[ GCHQ aka Government Communications Headquarters ]
Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is a British
intelligence agency responsible for providing signals intelligence (SIGINT) and Information Assurance to the British government and armed forces. Based in
Cheltenham (with two smaller sites in Yorkshire and Cornwall) it operates under
the guidance of the Joint Intelligence Committee and employs around 5,300
people. It was formed in 1919 and is currently headed by Sir
Iain Lobban KCMG CB (July 2008–present). (You can read more about the origins of GCHQ on our History page.)
GCHQ's intelligence successes rely upon staying ahead and maintaining an advantage over those that would damage UK interests. Therefore, it is usually the case that GCHQ will not disclose information about their operations and methods. The Intelligence Services Act 1994 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 underpin activities at GCHQ. The purposes for which they intercept information are set out explicitly in these Acts:
GCHQ's intelligence successes rely upon staying ahead and maintaining an advantage over those that would damage UK interests. Therefore, it is usually the case that GCHQ will not disclose information about their operations and methods. The Intelligence Services Act 1994 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 underpin activities at GCHQ. The purposes for which they intercept information are set out explicitly in these Acts:
- national security,
- safeguarding our economic well being
- prevention and detection of serious crime