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by douglas_k 3164 days ago
CSIS likes very much to not be in the news. They seem to actively work to stay unknown. I've heard, but cannot verify, that they are the only government agency that is not required to have a "Government of Canada dept X" sign outside their buildings. They do have them outside some buildings, but not all buildings.
3 comments

I had a colleague that applied, and was subsequently interviewed for a position with CSIS. He said he was instructed to go to a large office tower in Toronto, go to x floor and ask for a particular person. Nothing was labelled as CSIS.
I had a friend in Israel who, for part of her induction into her mandatory 18mo IDF service, was scheduled for an interview with the Israeli intelligence service.

In preparation for the interview, they sent her the address, a map showing the building, and marked three separate entrances and how to get to their office from them: the main entrance, a side entrance, and one off the alley behind the building (which I assume is closer to parking? maybe?).

It was very weird. I think she decided just to go in through the lobby.

Three potential routes means a grab team attempting to snatch someone have to have three plans.

Security by obscurity works better in the physical world.

Yup. I also can't verify much, but I know a person who performed electrical work in one of their buildings and you wouldn't even know that building belonged to CSIS.
It's kind of what I like about them. Now quiz time. Who's heard of JTF2?
Their "secret" base was a short drive from where I grew up. Every local knew what it was. But they are still the most badass dudes.
My brother's (not JTF2) told me stories about their training/graduation exercises. Intense is a little too mild a word.
I take it you can't expand on that a bit?
Yes, killing people in fabricated wars is so dope.