Subjects of oversight
The scope of the Intelligence Ombudsman’s oversight authority includes civilian and military intelligence activities and the prevention and detection of offences of treason, high treason and terrorism by the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, and prevention and detection of offences related to military national defense by the Defence Command.
The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service is responsible for civilian intelligence and the military intelligence authorities for military intelligence. The duties of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service and the military intelligence authorities also include the prevention and detection of offences threatening national security.
The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) is an agency under the Ministry of the Interior.
The military intelligence authorities are the Intelligence Division of Defence Command and the Finnish Defence Intelligence Agency.
The purpose and subjects of civilian and military intelligence are defined in the intelligence legislation. The diagram below indicates who is responsible for intelligence, as well as how and why it is conducted.
| Who | How | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Finnish Security and Intelligence Service | By gathering and using information | 1) To safeguard national security 2) To support the decision-making of the highest state leadership 3) To support other public authorities in discharging their functions related to national security |
| Defence Command and Finnish Defence Intelligence Agency | By collecting and processing information | 1) To support the decision-making of the highest state leadership 2) To carry out tasks of the Defence Forces |
The duties and powers of the intelligence authorities are based on law
The key enactments on civilian intelligence
The key enactments on military intelligence