MI6's biggest recruitment drive to date, up to 1,000 new staff over the next four years, a 40% rise, is an indication of the profound changes facing the UK's CIA. Technological disruption is transforming traditional methods of spying; facial recognition, big data analysis, biometrics, DNA and hacking by hostile states make it practically impossible for agents to secretly operate abroad. Adding to the complexity is the need for a credible digital footprint, now an intrinsic part of an operative's fake identity.
MI6's biggest recruitment drive to date, up to 1,000 new staff over the next four years, a 40% rise, is an indication of the profound changes facing the UK's Secret Intelligence Services. Technological disruption is transforming traditional methods of spying; facial recognition, big data analysis, biometrics, DNA and hacking by hostile states make it practically impossible for agents to secretly operate abroad. Adding to the complexity is the need for a credible digital footprint, now an intrinsic part of an operative's fake identity.