Intelligence Analysts

What the job really is

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

At a glance

• Sector: Protective Service
• O*NET-SOC code: 33-3021
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Validate known intelligence with data from other sources.
• Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.
• Evaluate records of communications, such as telephone calls, to plot activity and determine the size and location of criminal groups and members.
• Gather intelligence information by field observation, confidential information sources, or public records.
• Analyze intelligence data to identify patterns and trends in criminal activity.
• Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts, based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.
• Collaborate with representatives from other government and intelligence organizations to share information or coordinate intelligence activities.
• Link or chart suspects to criminal organizations or events to determine activities and interrelationships.
• Establish criminal profiles to aid in connecting criminal organizations with their members.
• Identify gaps in information.
• Design, use, or maintain databases and software applications, such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools.
• Predict future gang, organized crime, or terrorist activity, using analyses of intelligence data.

Tools and technology

Amazon Web Services AWS software, Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive, Apache Kafka, Apache Spark, C++, Django, ESRI ArcGIS software, Facebook, Hypertext markup language HTML, JavaScript, Linux

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Digital Forensics Analysts
• Private Detectives and Investigators
• Detectives and Criminal Investigators
• Information Security Analysts
• Data Scientists
• Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
• Information Security Engineers
• Security Management Specialists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Intelligence Analysts — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.