About Us

CODE OF CONDUCT

PREAMBLE

The Slovak Information Service („the Service“) is an integrated intelligence and security service with a general scope of intelligence operations; as an authority of the state the Service covers internal security  and economic intelligence, external intelligence and technical intelligence.

Its sophisticated human resources and technical means, knowledge potential and experience create prerequisites for the accomplishment of its missions and objectives of its foundation: intelligence protection of the Slovak Republic and its citizens.  

The practical implementation of individual capabilities of the Service establishes a system of measures focused on strategic, operational and tactical intelligence; the ultimate mission of intelligence is not only the protection, enforcement and support of vital interests of the Slovak Republic but also the detection and prevention of activities, phenomena and events posing a threat to these interests. Further, the Service also supports the activities and decision-making of the supreme constitutional authorities of the Slovak Republic and other public authorities.

The officers of the Service (both individually and collectively within the entire organisation) carry out their duties in full compliance with this Code of Conduct - a sum of legal and ethical principles. This Code of Conduct helps the officers to follow the course of the protection of the state and use special powers vested in them for protecting the Slovak Republic, promoting interests of the state, averting terrorist threats, adopting counter-espionage measures and measures preventing disclosure of classified information. The Code of Conduct offers the officers support and encourages them not to  back off from their efforts to protect the Slovak Republic and its citizens even in the most dangerous and complicated situations.

The officers of the Service are fully aware of their responsibility towards the Slovak Republic and respect any justified criticism. They are willing to accept constructive suggestions and comments that aim to optimise and increase the efficiency of the Service; moreover, they are willing to act responsibly in fulfilling their statutory duties, develop their skills, use vested funds economically and improve their everyday performance in the interest of the democratic state and protection of free society.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 

In respect of the universally accepted principles of intelligence, in particular the principle of constitutionality, legality and honouring treaties, the position, powers and missions of  the Service (as a service of a democratic state, a member state of the European and  Transatlantic structures,  respecting the rule of law) are provided for by relevant legal regulations, principally by the Constitution of the Slovak Republic,  the Act no. 46/1993  Coll. on the Slovak Information Service as subsequently amended, the Act no. 215/2004  Coll. on the Protection of Classified Information as subsequently amended and also by the Act no. 166/2003 Coll. on the Protection of Privacy against the Unauthorised Use of Technical-Intelligence Measures (Act on the Protection against Interception) as subsequently amended.

Besides legal restrictions, the Service is also strictly limited by international obligations of the Slovak Republic and by the European Union law. Its obligations resulting from its membership in international platforms that group intelligence services of democratic countries in the Euro-Atlantic area are an important component of the regulatory framework.

VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

The following principles represent the basic value criteria for the activities of the officers of the Service

• protection and promotion of national interests of the Slovak Republic,
• lawfulness,
• respect for fundamental rights and freedoms,
• professionalism,
• political neutrality,
• humanity,
• loyalty, and
• responsibility.

Aware of their responsibilities and mission, the essence of which is the protection of the interests of the Slovak Republic and unconditional service to these values which rest upon the respect for human rights, the officers of the Service recognise and identify themselves with these principles, which they respect and follow at all times regardless of the circumstances.

The officer of the Service pledges to—

• respect, unconditionally follow and abide by the constitutional laws, other laws and generally binding regulations;
• act trustworthily with dignity, properly and decently, always with solidarity, respect human dignity, and encroach on the rights and freedoms of citizens by intelligence means only in the extent and form the law strictly defines;
• mind honour, esteem and dignity of his/her own as well as of others and ensure no person is harmed in relation with any activity of the Service; and
• act considerately, properly and measuredly while on duty, follow the principle of freedom of discretion which must be responsible and lawful, and bear full responsibility for own actions, while taking the situation and possible changes, including sudden and unforeseeable situations, into account.

Being  officer of the Service is a lifelong occupation with a clear ethical vector.

MISSION AND THE PUBLIC

While performing its tasks, the Service under all circumstances tries to win the support and trust of the general public in order to reach synergy while securing the maximum level of security.

The Slovak Republic and Slovak citizens are paramount. The mission and fulfilment of duties for their benefit take precedence over personal ambitions and needs of the officers of the Service. Loyalty to the Slovak Republic as a commitment of allegiance to the state is a permanent value that takes precedence over other principles. Fulfilment of duties regardless of one’s position within the Service is possible only when the officers act together.

