Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)
GCHQ has
two main missions: gathering intelligence through the interception of
communications (known as "Signals Intelligence", or Sigint) and
providing services and advice as the UK's national technical authority for
Information Assurance.
GCHQ's Sigint work
provides intelligence in support of Government decision-making in the
fields of national security, military operations and law enforcement. It
provides essential intelligence in the battle against terrorism and also
contributes to the prevention of serious crime.
Information Assurance helps to keep Government communication and
information systems safe. It also helps those responsible for the UK's
critical national infrastructure (power, water, communications etc.) to
keep their networks safe from interference and disruption. GCHQ works
closely with the Security Service,
other government departments and industry to ensure that sensitive
information in such systems is properly protected for the national good.
GCHQ was placed on a statutory basis by the Intelligence
Services Act 1994[External website]. This Act and
subsequent legislation defines the boundaries for GCHQ's activities.
Within these boundaries, the choice of what to intercept and report to
government departments and military commands is, as for SIS, based on
requirements and priorities established by the
Joint Intelligence Committee and approved by Ministers.
The Foreign Secretary is answerable to Parliament for the work of GCHQ.
GCHQ was established in 1919 as the Government Code and Cypher School and
adopted its present name in 1946. Its successes during the Second World
War, when its headquarters were at Bletchley Park, are now well known.
GCHQ has been based in Cheltenham since 1952. The current Director is Sir
David Pepper, who took office in April 2003.
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