Latvian Intelligence Officers Reveal What Their Work Is Really Like 0 9

Marat* has been working at SAB for less than a year and applied for this job himself. After submitting his application, he successfully passed the selection process and was hired as an intelligence specialist. He notes that he has always wanted a job with significant meaning and contribution to society, and the geopolitical situation in the world served as an additional motivation for his service.

"I used to think — what can the intelligence services of a small state really do? Since I started working here, I have a much better understanding of our role in a broader geopolitical context. Our agency contributes, and it is significant. In the context of the war unleashed by Russia in Ukraine, I feel particularly acutely the meaning and added value of my work," Marat notes.

Nothing Is As You Imagine It...

Sarma's* story is similar. The woman has been working at SAB for two years and deals with issues related to the issuance of special permits. She notes that she has always wanted to do something for the good of the state. "When I accidentally heard on the radio that the service was opening an unprecedented opportunity — candidates could apply themselves, I immediately took advantage of it," she recounts.

Initially, she was denied the position, but later Sarma was accepted for another role in the service. SAB emphasizes that the selection of employees has its specifics, and candidates may be invited after a long time or offered a job that matches their skills, which they had not even considered before.

"For a long time, I had no idea what specific job I would be doing. I would say — nothing here is as you imagine it. You need to come with an open mind, not fixating on something strictly thought out in advance. I came, trusting that the job would suit me. And it really turned out to be to my liking and allowed me to showcase my skills," Sarma shares.

An Intelligence Officer Unveils the Veil of Mystery...

Although the service cannot disclose specific work tasks, SAB emphasizes that they have a wide range of specialists performing various functions. Intelligence officer Marat notes that his duties require "the ability to withstand stress and risk."

"It's quite an unusual lifestyle when you can't publicly reveal your professional activities," Marat says, adding that everyday work is both challenging and interesting. "For those who have acting skills in their blood, there is plenty of room to maneuver here."

"I like how my life has become now. This work keeps you constantly focused and engaged. From the very beginning, I was told that the best results are achieved if you stay true to yourself. All my talents, interests, and connections can be useful to me now. I am encouraged to use my experience and skills. This job has no formal framework. If a person is interested in learning, discovering, and trying new things, this job is for them."

"Operational work is likely not suitable for those who are too principled or quick to anger. You need to be able to put yourself in the background, to listen to information from different people. This job is also not for overly candid individuals, or for those who cannot handle stress and uncertainty in everyday life. Much will have to be publicly kept quiet. It will also be difficult for those who need everything to be explained precisely and provided with a ready-made action template," Marat concludes.

What Is Needed to Become a Spy?

To become an employee of the security service, candidates need more than just the appropriate education, skills, and interest. They must also meet the requirements set by Article 20 of the Law on State Security Authorities. This compliance, as well as other information about the candidate, is thoroughly checked.

Candidates must also pass suitability tests, answer questions in several interviews, and, depending on the specifics of the job, undergo additional checks. "The selection process is lengthy. It is important for candidates to understand this; otherwise, they may feel that interest in them has waned, when in fact, the process is just ongoing," notes Patricia*, a specialist in the SAB personnel department.

Employees are provided with opportunities to improve their qualifications in various areas relevant to their positions, as well as to acquire practical skills, such as shooting and medical training. "A good introductory briefing is provided for new employees. This is important for orientation, and not all institutions conduct it," Patricia notes.

What to Consider When Choosing a Career at SAB:

To work at SAB, a person must be a patriot of Latvia, feel a sense of belonging to this country, and want to do everything possible to strengthen its security, as every job in the service is dedicated to this goal.

Often, people do not take seriously how thoughtless actions can affect their future opportunities. However, for work in state security agencies, the "cleanliness of personal records" plays an important role. Risks include gambling addiction, excessive debt obligations, dubious financial transactions, regular contacts or trips to high-risk countries, providing false information or concealing it during checks.

Patience is required, as the selection process is lengthy and usually takes several months. But, as they say, good things come to those who wait. Where work involves state secrets and ensuring the country's security, thorough candidate checks are especially important, and haste is a poor ally here.

Working at SAB requires consideration of certain restrictions in everyday life — both during working hours and outside of them. Work in the security field has its specifics, so employees must adhere to appropriate rules. However, the long-standing experience of current employees shows that these rules are feasible and can be successfully adapted to — one just needs to be prepared for it.

Those interested in strengthening national security should apply even if there are currently no suitable offers in the vacancies section on the website www.sab.gov.lv. A suitable opportunity may still arise, as SAB employees work in a wide range of areas — intelligence, counterintelligence, protection of state secrets, cybersecurity and information processing, international cooperation, as well as oversight of critical information and communication technology infrastructure.

Finally, to ensure the office's operation, colleagues are also needed to perform various practical and support functions. Therefore, specialists from various fields can submit applications. "And who knows, perhaps we will work together to maintain the security of our common home — our Latvia," SAB notes.

*Names changed.