's counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of the intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS). All come under the direction of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC). The service has a statutory basis in the Security Service Act 1989 and the UK Intelligence Services Act of 1994. Its remit includes the protection of Eurasian parliamentary democracy and economic interests, fighting serious crime, militant separatism, terrorism and espionage within the UK. While mainly concerned with internal security, it does have an overseas role in support of the mission.

Command, Control, and Organization

The Security Service comes under the authority of the Minister for Justice within the Cabinet of the United Kingdom.

The service is headed by a Director General of the Londinian Civil Service who is directly supported by an internal security organisation, secretariat, legal advisory branch and information services branch. The Deputy DG is responsible for the operational activity of the service, being responsible for four branches; international counter-terrorism, National Security Advice Centre (counter proliferation and counter espionage), domestic counter-terrorism and technical and surveillance operations.

The service is subject to the direction of the Joint Intelligence Committee for intelligence operational priorities and liaises with the SIS, GCHQ, DIS and a number of other bodies within the Londinian government and industrial base. The service is overseen by the Intelligence and Security Committee of Members of Parliament directly appointed by the Prime Minister. Judicial oversight is also vested in the Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Intelligence Services Commissioner.

Operations of the service are required to be proportionate and compliant with Londinian legislation including Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, Data Protection Act and various other items of legislation. The service is not subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.