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What does an intelligence analyst do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does an intelligence analyst do

An intelligence analyst is responsible for collecting information from various sources, including security databases, law surveillance networks, past intelligence reports, geographic and mapping tools, and communication records to locate threats and prevent crime and terrorist activities. Intelligence analysts work with different national organizations to gather information on related criminal activities and determine patterns and support investigations. An intelligence analyst must be highly critical and analytical to connect data and capture enemies to ensure the public's safety and security.

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Intelligence analyst responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real intelligence analyst resumes:

  • Collaborate with the ITC and J2 to offer new ideas to accomplish overall mission successes.
  • Lead development team integrating this pivotal crew position into the AF DCGS weapon system construct.
  • Recruit best-in-class suppliers, utilizing the RFP process and negotiate contracts to achieve cost improvements while meeting stake-holder needs.
  • Develop, coordinate, and manage OSINT products by using a team of local-national subject matter experts throughout the AO.
  • Lead RFx process gathering functional requirements, identifying potential suppliers, and executing bidding, evaluation, and supplier selection.
  • Communicate with higher level echelons to distribute and manage non-organic ISR assets.
  • Collaborate with multiple IC and DoD elements to collect, exploit, and process real-time data.
  • Assist in maintaining the RC-135 collection website which allow easy access to ISR collection information within the AOR.
  • Perform CI analysis and prepare intelligence reports and technology risk assessments addressing threats and vulnerabilities to U.S. government personnel.
  • Provide tailored collections planning, threat analysis and intelligence expertise necessary to develop detail execution plans for aerospace and combat operations.
  • Perform and provide collection management, analysis, processing and dissemination of strategic and tactical intelligence to support the combat commander.
  • Work with SYERS, ASARS, SAR and MSI extensively.
  • Used IPL's, DGETS, ASARS, HSI MSI production, JTAAC.
  • Provide analytic support to CI/HUMINT targeting efforts.
  • Used SharePoint to track value of IIR evaluations.

Intelligence analyst skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Intelligence Analysts are proficient in Government Agencies, National Security, and ISR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Empathy, and Good judgment.

We break down the percentage of Intelligence Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Government Agencies, 8%

    Brief senior client leadership on intelligence matters relative to Departmental priorities and coordinate as needed with representatives of other government agencies.

  • National Security, 8%

    Mentored and instructed Afghan National Army and Afghan National Security Forces intelligence elements on fundamentals of HUMINT and All-Source intelligence analysis.

  • ISR, 6%

    Ensured seamless collection throughout operation by facilitating cohesion between CJ2 Analyst and CJ2 ISR Collection Requirements Managers.

  • Combat, 6%

    Provided tailored collections planning, threat analysis and intelligence expertise necessary to develop detailed execution plans for aerospace and combat operations.

  • Intelligence Analysis, 5%

    Provided intelligence analysis for counter-intelligence operations and interrogations.

  • Intelligence Community, 5%

    Collaborated closely with inter-agency intelligence community partners.

Common skills that an intelligence analyst uses to do their job include "government agencies," "national security," and "isr." You can find details on the most important intelligence analyst responsibilities below.

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an intelligence analyst to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "police and detectives must be able to speak with people and to express details in writing about an incident." Additionally, an intelligence analyst resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "coordinated communications tasking to cover intelligence gaps and satisfy local commander's requirements. "

Empathy. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling intelligence analyst duties is empathy. The role rewards competence in this skill because "police officers need to understand the perspectives of a variety of people in their jurisdiction and be willing to help the public." According to an intelligence analyst resume, here's how intelligence analysts can utilize empathy in their job responsibilities: "identified and addressed intelligence gaps to develop an accurate understanding of volatile situations. "

Good judgment. This is an important skill for intelligence analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how intelligence analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "police and detectives must be able to determine the best way to solve an array of problems." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an intelligence analyst: "assess and communicate real-time analytic judgments regarding specific threats and intelligence gaps. ".

