Growth in reports concerning the radical far right in security clearance vetting

The number of security clearance vetting investigations conducted by Supo has increased significantly. While just under 70,000 investigations were completed in 2019, this figure already exceeded one hundred thousand for the first time in 2024.

The number of reports in recent years related to organised or terrorist-linked far-right groups, such as the Nordic Resistance Movement that was officially disbanded by court order, has clearly grown in Supo vetting investigations. A sixfold increase in the number of reports has been recorded since 2019. While this growth does not directly indicate any increase in far-right activity, this is one potential cause. An increase in resources devoted to oversight is also an underlying factor.

For several years, the Supo counter-terrorism threat assessment has identified radical Islamism and the far right as the most significant terrorist threats to Finland. Extremism is classified at varying levels of severity, of which terrorist activity is the most serious and rarest form.

The most likely threat of a terrorist attack comes from lone operators and small groups. Organised right-wing extremism may serve as a platform for radicalising individuals and small groups, increasing the threat of violent action from this source.

Far-right links detected in security vetting vary in strength. A growing number of these reports are relatively new. Most serious observations concern organised right-wing extremism or right-wing terrorism. The most serious cases relate to individuals with strong ties to organised right-wing extremism, who are seeking access to some security-critical position or organisation.

The far right has not systematically targeted particular sectors

Supo has not noted any more widespread propensity of individuals with far-right connections to approach particular employers or positions. More reports are received concerning larger organisations, as more security clearance vetting investigations are conducted for them. Most reports are made in security clearance vetting for the construction and IT sectors.

Some 2-4 per cent of security clearance vetting investigations disclose details that should be notified to an employer. Supo sends a written notice to the employer in such instances.

The most common written notices concern references to police records or financial difficulties. These account for about 90 per cent of cases. While reports related to the far right do not form a large proportion of all details notified to employers, the number of such reports has grown.

Supo always exercises individual discretion when deciding whether it is essential to notify a potential employer of some detail. This means that employers are not automatically notified of all reports.

Security clearance vetting is an assessment of reliability

Security clearance vetting investigations play an important role in preventative security work. These investigations seek to prevent foreign powers, extremists and other hostile actors from accessing details of importance to Finland's security.

Security clearance vetting examines factors that could render a person vulnerable to influence or pressure, or that could affect their reliability in some particular capacity.

In each individual case and in relation to the duties in question, Supo considers whether it is necessary to notify the employer of details disclosed in the investigation. For example, serious financial difficulties could expose an individual to attempted influencing.

Employers are in no way bound by the findings of security clearance vetting, and always draw their own conclusions as to whether the details notified by Supo will affect recruitment or other measures.