Skip to main content

Intelligence Analyst

Public Safety & Defence

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.

Public Safety & DefenceData Science

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Validate known intelligence with data from other sources.
  2. 2Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.
  3. 3Evaluate records of communications, such as telephone calls, to plot activity and determine the size and location of criminal groups and members.
  4. 4Gather intelligence information by field observation, confidential information sources, or public records.
  5. 5Analyze intelligence data to identify patterns and trends in criminal activity.
  6. 6Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts, based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.
  7. 7Collaborate with representatives from other government and intelligence organizations to share information or coordinate intelligence activities.
  8. 8Link or chart suspects to criminal organizations or events to determine activities and interrelationships.
  9. 9Establish criminal profiles to aid in connecting criminal organizations with their members.
  10. 10Identify gaps in information.
  11. 11Design, use, or maintain databases and software applications, such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools.
  12. 12Predict future gang, organized crime, or terrorist activity, using analyses of intelligence data.
  13. 13Study activities relating to narcotics, money laundering, gangs, auto theft rings, terrorism, or other national security threats.
  14. 14Study the assets of criminal suspects to determine the flow of money from or to targeted groups.
  15. 15Develop defense plans or tactics, using intelligence and other information.
  16. 16Conduct presentations of analytic findings.
  17. 17Interview, interrogate, or interact with witnesses or crime suspects to collect human intelligence.
  18. 18Prepare plans to intercept foreign communications transmissions.
  19. 19Study communication code languages or foreign languages to translate intelligence.
  20. 20Gather and evaluate information, using tools such as aerial photographs, radar equipment, or sensitive radio equipment.
  21. 21Operate cameras, radios, or other surveillance equipment to intercept communications or document activities.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • Analyst
  • CIA Agent
  • Intel Agent
  • AI Consultant
  • Crime Analyst
  • Cyber Analyst
  • Intel Analyst
  • Threat Analyst
  • Defense Analyst
  • Intel Specialist

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. Typical entry

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationBachelor's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
History (Sejarah)Draws directly on Law and Government — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
BusinessDraws directly on Administrative — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • English Language85%

    English

  • Law and Government83%

    History (Sejarah)

  • Public Safety and Security76%
  • Computers and Electronics70%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • Administrative70%

    Business

  • Communications and Media65%

    EnglishBahasa Melayu

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
  • Leading or coordinating othersVery high
  • Handling conflict situationsEvery day
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherEvery day
  • Noisy environmentRarely

Where this job is heading

Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.

  • Operate drones for aerial surveillance or to gather evidence from difficult to reach locations.
  • Use drone technology for aerial photography and videography of crime scenes.
  • Make recommendations for investigations and subpoenas.

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

9%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Police Inspector (PDRM)

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

Related careers

If this interests you, these are worth a look too.

About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Intelligence Analysts

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org