site.btaState Intelligence Agency Seeks Expanded Operational Presence Overseas

Bulgaria's State Intelligence Agency (SAR) reviewed and analyzed its overseas assets and found that its operational presence needs to be optimized and expanded in countries and areas where the Agency does not have any intelligence presence or its presence is limited.

The finding is contained in SAR's 2023 activity report, which was published on the government website.

The report says that the operation of certain overseas stations, which had previously been suspended, was reactivated in 2023. At the same time, the capacity of other overseas stations has been strengthened for the purpose of overall invigoration of intelligence gathering in the principal directions.

In 2023, SAR prioritized active intelligence gathering and operational activities in countries that generate risks and threats to the security or interests of Bulgaria and its EU and NATO partners and the acquisition of up-to-date, timely and accurate intelligence information on the key assignments set to the Agency.

The report notes that the Agency's resourcing makes it possible to maintain the level of intelligence gathering as achieved, but the likelihood of a sustained underfunding of SAR's operation poses an obstacle to addressing the understaffing, the need of a technological update, and the acquisition of new capabilities. 

The Agency points out that despite an active and purposeful recruitment effort, the percentage of vacant posts at SAR remains high. This is mainly due to the applicants' psychological inaptitude, low IQ and low level of general knowledge, which in most cases are inconsistent with the educational qualification degree held. Another reason is the applicants' bad health status.

The SAR report says further that unauthorized access to classified information was not detected in 2023 and there were no case giving rise to direct risks or threats affecting the personal, physical and industrial security, the security of communication and information systems and the cryptographic security of the Agency, other government entities and security services of Bulgaria or EU and NATO structures.