
FAQ
What is an Intelligence Service?
An Intelligence Service is a state institution that obtains information by its own means and procedures in order to produce intelligence to assist the authorities in the decision-making process.
How can I apply for a job at the CNI?
You should send your CV through the website . If we think that your profile fits a vacancy, we will contact you to carry out a selection process.
I am thinking about working in the CNI, but I do not know if my profile fits with what the organization is looking for
The work of the Intelligence Services is carried out by people with very varied professional profiles and academic knowledge. What you really have to ask yourself is:
- Am I willing to serve my country?
- Am I prepared for long work days with a high level of demand?
- Do I care that the peculiarities of the work may interfere with my private life?
- Am I a discreet person, capable of keeping confidentiality regarding my job?
I have finished my studies, or I am about to finish them, and I would like to know if I can do an internship at the CNI.
At the moment this is not an option; this type of work placement is not currently contemplated, although we are aware of the relevance and interest it arouses in young people starting their professional careers.
If I have already sent my CV, do I have to send it again if I obtain a new degree?
If there are substantial changes in your personal or professional details in relation to your academic background or experience, it is important that you send us your CV again.
What does a selection process consist of?
Selection processes vary in duration depending on the positions for which you are applying, although as a general rule a period of between 3 and 6 months is established. Candidates whose CVs match the job profile will be contacted by the Recruitment Department. They will be assessed on personality and competence aspects; in addition, they will have to pass a technical phase related to the job and at least one personal interview. It will also be necessary to obtain a security clearance. For certain posts, psychophysical tests are required.
What can I expect from my professional career at the CNI?
The CNI is a dynamic organization that offers its members the opportunity to develop professionally in various fields of knowledge. Change and adaptation to new realities mean that continued training is one of our priorities. On the other hand, the possibility of working in an international environment is also open to CNI staff.
If I go through the selection process, will I become a civil servant?
The CNI is a public institution of the State that has autonomy in the management of its personnel. The members of the CNI are subject to a specific Personnel Statute that does not consider them civil servants, but statutory personnel of the CNI.
What are the collection procedures used by the CNI?
The CNI obtains information from human sources (HUMINT), technical sources (SIGINT), images and geographical information (GEOINT) and open sources (OSINT). The legislation also gives it the capacity to use its own collection procedures which, in some cases, are subject to a priori judicial control. Another essential source of information is the cooperation with law enforcement agencies and with other Intelligence Services.
To whom does the CNI provide information?
The CNI is an institution at the service of the State. The main recipient of the information produced by the CNI is the president of the Government and the national Government. However, depending on its content, each Intelligence report is sent to different Government authorities. The CNI also occasionally provides information to the Congress, the Senate, regional authorities, and political parties. The CNI also sends its reports to counterpart Intelligence Services, within the framework of the collaboration agreements in force and with the aim of fighting global threats.
How is the CNI different from other entities that produce assessment?
The work of an Intelligence service differs from that carried out by the media and study centres both in the type of information it handles and in the degree of immediacy of the reports produced.
The information used by the Intelligence services is not public and it is obtained by special procedures which gives it great added value.
The Government expects the Service to provide it with the necessary intelligence to prevent and avert any risk or threat affecting Spain's independence and integrity, national interests and the stability of the rule of law and its institutions.
To what extent does the CNI contribute to national security?
The State Intelligence and Information Services, in accordance with the scope of their competences, permanently support the National Security System, providing elements of judgement, information, assessment, studies and proposals necessary to prevent and detect risks and threats and to contribute to their neutralisation.
What is the CNI’s relationship with society like?
In recent years, the CNI has substantially modified its relationship with society, which is, in fact, the final recipient of its effort, since we are an instrument to guarantee its safety and well-being. The CNI activity, which as a legal requirement must remain secret, offers a service to society.
Who is the CNI accountable to?
From an organizational perspective, the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia is under the Ministry of Defence, but its structure, economic-budgetary system and personnel are developed in a system of functional autonomy under the figure of a public body with its own legal personality and full capacity to act. The CNI's objectives are defined by the Government and approved annually by the Council of Ministers, and are set out in the Intelligence Directive. The CNI will act under the principles of efficiency, specialisation and coordination, in accordance with the Intelligence objectives defined by the Government.
Is it possible to know about the activities of the CNI in detail?
The activities of the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia, as well as its organization and internal structure, means and procedures, personnel, facilities, databases and data centres, sources of information and the information or data that may lead to knowledge of the above matters are classified as secret.