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National Security Secretariat

Head of Secretariat

William Nye

Introduction

The National Security Secretariat is responsible for supporting and advising the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet's National Security Committee, on all areas of national security work, and ensuring the strengthening of the security of the UK and all of its citizens.

What are our key responsibilities?

The Secretariat's key responsibilities fall into two main areas - strategy and crisis management.

The crisis management team are responsible for:

• Government crisis management response
• Management of crisis facilities
• Advising on the Olympics security strategy
• Contingency planning and continuity of Government

The strategy team are responsible for:

• Implementation of the National Security Strategy
• Advice to the Prime Minister on counter terrorism policy and threats
• Projects to address issues cutting across areas of the national security strategy
• Support for the National Security Forum

The secretariat is responsible for COBR, the associated facilities, and the smooth running of government crisis response, which could range from terrorist incidents to civil emergencies.

Key Partners

Our work involves partnership with many Whitehall departments, including:

• Number 10
• Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
• Ministry of Defence (MoD)
• Department for International Development (DFID)
• Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)
• HM Treasury
• Home Office
• Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
• The Intelligence Agencies