MI5 is facing a challenging “new era” as threats from foreign states like Russia, China, and Iran escalate, according to Sir Ken McCallum, the Director General of MI5. The security service is continuously uncovering schemes by hostile entities to conduct surveillance, sabotage, arson, or physical violence within the UK.
Terror investigations have reached almost record levels, with a worrisome number of children being detained last year. The top spy chief highlighted the threats to Britain’s national security in a rare public update, outlining the intelligence service’s efforts to combat these risks.
MI5 and the police have thwarted 19 advanced attack plots and intervened in numerous developing threats since 2020. Sir Ken emphasized that MI5 is now operating in a “new era,” dealing with substantially increased levels of terror investigations. He cautioned that a more antagonistic global environment is prompting significant shifts in MI5’s mission since the aftermath of 9/11.
The spectrum of terrorism threats has broadened, encompassing Islamist groups and extreme right-wing ideologies. Additionally, Al Qaeda and the Islamic State are regaining momentum and aiming to exploit instability abroad.
Sir Ken pointed out that Russia, China, and Iran have driven a surge in state-based threats to Britain, resulting in a 35% rise in the number of individuals under investigation in the past year. State actors are increasingly adopting terror-like tactics, with MI5 discovering plots from foreign states to carry out various harmful activities within the UK.
Children constituted one-fifth of the terror suspects arrested last year, as per the MI5 chief. Sir Ken highlighted the alarming trend of children’s involvement in national security inquiries, with one in five of the 232 terror-related arrests involving individuals under 17.
He expressed concerns about how terrorism thrives in obscure corners of the internet, making it challenging to discern people’s intentions online. To address the issue of youngsters being drawn to extremist violence, a new Interventions Centre of Expertise has been introduced to manage threats related to adolescents, mental health issues, or other complex risks.
Sir Ken also addressed the potential threat posed by rogue AI, emphasizing the technology’s dual nature of benefit and exploitation by state actors. He stressed the importance of considering the evolving landscape of AI capabilities and its implications for national defense strategies in the future.
Chinese espionage remains a significant daily threat to Britain’s national security, according to Sir Ken, who expressed frustration over a recent espionage trial’s collapse. While emphasizing the need to defend against China, he also highlighted the importance of leveraging opportunities in the relationship with Beijing.
Moreover, Sir Ken highlighted Russia’s disruptive activities worldwide, ranging from cyber attacks to sabotage. He warned individuals recruited online by Moscow of the risks involved, emphasizing that they could be abandoned and face severe consequences if exposed.
Regarding Iran, Sir Ken mentioned the country’s efforts to suppress opposition globally, with MI5 tracking over 20 potentially hazardous Iran-backed plots in the past year.