GCHQ and puzzles

Our key mission is to help keep the country safe. In doing so, we face increasingly complex issues and threats every day.

In order to keep up with the ever-changing environment we work and live in, and to protect it effectively, we need to have the right mix of minds approaching every single problem that comes our way using the best methods possible.

This does not just happen. We need to adapt and innovate constantly. Through the design, creation and solving of puzzles, our teams are able to constantly develop their skills in thinking differently and discover new and inventive ways of approaching problems.

Whilst this does not mean that staff at GCHQ spend their time putting together jigsaws and filling out crosswords, it does ensure that we attract colleagues who enjoy spending their time creating and solving puzzles. It’s a brilliant way to hone your creative thinking skills whilst having fun, and it helps to keep us at the cutting-edge of what we do best.

There have been times where we've taken our puzzling ambitions further. We've released two GCHQ Puzzle Books, for instance. A team of GCHQ staff created the tricky brainteasers which fill the volumes, and we share them regularly on Twitter. The team have also been called upon to share their puzzling prowess on daytime radio and television shows as well as creating the much-anticipated annual Director’s Christmas card.

The proceeds from the sales of the two books have surpassed £500,000 and were donated to Heads Together, who do excellent work tackling the stigma around mental health. We recently ran an interactive social media campaign encouraging the public and celebrities to take some time out of their busy schedule to try out a puzzle from the second book and sharing their support for Heads Together in the process.

Puzzles have previously made an appearance in creative recruitment campaigns, encouraging prospective GCHQ staff to show off their problem-solving skills to qualify for an interview. Rather than seeking those with traditional interview skills, we adopt an inclusive recruitment process to ensure we give candidates the best possible chance of representing themselves and their abilities.

We also recognise puzzling as a relaxing, mindful pastime and many teams around the organisation use puzzles and quizzes for fundraising and social events and generally create challenges for each other to enjoy in their downtime.

There’s several ways you can get your hands on some of our puzzles:

• Have a go at a selection of our brainteasers
• Try out other puzzles and our Christmas cards
• Read our hints and tips for solving brainteasers
• Follow our Twitter account for new puzzles every Monday 
• Purchase our GCHQ Puzzle Books, available in all good book retailers.