What Do Intelligence Analysts Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Intelligence Analysts 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. They also validate known intelligence with data from other sources.

Other tasks include:

• Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.
• Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.
• Study activities relating to narcotics, money laundering, gangs, auto theft rings, terrorism, or other national security threats.
• Collaborate with representatives from other government and intelligence organizations to share information or coordinate intelligence activities.
• 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.

We asked Intelligence Analysts how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

---

70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Intelligence Analysts validate known intelligence with data from other sources. They design, use, or maintain databases and software applications, such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools.

A typical day for an Intelligence Analyst will also include:

• Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.
• Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.
• Gather intelligence information by field observation, confidential information sources, or public records.
• Collaborate with representatives from other government and intelligence organizations to share information or coordinate intelligence activities.
• Study activities relating to narcotics, money laundering, gangs, auto theft rings, terrorism, or other national security threats.

We asked some Intelligence Analysts a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	88% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	38% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	88% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	28% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	31% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Intelligence Analysts also study the assets of criminal suspects to determine the flow of money from or to targeted groups. They may also evaluate records of communications, such as telephone calls, to plot activity and determine the size and location of criminal groups and members.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Intelligence Analysts Operate cameras, radios, or other surveillance equipment to intercept communications or document activities. They might also Establish criminal profiles to aid in connecting criminal organizations with their members.

In addition, they Predict future gang, organized crime, or terrorist activity, using analyses of intelligence data.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Interview, interrogate, or interact with witnesses or crime suspects to collect human intelligence.

To some Intelligence Analysts, it is also their responsibility to Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Intelligence Analyst, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm

https://www.bja.gov/

http://www.theiacp.org/

http://www.dhs.gov/