While intelligence and security services are key components of any state, they are also a high-risk area for corruption for two main reasons: first, they tend to be given significant powers in the service of national security. Second, their work is secretive by necessity, and involves attaining and managing often highly classified information with potential economic and political implications. The dual qualities of justified secrecy and significant powers make the intelligence services prone to corrupt activity, and make it particularly difficult to combat. Transparency InternationaI Defence and Security Programme (TI DSP) believes that intelligence and security services operate better, and civil liberties are maintained, when they are under democratic control and are accountable to the people.

A certain level of secrecy is justified, and indeed necessary, in the intelligence services. Yet secrecy often pervades not only the operational aspects of security and intelligence services, but also their budgetary procedures; in some Western countries, intelligence budgets are equal to the entire budgets of developing states. Public oversight is generally very limited. Vague legal provisions and simplified judicial procedures often create opportunities for corruption and violations of civil liberties.

One of the main functions of intelligence and security services is collection, analysis, verification, synthesis and transmission of information to state authorities. This information provides the basis for high level state decision making.  Thus, corruption in the security sector might result not only in inappropriate domestic activities, but also international state actions and decisions that could undermine and threaten national and/or international security and stability.  

Tackling corruption in the Intelligence Services

The problem of corruption in the intelligence services is highly important, urgent and as yet largely unresearched. TI-DSP believes that there are several measures that can be taken to ensure that intelligence services are accountable.

Opening the subject for discussion, for example through further research, workshops, and roundtables, is a good place to start. The TI DSP Self-Assessment Process can help countries diagnose corruption in their intelligence and security services.

Budget transparency of the intelligence services is vital. In addition, the delicate balance between confidentiality and accountability can be managed, to a certain extent, through the principle of deferred transparency – by declassifying confidential material after a period of time prescribed by law. The provisions of the law with regards to regulation of the activities of intelligence and security services should be exact and understandable.  This may involve amendments to legislation, specifically when it comes to procedures of restricting human rights and liberties, the oversight process and appeal procedures.  The law should provide appropriate protection for whistle-blowers.

Read more on Political Risks.

Read more on Our Work.