Belgium’s military intelligence service, the ADIV, carried out some 300,000 security vettings on job applicants at the defence ministry or for other companies requesting the checks last year. The figure has risen in recent years and represents a 70 per cent increase over the past two years. In this way, the authorities avoid that sensitive information ends up in the wrong hands.
Military intelligence is vetting more and more people: ‘We were naïve for too long’
Colin Clapson
Published:
The threat level with regard to espionage and foreign interference has continued to rise over the past year, the Belgian military intelligence agency ADIV says in its latest annual report.
This is being felt also in the number of security vettings carried out by the ADIV.
Applicants who want to work for the defence ministry or other companies where sensitive information is treated first need to undergo a security vetting. These are companies in critical sectors, such as aviation or the ports.
On average, 300,000 security verifications a year are currently carried out , ADIV says. That is a 70 per cent increase in the number over the past 2 years. To clarify, one person can undergo multiple vettings.
‘That's a lot of work for my staff,’ says Major General Stéphane Dutron, ADIV’s head. ‘Although we are not the only agency involved. The security vettings or screenings are carried out within the structure of the National Security Authority with partners in the police. It's a huge amount work, but quite necessary.’
Naive for a long time
‘We have been naive for a very long time,’ Maj Gen Dutron continues. ‘We no longer saw the threat and thought everything could be done calmly. Unfortunately, that was not the case.’
‘Now we are taking fewer risks. The increase may be linked to the fact that we have woken up to reality during the past few years.’ Especially after the attacks in our country, it became clear ‘that things had to be done in a better way and that the threat is pervasive’.
Some 500 security clearances were revoked last year, according to Maj Gen Dutron. ‘Some of the vettings showed people did not have the values needed to work in the sector or in the defence ministry’.