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

When the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo) recently published an open recruitment advertisement seeking linguistically skilled experts, it was no routine hire. It was a signal. For those of us who follow security policy, this is a clear indication that the playbook has been rewritten. The world is changing, and with it, we must change too. In this piece, I 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 part of everyday life. Traditional espionage has taken on new forms. In this world, the Finnish Security Intelligence Service can no longer rely solely on traditional intelligence methods. It needs people who understand cultures, can read local social media channels, and are capable of analysing subtle signals. This is why the job advertisement emphasises languages such as Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and certain Eastern European languages. It's a direct reflection of where the biggest threats are now emerging.

Supo's task is not only to protect Finland from external threats. It is also about anticipation. Language skills provide a way to tap into precisely those conversations and networks that may be emerging. 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 Supo is strengthening its language skills, 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 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 information is shared in real-time, joint operations are planned, and personnel are cross-trained. This duo – Helsinki and Tallinn – is forming 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 to delve deep into Russian-language or, say, Chinese-language material, specific expertise is precisely what's 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 Intelligence Service and the Kaitsepolitseiamet invest in specific areas, it creates demand in the private sector too. I'm talking here about concrete business opportunities:

• Language services and translation agencies: The need for high-quality, classified translations is growing. Particularly the so-called 'rare languages' are now in high demand. 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, for example, identifying disinformation or preparing for hybrid threats. This is a rapidly growing market.
• Technology and analytics: Processing and analysing large data masses requires new tools. AI-based language analytics solutions that can sift through relevant information on, say, Russian-language forums, are now hot property.

The Finnish Security Intelligence Service's recruitment campaign is therefore not just an internal administrative 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 is a key player actively working to ensure Finland stays one step ahead. Cooperation with Estonia's Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitseiamet) 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 businesses must be ready to invest in expertise, language skills, and cross-border cooperation – not just to guarantee tomorrow's security, but today's as well.