The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 (Military Intelligence, Section 5) is the United Kingdom's counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of the intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS or MI6), GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) and the Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS). All come under the direction of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC).
Its remit includes the protection of British parliamentary democracy and economic interests, counter-terrorism and counter-espionage within the UK. While mainly concerned with internal security, it does have an overseas role in support of its mission.
Conversely, to ensure that the Home Secretary is responsible for intelligence operations within the UK, the Service may act on behalf of SIS and GCHQ even if the operation is outside its own functions (SIS and GCHQ report to the Foreign Secretary).
The service has had a national headquarters at Thames House on Millbank in London since 1995, drawing together personnel from a number of locations into a single HQ facility. Thames House is shared with the Northern Ireland Office and is also home to the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, a subordinate organisation to the Security Service.
It has been alleged that the Service has regional facilities with one claimed to be in Glasgow.
MI5 employs 2,200 people from its base at Thames House on Millbank in London, although there are plans to expand numbers to 3,000 or more by 2010.
MI5 employs approximately 60 graduates each year as "Desk Officers". Each year approximately 10,000 people apply for graduate jobs at MI5.
MI5 are looking for graduates with a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree and at least one year's work experience, although the organisation may consider applicants without a degree who have the skills and wider life experience to undertake the work.
Starting salaries for graduates at MI5 are approximately £25,000 plus benefits.
Graduate jobs are based in London, although some overseas work may be required.
The graduate recruitment process at MI5 is rigorous, from the qualifying test to the final-round selection board. Discretion is essential and would-be applicants are warned not to discuss their career plans with anyone other than their immediate family. It can take nine months between first applying and receiving a job offer.
The Application process varies both in time-scale and dependant on the role applied for, but generally it follows the form of