Intelligence analysts are the professionals called upon to monitor the threats against the United States. These homeland security professionals identify and review any national security threat or rumor and provide meaningful recommendations on how to respond to them.
Intelligence analysts must learn how to identify and interpret often-subtle clues as to quickly and efficiently identify the possibility of terrorist actions. Their analytical skills and knowledge allow them to gather, analyze and disseminate information from intelligence reports as to enhance the efforts of a number of federal agencies.
About the Federal Government’s Intelligence Community
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 was developed as to better manage and organize the nation’s intelligence efforts. The overall efforts of the Intelligence Community are administered by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the FBI, the CIA and several other federal agencies are part of the federal government’s Intelligence Community (IC), which includes a diverse workforce dedicated to collecting, analyzing, and distributing critical information as to best save lives and secure the nation.
Today’s IC professionals bring together intelligence gathered by military, by domestic intelligence, and by foreign intelligence to protect the U.S. and its interests abroad. The IC community, in total, includes 17 organizations, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and all military branches.
Intelligence analysts supply accurate information to those in charge of national security so they can make the best policy decisions. Their ability to generate reliable and accurate intelligence is crucial for the safety of the nation and its citizens. Intelligence analysts must:
- Develop plans for acquiring information and for collecting it
- Sorting through and analyzing intelligence and preparing summary reports and recommendations to be delivered to security policy makers
Pursuing Intelligence Analysts Jobs
Intelligence analysts job most often require bachelor or advanced degrees in computer science or mathematics. Intelligence analysts may also possess degrees in:
- Chemistry
- Geography
- International Economics
- Political Science
- Regional Studies
- International Affairs
- Physics
- Engineering
- Foreign language
- Biological Science
- Related medical fields, such as Epidemiology or Toxicology
Proficiency in at least one foreign is also often desired.
Further, intelligence analysts are required to pass a rigorous security screening process, which includes: a background investigation, a polygraph examination, and mental and physical fitness tests.
Intelligence Analysts in Homeland Security: Salary Statistics and Forecasts
A number of recent job postings on www.usajobs.gov reveal the following salary ranges for intelligence analysts:
- Intelligence Operations Specialist, Department of the Air Force: $51,825-$81,511
- Intelligence Research Specialist, Citizenship and Immigration Services: $81,823-$106,369
- Intelligence Operations Specialist, Air National Guard: $57,408-$74,628
- Intelligence Research Specialist, Department of the Treasury: $105,211-$155,500
- Intelligence Specialist, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command: $89,033-$115,742.