BrokenScope

Acronym: CNI
Headquarters: Avda. Padre Huidobro, s/n, Madrid
Minister Responsible: Margarita Robles (Minister of Defense)
Secretary of State-Director: Esperanza Casteleiro
Secretary General: Luis Manuel García Terán
Parent Agency: Ministry of Defense
Subordinate Agencies: National Security Office, National Cryptologic Center, National Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence
Employees: Classified Information
Budget: €337.06 million (2023)
Established: May 6, 2002
Predecessor: Higher Center for Defense Information (CESID)
Official Website: www.cni.es

Overview

The National Intelligence Center (CNI) is Spain's intelligence service, established in 2002 as the successor to the former Higher Center for Defense Information (CESID). It operates within the structure of the Ministry of Defense as a public body with functional autonomy, its own legal personality, and full operational capacity. Among its roles, it serves as the principal advisor to the Government of Spain on national security and intelligence matters. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Functions

According to its official website, the CNI's primary functions include:

Providing information, studies, and analyses to the Government and its President to prevent and avoid dangers, threats, or aggressions against Spain's independence and integrity.

Organizational Structure

Director - National Authority of Intelligence and Counterintelligence

The Secretary of State-Director (SED) leads the CNI and is appointed by the King of Spain upon the proposal of the Minister of Defense, following deliberation by the Council of Ministers. The SED serves as the main advisor to the President of the Government and the Minister of Defense on intelligence and counterintelligence matters.

Directors of the CNI:

Jorge Dezcallar (2002–2004): First director of the CNI.
Alberto Saiz (2004–2009): Led the agency during a period of modernization.
Félix Sanz Roldán (2009–2019): Oversaw significant organizational changes.
Paz Esteban López (2019–2022): First woman to lead the CNI. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Esperanza Casteleiro (2022–Present): Current director with a long career in intelligence services. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat supports the Director in managing the CNI's various departments and ensuring the fulfillment of its missions.

Technical Directorates

The CNI comprises several technical directorates responsible for specific areas of intelligence and security:

Intelligence Directorate: Focuses on gathering and analyzing information.
Operations Directorate: Manages covert operations.
Technical Support Directorate: Provides technological and logistical support.

National Security Office

The National Security Office is responsible for safeguarding classified information and ensuring compliance with security protocols within the CNI.

National Cryptologic Center

The National Cryptologic Center (CCN) handles cryptographic security and the protection of information systems against cyber threats.

National Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence

This office supports the Director in their role as the national authority on intelligence and counterintelligence, coordinating efforts across various agencies.

Employment Classification: Profiles

The CNI employs a diverse workforce categorized into different groups based on qualifications and responsibilities:

Classification Groups

Group A: Requires higher education degrees; includes senior analysts and technical experts.
Group B: Requires advanced vocational training; includes mid-level technical staff.
Group C: Requires secondary education; includes administrative and support personnel.

Types of Positions

Analysts: Responsible for processing and interpreting intelligence data.
Field Agents: Conduct operations domestically and internationally.
Technical Specialists: Provide expertise in areas such as cybersecurity, communications, and engineering.

Controversies

The CNI has faced various controversies throughout its history, including issues related to transparency, oversight, and alleged involvement in political matters. Notably, in 2024, a senior CNI officer was investigated for allegedly leaking classified information. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

References

Note: This document is a translation and summary of publicly available information from the Spanish Wikipedia page on the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia (CNI). For more detailed information, please refer to the original source.

CNI