The privatization of intelligence services: Future or a return to the past?

Nowadays there are changes in the State intelligence and security paradigms, as well as the changing nature of the threats they face in the XXI century. Emerging threats and technical, tactical needs open a new context in which the action of private entities in the field of intelligence is not only possible but desirable. The pace of change opens the door to this type of collaboration in order to obtain greater flexibility and strategic adaptability to the challenges that States are facing. As a paradox, this type of activity and relationship between public and private entities in the field of intelligence is not a novelty, but it had existed and had occurred frequently in the past