The number of employee security clearances carried out by the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) has almost doubled since 2018.
Last year, the agency completed a record number of security clearances, more than 114,000. The number of such checks has spiked since 2022, when Russia began its full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine.
Supo primarily conducts security clearances for new employees working in areas related to critical infrastructure. Security clearances are commissioned by organisations whose activities affect Finland’s national security or significant economic interests. These include ministries, agencies and critical infrastructure companies — particularly those related to energy, logistics and digital infrastructure.
Higher fees to pay for new office
The Security Clearance Act, which was amended in 2020, specifies in detail which tasks and activities require background checks. Individuals subject to security checks must always give their consent to the process.
The Finnish National Security Agency recommends personnel security clearances as part of a broader preparedness plan. Since the start of the Russian war of aggression, Supo has recommended that critical infrastructure operators apply for and maintain security clearances. Supo’s security clearance customers include over 500 organisations. Just under half of these are state agencies while approximately 300 are private companies.
At the beginning of last year, Supo raised the fees for its security clearances by up to 30 percent. It said the price hikes were necessary due to rising costs — and the need for financing for its new office building on Fabianinkatu in Helsinki. The agency is expected to move in later this year after more than two years in temporary facilities.
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