Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Security Information Service (BIS)

Bezpečnostní informační služba (BIS), is the Czech Security Information Service. 

The BIS has its headquarters in Prague and, with about 1.000 employees, it reports directly to the Prime Minister and the President and it is overseen by a permanent commission of the Chamber of Deputies.

It is the country's domestic intelligence agency and is responsible for Czech Republic's national security both here and abroad.  The primary focus is on terrorism, counter-intelligence, cybersecurity, organised crime and proliferation.

Its motto is Audi, Vide, Tace, which means "Hear, See, Be silent."

The BIS is not the direct successor of the StB, the Czechoslovak secret police, which was dissolved in 1990.  The service has no police powers so it can't detain, arrest or interrogate suspects.

Here's a short video I found out on YouTube about the BIS.  It's in Czech so at least you'll get to hear what Czech sounds like. 

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