Finnish security service receives nearly 3,000 applications for intelligence officer roles

The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) has received 2,850 applications for its latest recruitment drive seeking Chinese- and Russian-speaking human intelligence officers, the agency’s intelligence division chief Pekka Hiltunen revealed in a column published Monday.

Supo launched a high-profile campaign in March to attract candidates with no prior ties to intelligence work, using advertisements in public transport and media outlets. Applications were accepted only by postal mail to avoid digital traces, with candidates required to submit a completed form alongside a video analysis of a failed social interaction—a key skill for intelligence gathering.

Hiltunen noted the agency successfully reached beyond its usual recruitment pool, drawing interest from “ordinary Finns” whose backgrounds rarely appear in security sector hiring. “We were pleased to see that many applicants had profiles we don’t typically encounter,” he wrote.

The selection process is now underway, with some candidates advancing to a multi-stage evaluation and training program this spring. Successful recruits will join Supo in a role where “everyday successes can directly contribute to Finland’s security,” Hiltunen said, emphasizing that their work—gathering undocumented insights into adversaries’ plans—creates critical space for foreign and security policy decisions.

Contrary to cinematic portrayals, the job involves minimal high-stakes action. “It’s largely about writing reports and working at a desk,” Hiltunen clarified, though travel may be required. Key traits for officers include approachability and genuine interest in others to blend into diverse environments.

Russia and China remain the primary targets of Finnish counterintelligence efforts, according to Supo.