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. The scale of this challenge has been underscored in recent months when two senior officers were forced out after admitting they had lied about their involvement with GCHQ.
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.