Finnish Security and Intelligence Service expands recruitment – language skills and cooperation with Estonian Internal Security Service take centre stage

When the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) recently published an open recruitment advertisement seeking linguistically skilled professionals, it was no routine hiring process. It was a signal. For those of us who follow security policy, this is a clear indication that the rulebook has been torn up. The world is changing, and we must change with it. In this piece, I will delve into what Supo's new priorities mean, how they connect with the equivalent agency in our neighbouring country, Estonia's Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitseiamet), and, most importantly, what we should make of all this from a business and security perspective.

Why does Supo now need language skills?

The security environment is no longer what it was ten years ago. Hybrid influence, disinformation and cyber threats are now part of everyday life. Traditional espionage has taken on new forms. In this world, the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service can no longer rely solely on conventional intelligence methods. It needs people who understand cultures, can navigate local social media channels and are able to analyse subtle signals. That is why the job advertisement emphasises languages such as Russian, Chinese, Arabic and certain Eastern European languages. This is a direct reflection of where the most significant threats are now emerging.

Supo's role is not just to protect Finland from external threats. It is also about anticipation. Language skills provide a gateway into precisely those conversations and networks that may be forming. It's about prevention. We need to have our own eyes and ears where decisions are being made.

The connection with Estonia and the Kaitsepolitseiamet

It is interesting that at the same time as Supo is strengthening its language capabilities, our neighbour Estonia's own security police, the Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitseiamet), is doing the same. This is no coincidence. Finland and Estonia share the same geographical and geopolitical reality. We have a common adversary – or at least shared challenges – in the Baltic Sea region.

Cooperation between Supo and the Estonian Internal Security Service has intensified dramatically in recent years. It is no longer just polite information exchange at meetings. It is about operational partnership. Intelligence is shared in real-time, joint operations are planned, and personnel are cross-trained. This duo – Helsinki and Tallinn – is emerging as 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 it comes to delving deep into Russian-language or, say, Chinese-language material, specific expertise is precisely what is needed.

What does this mean for the security business sector?

All of this also has a clear commercial dimension. When state actors like the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service and the Estonian Internal Security Service invest in specific areas, it creates demand in the private sector too. I am talking about concrete business opportunities:

• Language services and translation agencies: The need for high-quality, classified translations is growing. So-called 'rare languages' are particularly in high demand 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) require training to practise, for example, 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-based linguistic analytics solutions capable of sifting relevant information from, say, Russian-language forums, are now highly sought after.

The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service's recruitment campaign is therefore not just an internal matter for the authorities. It is an indication of the direction the entire security sector is heading. Those who recognise this direction among the first will also be able to respond 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 remote, grey agency that few knew anything about. It is a key player actively working to ensure Finland stays one step ahead. Cooperation with Estonia's Internal Security Service 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 will not stop. On the contrary, it will accelerate. And that means that both authorities and companies must be ready to invest in expertise, language skills and cross-border cooperation – to guarantee security not just for tomorrow, but for today as well.