GCHQ
TOP SECRET: GCHQ is a world-leading intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe
Pioneering a new kind of security for an ever more complex world
It is GCHQ’s job to stay one step ahead of those who would do our nation and its people harm. From managing the cyber threat posed by other nation states to preventing terrorist attacks, keeping our children safe online and supporting our armed forces, the exceptional men and women of GCHQ operate on the frontline of global challenges. The newest part of GCHQ, the National Cyber Security Centre, is helping to make the UK the safest place to live and do business online.
As our adversaries work in secret, so too must GCHQ. We cannot reveal publicly everything that we do, but we set great store by being as open as possible about our activities. We work under one of the most stringent legal and oversight regimes in the world, including the new Investigatory Powers Act. Our operations are authorised by the Foreign Secretary, in line with priorities set by the Prime Minister and the National Security Council. Parliamentary oversight is provided by the Intelligence & Security Committee, while regular scrutiny by independent judicial Commissioners ensures that our activities are always authorised, necessary and proportionate.
