The Austrian Criminal Intelligence Service (BK) (Bundeskriminalamt) was established in 2002 and is part of the General Directorate for Public Security of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. It constitutes a milestone in the process of creating a modern and efficient security structure in Austria. The BK has six departments. Its purpose is to act as a service centre in the effective fight against globally operating organised crime. The BK provides modern and professional support in all areas of criminal investigation to law enforcement officers in Austria. It is Austria's CID headquarters and international contact point, and is involved in high-level information management. The BK also provides regular police support activities to all criminal investigation services, such as a central sur