Former MI5/MI6 Director On How To Become A Spy, What The Public Doesn't Know & New Threats

Ever wondered what it takes to become a real-life spy? How close are James Bond films to the reality of espionage? Join us in this exclusive interview with David Bickford, the former Legal Director of MI5 and MI6, as he delves into the fascinating world of modern-day spying.

In this revealing conversation, David shares:

🔍 How to Become a Spy: The skills, training, and mindset required to join the ranks of MI5 and MI6.

🎬 James Bond vs. Reality: An expert analysis on how accurately popular spy films portray the life of a secret agent.

🕵️ Modern-Day Espionage: How spying has evolved in the digital age, and what it looks like today.

⚠️ Biggest Threats We Face: Insight into the most significant threats to global security and how intelligence agencies work to counter them.

❓ What the Public Doesn't Know: Eye-opening revelations about the covert world of espionage and the crucial work that often goes unseen.

#mi5 #mi6 #jamesbond #SpyLife #DavidBickford #Intelligence #NationalSecurity #ModernSpying #exclusiveinterview

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any intelligence agency or government.

Chapters:

Intro - 00:00
MI5/MI6 Role - 00:48
What They're Responsible For - 01:59
How To Become A Spy - 02:10
How Are Spies Recruited? - 03:30
Do Agents Live A Normal Life? - 04:34
What Happens That The Public Doesn't Know About - 04:43
How Many Attacks Are Foiled? - 05:34
How Spies Operate Today - 05:45
The Threat Of China And Russia - 06:04
Attacks That Slip Through The Net - 06:53
Who Has The Most Authority - 07:53
Interrogation Methods That Can Be Used - 08:15
Hardest Part Of The Job - 08:38
His Prosecutions - 09:10
Is It Like The Films? - 09:18
What Is The Biggest Threat To The UK? - 09:55

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[fotografm]

You could have straightened his shirt lapel before filming !

[Tommi_D]

I wish the questions were read out loud so I can listen to this without having to look at the screen.

It spoils the whole interview

[hugojames]

Old school tie is still the most important aspect. Two examples: my former father-in-law had a lot of pressure put on him to join MI5 when he was a student at Oxford, despite the fact that he was a useless posh drunk. And a friend of mine who attended Eton school was recruited solely for that reason, and only afterwards were his MI5 handlers flabbergasted to learn that he could speak fluent Russian.

[bananapug]

Fascinating interview but hard to follow. The answer starts before I even get a chance to read the question and I can’t have subtitles on cause it gets obstructed.

[TheOfficialMinistryOfTruth]

The 'situational awareness test' is very difficult. Add to that all the other parts of the initial application process and the background checks along the way. One isn't allowed to tell anyone about your application. One isn't told how you've done on each part of the tests, only 'you're on to the next part' or 'you've not been successful'. There are English, maths and reasoning tests, all to be done in a time sensitive manner. One also has the video questionaire phase, observational skills and a mixture of other tests. If you get through all that, you're invited to Thames House or MI6's HQ for interviews and further group test scenarios. Even if you pass all that and are invited to become an IO, you're under probation and part of a small team within a department. There are a plethora of roles within 5 and 6, from data analysis, auditors, electronics, security, language experts, carpentry, right to field operatives. Expect much paperwork and little in the way of car chases.

[Muricans]

Jackson Lamb’s proper older brother. 😂

[petesmith]

Fixes his mic but not his collar….for fucks sake what about when they framed the podium?

[harveypotts]

It seemingly cuts out important bits like "will the UK experience another war"

[Listener]

You asked the question wrong: You needed to ask instead, "What's the operation you ran that was closest to a James Bond movie?" That's worth another video.

[RealMalta-fxsx]

"Terrorists weren't being prosecuted". I can believe THAT bit. Nothing has changed.

[mickyday]

No discrimination but an old school tie helps

[SaintsofAvalon]

I passed the online selection but hadn't attended uni so couldn't progress the application .
Would have thought a yorkshire man with a local ( common) accent and 9 year's service behind me and running a landscaping business at the time would have been perfect to blend in to local communities and infiltrate - But nope, needed to have a degree at the time .

[RealMalta-fxsx]

"The target you lost sight of goes ahead and succeeds" oh yes, that RINGS A BELL. You want names?

[dylanaustin]

I'd actually do it, I might put an application in. I'd be really into it

[CastleHassall]

it's dumb to have very set very strict criteria on the "type" of history and characteristics a person should have, to be working on problem solving.. it's been proven that it is really good to get people from OUTWITH s field to look at problems as they think outside the box, and can see, or do, things that people within the field can't see/think like/do.. and people change through time.. People who were punks 20 years ago can be conservative now.. i bet loads of people who could be Great in those roles get rejected when really they'd be great assets to a company

[jancovanderwesthuizen]

“Putin has his eye on Ukraine”

Shit Dave, you don’t say

[uwe]

Is this John Cleese from Monty Python ? His edge from his shirt is going upwards. Maybe a secret signal ? What does it mean ? 😂 Is it about shirt integrity ? Give me an appointment. So funny 😂😊

[DougDeYoung-gtid]

Nice freudian slip there, buddy. What United Kingdom do you refer to, five eyes?

[NewMinority]

That shirt lapel is messing with my feng shui

[edwardmclaughlin]

Were you at Eton and then Oxbridge?
Yes.
When could you start?