My debut novel, “From Terror to Valor: Echoes and Shadows”, will soon be available for pre-order. It has a complex plot that shines a light on the real world of intelligence operations. Security and intelligence organizations can never stand still in their mission to protect their nation and its people.
Just like my novel’s protagonist, Jack Debaut, and his discovery of a cunning adversary that can subvert normal security practices; the UK’s MI5 intelligence service has not stood still on the global security stage. They added an important new body to their portfolio, in order to fill the gap between physical, and digital, national security threats.
Doubt lingers despite progress
In 2023, MI5 launched the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) with this particular remit. They describe this new body as having a mandate to “help businesses and organisations defend themselves against national security threats”. They also state this body “will play an important part in strengthening our country’s economic security.”
Despite the clear mandate given from the UK Government to MI5, I recall news circulating on social media and elsewhere painting this body as a Tory (conservative leaning) party clampdown on illegal cross-channel immigration. Regardless of hostile politics, we should not underestimate the importance of such an organization in the current security climate.
On a similar note, FBI International has a mission to partner with public and private bodies on behalf of the United States. While covering the 2022 ZeroDayCon cybersecurity conference for Irish Tech News, I recall a fascinating conversation with the FBI’s Eric Smithmier, Assistant Legal Attaché to the US Embassy in London.
We chatted about cybersecurity related areas, noting communication was the common denominator in proactively addressing attacks on critical infrastructure. This concept of closing the communication gap between public and private bodies is a noted feature of the NPSA’s products and services.
An effective intelligence mindset
This mindset of partnering with public and private bodies to address security threats is holistic, and a threat centric solution for the modern era. The new arm of MI5 has embraced this in the NPSA, who offers protective security, advice, threat information, plus more.
It is important to note that, similar to FBI International, they emphasize communication and partnerships in the delivery of their services. I can see five of the six services developed around these concepts. These five services also enhance the effectiveness of Protective Security, which is the sixth service offered.
My debut novel, “From Terror to Valor: Echoes and Shadows,” also explores the value of communication for the main characters and how they manage their respective roles in this fictitious story. The ever changing world we live in has sped up with the modern web and its interactive influence on our lives. It comes as no surprise that security and intelligence organizations have also changed. They are becoming more flexible and dynamic in their role as nation gatekeepers and defenders.
About the Author
John is a versatile author known for his gripping fiction narratives in the thriller, action, and suspense genres. With a background as a Journalist since 2016, and expertise in cloud technologies as an engineer; John brings a unique blend of storytelling prowess and technical acumen to his work.
