Innovation in the shade: the difficulties for secret services
‘Intelligence and security services need to adapt urgently to their constantly changing environment,’ says Professor by Special Appointment Bas Rietjens in his inaugural lecture. In the light of new threats such as hybrid warfare and cyber-attacks, the security services need to innovate. But their aura of mystery can seriously get in the way of innovation.
Intelligence and security services collect, analyse and protect information that is important for national security. ‘Previously, intelligence issues were regarded as puzzles. You knew what the scope was, what you were looking for, found the missing pieces and completed the puzzle,’ Bas Rietjens (professor by special appointment in War and Conflict) explains. ‘Things aren’t like that anymore. The threat is spread over so many axes that you have to take everything into account. These are the unknown unknowns: threats we aren’t aware of that are only recognised as such at a later stage. Things are no longer so clear-cut.’
‘Innovation is about changes in daily working methods, personnel policy and other organisational processes.'
Broad innovation
This is what makes innovations so important. When we think of innovations in the field of intelligence, we often think of radical changes that have a major impact, particularly in the area of technology. But, according to Rietjens, innovation is a lot broader than that: ‘Innovation is about changes in daily working methods, personnel policy and other organisational processes.’
Small margin of error
The culture of an organisation is an important factor for innovation. The culture of intelligence services is bureaucratic and highly focused on secrecy, which makes it difficult to cooperate with external bodies. ‘Moreover, society and politics will only accept a very small margin of error. Everything has to be strictly regulated, which runs counter to a creative and innovative culture.’
Whereas intelligence services used to be at the forefront in innovation, they are currently being overtaken by big tech companies. ‘I see that these companies would like to make a contribution to security in the Netherlands. What is important now is that the security services work together with organisations that have the right expertise, in spite of the difficulties this may cause with security. They simply can’t do this on their own anymore.’
'I build up trust relationships within the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Armed Forces (Krijgsmacht). '
Critical friends
Rietjens conducts research on intelligence in the context of defence, both at strategic level and during military operations. How does he carry out his research within the secret services? ‘The key words are trust and integrity. I build up trust relationships within the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Armed Forces (Krigsmacht). As well as literature research, empirical research is crucial. My students and I collect data based on policy documents and a lot of interviews, always in coordination with the relevant services. It is a matter of conducting research that is as balanced as possible. In other words, we are critical friends.’
Contributions to peace and security
Despite the increasingly difficult circumstances, there is more scope within the services for informed analysis, reflection and improvement. 'This is partly due to the recruitment of new people: young professionals with a high level of education and an idealistic disposition. They want to make a real contribution to peace and security.’
In the future, Rietjens wants to build further on the findings he shares in his inaugural lecture. ‘I want to research how different countries and organisations carry out their work, compare the outcomes and see what we can learn from one another. I also want to encourage students to work in the security domain after they’ve graduated.’
Innovating in secret organisations
Bas Rietjens will deliver his inaugural lecture ‘Innovating in secret organisations’ on Friday 5 July. In his lecture he will talk about how intelligence and security services innovate, and about the challenges they face. To what extent does the aura of mystery inhibit them?
Text: Jip de Bloois
Banner photo: Dutch Ministry of Defence