ECU Blog

The list of security risks facing individuals, companies, and governments is long and evolving. And many of these dangers can fuel organized criminal activities, including terrorism. 

The biggest risks facing the world in the coming decade include new security dangers, such as those associated with artificial intelligence, as well as issues that have been a concern for years, such as misinformation and disinformation, according to a 2024 World Economic Forum report.

Considering the security risks facing the United States and the rest of the world—and their link to large-scale threats—it’s no surprise that, in a 2024 NPR article, a top U.S. intelligence official called his career field “a growth business.”

Intelligence officers play a key role in protecting against these security dangers, providing invaluable information that can help to guard against a variety of domestic and foreign attacks. Those interested in pursuing this important career can prepare by pursuing a bachelor’s degree that includes a focus on security studies .

What Is an Intelligence Officer?

Intelligence officers collect and analyze information ranging from economic data to radar imagery, working to uncover any patterns that point to security dangers. Most in this profession serve in government agencies or the military, although some intelligence officers work independently as contractors for these employers. 

Intelligence Officer Mission

The information and trends that intelligence officers collect and identify inform the strategic decision-making process for government and military officials as they plan and implement security measures. Depending on their employer and assignment, intelligence officers’ work can vary from gathering the details of extremist groups to identify threats of terrorism, to collecting details of enemy military capabilities to guide defense tactics.

Intelligence Officer Employers

Government agencies that employ intelligence officers include the following:

• The CIA, where intelligence officers provide intelligence to U.S. government officials regarding threats from foreign countries. 

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where intelligence officers serve the U.S. government by gathering details about potential dangers and sharing them with state and local officials.

• The FBI, where intelligence officers work domestically to investigate and guard against criminal activity.

• Military branches, where intelligence officers collect and review data to inform the operations of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force.

Intelligence Officer Job Description and Salary

Intelligence officers’ work varies according to several factors, such as what organization they work for and whether they focus on a specific type of intelligence. All people in this role work to strengthen national security, however. 

These professionals might specialize in studying technical imagery to assist the military with tactical decisions, for example, or in interacting with others to gather intelligence that guides counterterrorism efforts.

Intelligence Officer Duties

For military intelligence officers, the general focus of their work is gathering information about other nations’ armed services. For those working for government agencies like the CIA or the FBI, the work centers on partnering with others in the intelligence community and with law enforcement and private entities to collect information to protect individuals and organizations. 

Military Intelligence Officer Responsibilities

Working as members of a branch of the armed services, military intelligence officers are responsible for gathering information that guides the strategy of their own military and protects against attacks from others. Duties can include the following:

• Planning and directing the collection of information from the military branches of hostile nations and working to prevent other nations from gathering sensitive information from the United States

• Gathering and sharing details about threats of hostile acts such as terrorism or espionage

• Collecting information about the intelligence units of friendly and hostile nations

• Assisting with integrating the findings of their intelligence gathering into military actions and programs

• Participating in digital threat and vulnerability assessments and assisting with identifying measures to protect military data

Government Agency Intelligence Officer Responsibilities

In agencies such as the CIA, DHS, and FBI, intelligence officers work to prevent and stop threats against U.S. individuals and organizations. Their duties can include the following:

• Collecting foreign or domestic intelligence that could affect national security

• Analyzing this data to determine the threats it indicates

• Determining gaps in protection against security threats

• Producing reports about threats against the nation, individuals, or organizations

• Conducting covert operations to mitigate identified threats

Intelligence Officer Pay

Pay for intelligence officers varies according to a variety of factors, such as location, experience, and employer. But the median annual salary for intelligence officers in January 2024 was about $108,740, according to Payscale. Some annual salaries for this role reached more than $168,000.

Requirements for Becoming an Intelligence Officer

Intelligence officers generally hold a bachelor’s degree and have knowledge and experience related to the type of information gathering their specific role requires. For example, depending on the nature of their work, they may need to know how to use digital tools to collect and analyze imagery, or they might need to be adept at gathering information through witness interviews.

These professionals typically study subjects such as political science, criminal justice, and security studies as they pursue their bachelor’s degrees. Skills and knowledge that intelligence officers generally must have include the following:

• Conflict management, to navigate interpersonal challenges that occur when uncovering and stopping security threats

• National and foreign security policy knowledge, to understand the parameters that guide intelligence gathering and protect citizens

• Leadership, to guide others in their efforts to design and implement security measures

• Research design, to improve the accuracy of information analysis

• Strategic planning, to lead measures to thwart security risks

• International relations, to effectively manage relationships around the globe to protect domestic interests

Build Your Career Protecting People and Information

If you’re ready to launch your career journey toward the important role of intelligence officer, explore the East Carolina University® online Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies: Security Studies degree completion program.

Through this program, you’ll gain a broad set of skills and expertise that can propel you into a career as an intelligence officer. You’ll gain this knowledge through a program known for its individualized student attention, course scheduling flexibility, and preparation of students for critical national defense roles.

Discover how ECU’s online Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies: Security Studies degree completion program can help you pursue your career goals.

Recommended Readings

Homeland Security Careers for Recent Graduates

Sources:

Careers in the Military, Intelligence Officers

CIA, About CIA

FBI, What Is the FBI?

NPR, “The U.S. Counterintelligence Head Says the List of Threats is Long and Getting Longer”

O*NET Online, Intelligence Analysts

Payscale, Average Intelligence Officer Salary

World Economic Forum, “These Are the 3 Biggest Emerging Risks the World Is Facing”