The Security Service works to prevent and detect espionage against Swedish companies - if carried out on behalf of foreign states. We do not investigate cases where a company spies on another company in order to gain a competitive advantage. Such cases are investigated by the local police authority.
Espionage by a foreign power against Swedish companies may cause harm not only to business interests in Sweden but also to national security. One example of this is the Ericsson case in 2002, where the Russian intelligence service attempted to access technical information which would make it possible to intercept and manipulate Swedish Armed Forces telecommunications in the future.
Information that may cause harm to Sweden
Military information is one type of information the access to which by a foreign state may cause harm to Sweden. Other examples include information on Sweden´s infrastructure, power grid and power plants, as such information may be used to paralyse key societal functions. Information relating to the central Government may also be sensitive, as it may be used against Sweden in negotiations with other states. Information on large Swedish companies may also cause harm to Sweden, should it fall into the wrong hands. Such information may be used to cause major financial damage to the country.
Updated: 2010-07-28
Regional activities
Five regional units with regional offices across the country are responsible for the Service's activities in a number of counties.