More and more often protection of Latvia’s high-ranking officials also requires counter-intelligence measures, as explained by Latvia’s State Security Service in its last year’s report.

Every day, SSS ensures protection for the Saeima speaker and the country’s prime minister. In the event of a sudden threat, however, SSS also offers protection to other state officials.

SSS is also responsible for security of foreign and international organizations’ representatives during their visits to Latvia.

Last year, SSS provided security for Saeima’s speaker not only during everyday activity but also during seven high-level events in Latvia and twelve foreign visits. Security for Latvia’s prime minister was provided during twenty two national events and twenty two foreign visits.

Additionally, SSS provided security for thirty eight foreign officials and representatives of international organizations during their visits to Latvia last year.

Officers of Latvia’s State Security Service provided bodyguard duty and vehicle escort services, as well as temporary accommodation for security and assistance in prevention of unsanctioned accessing of sensitive information.

SSS concluded that high terrorism threat level in many Western European countries affects the amount of work the service has on its hand to ensure security of foreign guests.

The varied threats created by Russia for Latvia’s security means there is a need to develop security measures in the IT field.

This means counter-intelligence measures need to be more integrated in traditional security measures for high-ranking officials.

According to SSS, the total volume of security measures will continue increasing in the future.