Throughout the world, intelligence services play an important role within a state, performing many essential functions to protect national security and the interests of the state as a whole. Among the main responsibilities of intelligence workers are intelligence gathering and analysis. Intelligence officers strive to constantly collect, verify and evaluate relevant information, whether from open or secret sources. This information is used to obtain an up-to-date and detailed overview of the threats facing the state. Through this complex process of collection and analysis, intelligence services identify potential threats to national security, such as terrorism, espionage, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, organised criminal activities and cyber threats.
With an intelligence gathering and analysis role, intelligence services provide information packages to legal beneficiaries so that they can make wise decisions and implement effective measures to counter these threats. Intelligence structures also provide information and analysis for state institutions, thus supporting the political and strategic decision-making process. Information provided to legal beneficiaries must meet standards of legality, objectivity and be relevant to internal and external threats, helping these institutions to act in the most responsible and informed way possible.
Over the years, many controversies and dilemmas have arisen in relation to the intelligence services. One of the most important dilemmas concerns the balance between security and respect for individual rights and freedoms. As outlined above, intelligence services are responsible for protecting national security and countering threats, and this requires the collection and analysis of sensitive and often confidential information. These intelligence-gathering activities involve, in general terms, monitoring communications, surveillance of suspicious activities and gathering information on citizens and organisations.
On the other hand, information collection activities can raise concerns about the rights and privacy of individuals. There is a risk that intelligence workers may abuse or overstep legal boundaries in their work, affecting the fundamental rights of citizens. This raises the question of how much power and authority intelligence services should have and what their limits are in collecting and using information.
This dilemma is about striking a delicate balance between ensuring national security and protecting individual rights and freedoms. It is important to have a clear, coherent legal framework that is up to date with the times and trends so that the intelligence services can operate within optimal parameters that serve the public interest. Also important are robust mechanisms of parliamentary oversight and scrutiny to ensure that the activities of institutions within the national intelligence community are justified and proportionate to the real threats. Transparency and accountability are also crucial to gain public trust and ensure that intelligence services act in the interests of citizens.
Resolving this dilemma requires a comprehensive approach in which authorities and civil society work together to establish and respect the boundaries and safeguards necessary to protect both national security and individual rights.
It is an ongoing process that involves open discussion and the engagement of all stakeholders to find fair and balanced solutions in a world of evolving and complex security challenges.
In the second part of the article, we will discuss intelligence oversight mechanisms and their importance in maintaining democratic balance.