Widely regarded as the inspiration for the recast of the James Bond character “M,” she was the first British spy chief to be publicly named and photographed.
Stella Rimington, who battled a fiercely protective old boy’s network to become the first woman to lead MI5, Britain’s domestic intelligence service, and whose tenure as the country’s spymaster was widely seen as an inspiration for James Bond’s first female boss in the movie franchise, died on Sunday. She was 90.
The Security Service announced her death in a statement on Monday without specifying the cause or place of death.
Her cool demeanor and reputation for quiet competence, according to Bond aficionados, helped shape the character of “M” starting with Judi Dench’s portrayal in “GoldenEye” in 1995. (The Bond movies involved a fictional agent of MI6, Britain’s foreign intelligence agency.) more
Showing posts with label #Mi5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Mi5. Show all posts
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
UK: No More Mr. Nice Guy, Spy
The day's headlines
• UK intelligence ramps up efforts to counter Russian spies
• MI5 to establish new security agency to counter Chinese hacking, espionage
According to the report, a new department of national security will be established within MI-5. Its goal will be to advise companies, research organizations, and universities that may be victims of industrial espionage. In addition, private and public entities will be able to contact the new body for advice on how to interact with partners from China and or how to safely use Chinese-made equipment...
According to the report, a new department of national security will be established within MI-5. Its goal will be to advise companies, research organizations, and universities that may be victims of industrial espionage. In addition, private and public entities will be able to contact the new body for advice on how to interact with partners from China and or how to safely use Chinese-made equipment...
London is also preparing to announce a $24 million increase in BBC funding to counter Chinese and Russian disinformation in vulnerable countries. In addition, funding for a Chinese language training program for UK diplomats will be doubled. more
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Espionage - It Still Happens and it Still Matters
The Director General of Mi5 noted in his annual threat update hostile states seeking to spy on certain governments is as old as the hills. Nevertheless, it still happens, and it still matters. Hostile States utilising someone on the ‘inside’ to acquire privileged information makes their job so much easier. Recently we have seen media coverage of a security officer at the British Embassy in Berlin arrested on suspicion of acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency.
This blog serves as a reminder that traditional spycraft does exist and importantly provides you with some high-level protective security principles that your organisation should consider. more
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