About us
About the directorate
We provide advice to ministers, and develop policy and security measures to combat the threat of terrorism.
The Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism (OSCT) leads the work on counter-terrorism in the UK, working closely with the police and security services.
The attacks in the USA on 11 September 2001 changed the way we operate. It meant that the range of partners and stakeholders we worked with needed to expand, in order to draw in emergency services, local and regional government authorities, and international partners.
Since then, we have also endeavoured to make more information available to the public, while at the same time protecting national security.
Our responsibilities
We report to Home Secretary (new window) Jacqui Smith and Minister of State (new window) for the Home Office, Vernon Coaker.
We currently have responsibility for:
- exercising the UK's response to a terrorist incident
- developing legislation on terrorism here and overseas
- providing security measures and protection packages for public figures
- ensuring that the UK’s critical national infrastructure is protected from attack (including electronic attack)
- ensuring the UK is prepared to deal with a chemical, biological, or nuclear release
- liaising with government and emergency services during terrorist incidents or counter-terrorism operations
We also oversee the administration of:
- the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA)
- the Security Service Acts 1989 and 1996. For more information go to the Security Service website (new window)
- Home Office-related elements of the Intelligence Services Act 1994
