Britain's security intelligence agency is recruiting software developers, especially those with Oracle, Microsoft, IP and security experience. 

MI5's recruitment blurb reads: "So technology-reliant is our work that IT in all its forms is absolutely central, not peripheral, to our business.

"You could be delivering the next generation of systems to protect Britain from terrorist threats and espionage."

MI5 faces demanding times, it says, with "new systems being developed, new teams being set up and new ways of working being rolled out", not to mention the global threat of terrorism.

The agency is also running an outdoor advertising campaign with recruitment posters at tube and railway stations.

Specifically, MI5 is looking for experience in VB or VC++, COM, Oracle and .Net to implement packaged software and bespoke solutions.

The new recruits will be part of a team offering development and user support, and migrating legacy systems to a new Microsoft platform.

"Any experience developing solutions in security management, security products or with CISSP qualifications will be highly desirable," says the ad.