Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo) expands recruitment – language skills and cooperation with Estonia's Internal Security Service take centre stage

When the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo) recently put out a public job advertisement looking for skilled people with language abilities, it was no routine recruitment drive. It was a signal. For those of us who follow security policy, this is a clear sign that the playbook has been thrown out. The world is changing, and we have to change with it. In this piece, I'll dive into what Supo's new focus areas mean, how they connect with the equivalent agency in our neighbouring country Estonia, the Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitseamet), and most importantly, what we should make of all this from a business and security perspective.

Why does Supo need language skills now?

The security environment just isn't what it was ten years ago. Hybrid influence, disinformation and cyber threats are part of everyday life. Traditional espionage has taken on new forms. In this world, the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo) can no longer rely solely on traditional intelligence methods. It needs people who understand cultures, can read local social media channels, and are able to analyse subtle signals. That's why the job advertisement highlights languages like Russian, Chinese, Arabic and certain Eastern European languages. This is a direct reflection of where the biggest threats are now coming from.

Supo's job isn't just to protect Finland from external threats. It's also about being proactive. Language skills provide a way to tap into precisely those conversations and networks that might be emerging. It's about prevention. We need to have our own eyes and ears where decisions are being made.

The connection to Estonia and the Kaitsepolitseiamet

It's interesting that at the same time Supo is bolstering its language skills, our neighbours in Estonia are doing the same with their own security police, the Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitseiamet). This is no coincidence. Finland and Estonia share the same geographical and geopolitical reality. We have a common enemy – or at least common challenges – in the Baltic Sea region.

Cooperation between Supo and the Kaitsepolitseiamet has intensified dramatically in recent years. It's no longer just polite information exchange at meetings. It's about operational partnership. Intelligence is shared in real-time, joint operations are planned, and staff are cross-trained. This duo – Helsinki and Tallinn – is becoming the backbone of intelligence in the Baltic Sea region. And in this work, language skills are naturally key. The common working language is often English, but when you need to dig deep into Russian-language or, say, Chinese-language material, you specifically need that specialised expertise.

What does this mean for the security industry business?

All of this also has a clear commercial dimension. When government agencies like the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo) and the Kaitsepolitseiamet invest in specific areas, it creates demand in the private sector too. I'm talking about concrete business opportunities here:

• Language services and translation agencies: The need for high-quality, classified translations is growing. The so-called "rare languages" are particularly in high demand right now. Companies that can offer not just technical translation, but also cultural context, are worth their weight in gold.
• Training and simulations: Both Supo and private operators (e.g., banks, critical infrastructure) need training that practises things like identifying disinformation or preparing for hybrid threats. This is a rapidly growing market.
• Technology and analytics: Processing and analysing large data sets requires new tools. AI-powered language analytics solutions that can sift through relevant information on, say, Russian-language forums, are hot property right now.

So, the Finnish Security Intelligence Service's (Supo) recruitment campaign isn't just an internal agency matter. It's an indication of the direction the entire security sector is heading. Those who recognise this direction among the first will also be able to react correctly in their own business operations.

In conclusion: The new normal

We have moved into an era where national security is in a constant state of flux. Supo is no longer that distant, grey agency that few knew anything about. It's a key player actively working to ensure Finland stays one step ahead. Cooperation with Estonia's Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitseamet) is crucial here. Their joint investment in language skills and new types of expertise is a direct response to the threats we all face. This development isn't going to stop. On the contrary, it's accelerating. And that means authorities and businesses alike must be ready to invest in expertise, language skills, and cross-border cooperation – not just for tomorrow's security, but to guarantee today's as well.