MI6 's biggest recruitment increase to date , up to 1,000 new recruits 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 agents make it practically impossible for agents to secretly spy abroad . Adding to the internet 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.