Leadership skills. intelligence analyst responsibilities often require "leadership skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "police officers must be comfortable with being a highly visible member of their community, as the public looks to them for help in emergencies." This resume example shows what intelligence analysts do with leadership skills on a typical day: "provided threat assessments and information packets for senior leadership prior to and during deployment to tactical environments. "

Physical strength. Another crucial skill for an intelligence analyst to carry out their responsibilities is "physical strength." A big part of what intelligence analysts relies on this skill, since "police officers must be strong enough to physically apprehend suspects and to assist people in precarious situations." How this skill relates to intelligence analyst duties can be seen in an example from an intelligence analyst resume snippet: "perform physical security assessments in compliance with dod physical security policies and procedures. "

See the full list of intelligence analyst skills

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Compare different intelligence analysts

Intelligence analyst vs. Security assistant

A security assistant is in charge of performing support tasks in a company or establishment's security department. Their responsibilities typically include monitoring alarm systems and surveillance cameras, organizing equipment such as radios and flashlights, keeping an eye on the inventory of supplies, and liaising with external and internal parties. They may also perform clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, arranging requests, answering calls and correspondence, maintaining records of transactions, and handling paperwork. There are also instances where they must assist clients and employees, adhering to protocols as needed.

We looked at the average intelligence analyst salary and compared it with the wages of a security assistant. Generally speaking, security assistants are paid $39,491 lower than intelligence analysts per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between intelligence analysts and security assistants are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like government agencies, national security, and security clearance.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between intelligence analysts and security assistant. For instance, intelligence analyst responsibilities require skills such as "isr," "combat," "intelligence analysis," and "intelligence community." Whereas a security assistant is skilled in "customer service," "patrol," "patients," and "security procedures." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Security assistants tend to make the most money working in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $45,937. In contrast, intelligence analysts make the biggest average salary, $75,057, in the technology industry.On average, security assistants reach similar levels of education than intelligence analysts. Security assistants are 4.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Intelligence analyst vs. Deputy

The duties of a deputy vary on their line of work or place of employment. In law enforcement, a deputy is primarily in charge of conducting investigations on crimes and arresting criminals, performing regular patrols on streets, responding to calls of distress, and assisting citizens in calamities, disasters, accidents, or any forms of threat. There are also instances when a deputy must serve court documents, transport detainees or suspected criminals, and monitor courtrooms. Furthermore, a deputy reports to higher-ranking officers such as a sheriff.

On average, deputies earn a $24,070 lower salary than intelligence analysts a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both intelligence analysts and deputies have skills such as "dod," "law enforcement agencies," and "anti-money laundering. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real intelligence analyst resumes. While intelligence analyst responsibilities can utilize skills like "government agencies," "national security," "isr," and "combat," deputies use skills like "patrol," "public safety," "transport inmates," and "emergency situations."

Deputies earn a lower average salary than intelligence analysts. But deputies earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $53,877. Additionally, intelligence analysts earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $75,057 annually.In general, deputies achieve similar levels of education than intelligence analysts. They're 1.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Intelligence analyst vs. Correction officer

A correction officer is responsible for monitoring the daily activities of individuals serving time in prison, enforcing the standard rules and regulatory procedures to maintain safety and security within the premises. Correction officers' duties include searching for restricted items, inspecting the facilities' condition, observing unusual and suspicious behaviors, generating incident reports, and providing assistance during counseling and trial schedules. Correction officers must be highly knowledgeable of legal regulations. They must also cooperate with court procedures for any investigations within their place of work.

An average correction officer eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of intelligence analysts. The difference in salaries amounts to correction officers earning a $38,383 lower average salary than intelligence analysts.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from intelligence analyst resumes include skills like "government agencies," "national security," "isr," and "combat," whereas a correction officer is more likely to list skills in "public safety," "correctional facility," "emergency situations," and "security checks. "

Correction officers earn the highest salary when working in the government industry, where they receive an average salary of $40,354. Comparatively, intelligence analysts have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $75,057.Most correction officers achieve a lower degree level compared to intelligence analysts. For example, they're 7.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Intelligence analyst vs. Officer

An officer is responsible for managing the daily operations of the assigned area, ensuring its peace and security by monitoring and reporting unusual and suspicious activities. Officers are the ones enforcing strict safety protocols and procedures to maintain the order within the premises. They also coordinate with law enforcement agencies in conducting appropriate investigations for any violating cases. An officer must be highly-knowledgeable of the law policies, as well as possessing excellent leadership skills to manage the members under the officer's patrol.

Officers typically earn lower pay than intelligence analysts. On average, officers earn a $25,246 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, intelligence analysts and officers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "government agencies," "combat," and "dod. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between intelligence analysts and officers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an intelligence analyst might have more use for skills like "national security," "isr," "intelligence analysis," and "intelligence community." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of officers require skills like "patrol," "customer service," "public safety," and "emergency situations. "

In general, officers hold similar degree levels compared to intelligence analysts. Officers are 0.2% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of intelligence analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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