INTEGRITY AND OBSERVANCE OF (RESPECT FOR) THE LAW

Maintaining the highest standard of conduct in accordance with the law is a natural thing. Allegiance to the truth, while being aware of the responsibility to oneself, as well as towards the others, ensures the gathered information is verified and the subsequent analyses reflect the reality and are provided to addressees without any institutional or political bias. The maximum extent of responsibility, thorough control of action, high demands and self-reflection facilitate discovery of potential deficiencies and enable, in case of any failure, a resolute rectification, adoption of strict measures, or drawing of adequate responsibility.

The right to use, within intelligence activities, special operational and technical means, by which the intelligence service may intervene into citizens’ privacy in ultimate cases and under conditions stipulated by the law, requests a rigorous protection against their misuse and is always linked with a strict control exercised by competent bodies.

Therefore, the Service insists its officers observe their duties and respect the values stipulated by the Code of Conduct.

The officers of the Service avoid any form of corrupt conduct, including receiving gifts and/or other benefits, which might influence the discharge of their duties. Zero tolerance of such phenomenon is an absolute must for them.

Zero tolerance refers to covering even a suspicion of any criminal activity of officers of the Service and/or its collaborators. Only one reaction to such conduct exists – urgent reporting to the immediate superior and internal control and audit bodies of the Service and a thorough check of such suspicions. The Service puts emphasis on the exercise of zero tolerance of any unlawful conduct of the officer and/or of any activity which might be contrary to the Code of Conduct. In the interest of reaching objectiveness and impartiality when fulfilling professional tasks, it is also important to avoid categorically any activity or conduct, which might be assessed as a conflict of interests.

ACTIVE APPROACH AND EFFICIENCY

Extraordinarily active approach and efforts are required from the officers of the Service, under any circumstances and without any entitlement to a visible appreciation by the public. When fulfilling their tasks, officers do their utmost and do not hesitate even in extreme and high-risk health and life-threatening situations. The officers do not put themselves needlessly at risk; however, they take it into account and do not try to avoid it. Each and every activity is assessed and a lesson is drawn with corresponding self-reflection – it is a repeating and never-ending cycle. Self-sacrifice is highly appreciated.

The Service and its officers have to be permanently ready to manage even unexpected crisis situations. In this respect, the state and society must also create adequate financial background, constituting material, technical, personnel and professional prerequisites. Strict personality, character and professional criteria for the applicants are set in order to prepare officers  who can flexibly react to permanently new and often dramatically changing security threats that exert direct influence upon the level of security of the Slovak Republic and its citizens. Continuous renewal and building of technical and technological capacities that allow the Service to react to general development and trends is also a challenging task.

Although the efficiency of the intelligence that protects the interests of a democratic state is not always objectively measurable by financial costs, each officer is obliged to pay attention to an efficient and effective use of the resources allocated from the state budget. The aim of this demand is to ensure an adequate compensation of the citizens’ investment into the protection of a free, democratic society by achieving high-quality results.

Permanent education and training of officers, realised by classic as well as innovative methods, contributes to an increase of the ability of the Service to direct its capacities purposefully, actively and primarily efficiently also on current threats.

DISCRETION AND TRUST

In compliance with the law as well as written and unwritten internal regulations and principles of intelligence services, each officer follows only one principle – the principle of discretion and confidentiality. Confidentiality not only secures the success of the Service but is also a key guarantee  of officer’s own protection as well as protection of his/her colleagues and sources.

For each officer, confidentiality relating to the information he/she becomes acquainted with (including classified information) during the performance of his/her duties is legally and morally binding and inviolable.

However, the need to maintain confidentiality does not apply when other officers regardless of their status breach the law - the officers are required to notify the internal compliance body of such breach; in such cases the body starts investigating and if a violation of valid regulations by officers occurs, such officers are held to account.

Taking the need to know more and to see further into account, respect, self-abnegation and humbleness help to differentiate between the good and the bad. The officers are not allowed to use and share collected information for other purposes than those relating to the performance of their tasks. Use of information for one’s own benefit or the benefit of others or any use that causes harm to others is unacceptable. The very opposite is true, under any circumstances an officer is obliged to prevent or avert such situations.

Officers who perform their duties in compliance with the valid legislation and this Code of Conduct deserve respect, support and protection of not only the Service, but also the society and our state, security and basic values of which they protect while putting their lives at risk.