Security Service

Azerbaijan
Baku intelligence prioritises cyber upgrades

Hoping to tap into the exodus of Russian and Ukrainian IT experts to boost their own pool of experts, the Azerbaijani intelligence services are determined to modernise their cyber ecosystem.

Europe, Georgia, United States
UE and US use tried and tested methods for security reform in Tbilisi

After refusing Georgia the status of candidate for European Union membership, Brussels is pushing the country to relaunch major reform programmes. National security is an area that has come under particular criticism, both in defence and intelligence.

Spotlight | France
DGSE reform: The DR is dead, long live the DR !

The reform of France's external intelligence service, the DGSE, which was published on 16 July, looks to have signed the death warrant of its intelligence department, Direction du Renseignement (DR). Former DR executives remain as influential as ever, however, in the new structure.

Belgium, China
Belgium wants its intelligence services to keep tabs on Chinese investments

The draft law aimed at creating a body to "filter" foreign investments, which is in line with the approach taken by more and more European countries, has met with reluctance from Standing Committee R.

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
JS Held, Raedas, K2, Kic Systems, Exera

Appointments, financial results, new contracts: each week, we report on events both big and small that matter in the global corporate intelligence community. This week, we go to New York, Washington and Brussels.

New York Dookhie leaves K2 for NYU

Washington Yearwood, from FTI to JS Held

Brussels CJUE relieves Kic Systems client of corruption charges

Washington Raedas chooses a connoisseur of the village

Brussels EU security service provider renewed in Myanmar

Russia
From Moscow to Ukraine, demand for Rosgvardia continues to grow

The Russian paramilitary security service Rosgvardia is being stretched to its limits, as it is being deployed in the conquered areas of Ukraine and in its homeland, where the Ministry of the Interior needs it to ensure officials' safety.

United Kingdom
British intelligence revamps in face of extreme right-wing terrorism

Increasingly concerned by the threat of extreme right-wing terrorism, the government has put MI5 on the frontline of its counter efforts. The Intelligence and Security Committee is taking stock of these developments.

Denmark
Navigate Public Affairs unsettles its competitors on the Danish defence market

As the war in Ukraine goes on, the Scandinavian countries, which are looking to rearm, are becoming an increasingly attractive market for public affairs operators. In Copenhagen, Navigate is looking to become the go-to firm for local and foreign defence groups.

France
French intelligence community seeks closer contact with justice ministry

France's DGSE is leading a push by the intelligence community to have closer cooperation with - and more information from - the justice ministry.

Spotlight | United Kingdom
London unnerved by proposed Ultra Electronics buyout

One of British intelligence's main cyber offensive providers, Ultra Electronics is about to pass into the hands of its fellow British firm Cobham, which itself has been owned by US private equity firm Advent International since 2020.

Belgium, France, United Kingdom
Paris, Brussels and London strengthen their intelligence cooperation in the Channel

As the number of migrants trying to cross their shared maritime borders increases, the United Kingdom, France and Belgium are increasingly sharing their intelligence on the subject, generating new business opportunities for the surveillance sector.

The Agencies' Gazette
Cairo shifts view on Syria, DGSE on Order of Liberation board, drones for Portuguese military, ex-FSO to Russian Security Council, CIA moles

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets of news, big and small, from the global intelligence community. This week we hone in on Cairo, Moscow, Lisbon and Paris.

Egypt/Syria Cairo shifts position on Syria's return to Arab League

Portugal Military intelligence eyes US drones

Russia Yet another ex-FSO officer joins Security Council

France DGSE wants seat on Order of the Liberation board

United States Baer vs Redmond, score settling between former CIA officers over a book

Oman
Al Naamani, still at Oman's security helm, tries to save Yemen ceasefire

Despite the political rivalries in Oman, Mohammed Al Naamani remains firmly in place as Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's security chief. He has recently been instructed to continue with his mediation with Saudi Arabia on Yemen.

Germany
Germany tightens the screws on control of domestic intelligence

On top of changes in its leadership, the BfV, Germany's domestic intelligence service, is also readying itself for an extra layer of command, in the form of a supervisory body.

Uzbekistan
With new monopoly, National Guard eats further into SGB's powers

A veritable incubator of trusted men for Uzbek President Mirziyoyev, the National Guard continues to gain power over the historic intelligence service inherited from the KGB, the SGB. Its latest prerogative is to become the sole provider of security services to the private sector.

France, South Korea
South Korean intelligence eyes up Aleph Networks' cyber tools

French dark web specialist Aleph Networks' tools are attracting interest from Seoul's intelligence services. Struggling with their neighbour, North Korea, the services are in the midst of a major overhaul and are working hard to develop their cyber capacities.

France
ChapsVision and Thales take charge of Grand Cyber's CTI component

Two consortia have come up with proposals for strong Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) packages for the French intelligence services. One is led by French big data analysis specialist ChapsVision, the other by defence electronics group Thales.