International and National Security Field Guide
Overview
The goal of every intelligence service is to produce reports consisting of evaluated information and forecasts that political, military, and government leaders can use in decision making. There are three categories of intelligence operations: strategic intelligence, tactical intelligence, and counterintelligence. Strategic intelligence agents keep track of world events, watch foreign leaders carefully, and study a foreign country’s politics, economy, military status, and scientific advances. Tactical intelligence consists of determining which groups hold power and looking at foreign policy, public opinion, and voting statistics. Economic factors include trade agreements, the gross national product, and possible famines, all of which can influence domestic and foreign policies. Counterintelligence consists of keeping valuable information away from the enemy and prevents subversion and sabotage.
Career Opportunities
Entry-level employees generally are assigned to gather information. With experience and training, they can qualify as analysts. Advancement may include postings requiring more responsibility and assignments in foreign countries. They are promoted and given assignments according to the needs of the government. Further advancement leads to management positions. Case officers stationed overseas gather intelligence and then relay the information to analysts who interpret the data for their reports. There are specialized analysts called technical analysts as well as cryptographic technicians who are experts at coding, decoding and sending secret messages. The Department of Defense International Security Affairs Division develops defense positions in political, military and foreign economic affairs, including arms control and disarmament. Among its functions are negotiating and monitoring agreements with foreign governments concerning military facilities and the status of the armed forces.
Types of Jobs
Lawyer
Program manager
Intelligence analyst
Translator
Contractor/consultant
Investigator/inspector
Computer engineer
Security officer
Qualifications + Skills
Foreign language fluency
Analytical skills
Understanding of the Intelligence Cycle (collection, fusion, analysis and production, dissemination)
Strong oral and written communication skills
Research ability
Computer and technology literacy
PRO TIP: Use Maxwell’s resources! INSCT has career resources, offers Certificates of Advanced Studies, and sponsors the Student Association on Terrorism and Security Analysis (SATSA) here at Maxwell.
Sample Employers
Private Sector
BAE Systems
Boeing
General Dynamics
International Security Group, Inc.
Lockheed Martin
Northrup Gruman
Raytheon
Textron
United Technologies
Non-Governmental Organizations
Project on Government Oversight (POGO)
The Brookings Institution
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
Center for Strategic and International Studies SAIC
Government Agencies
Defense Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
U.S. Department of State
Army
Air Force
Navy
Marines
U.S. Department of Energy
National Security Agency
FBI
Defense Criminal Investigative Service
Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Department of Treasury
U.S. Coast Guard
National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
Sample Maxwell Classes
National Security Law
Perspectives on Terrorism
Fundamentals of Conflict Studies
Negotiating Resolution of Internal Conflict
International Security
National Security and Defense Transformation
Humanitarian Action
U.S. National Security: Defense and Foreign Policy
Responding to Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
U.S. Intelligence Community
Comparative Civil-Military Relations
U.S. Defense Strategy
Resources
INSCT at Syracuse University
ASIS International
CI Centre
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Related Career Guides
Counterterrorism Intelligence
Foreign Service
Think Tanks