Become a certified intelligence analyst

Train to Five Eyes intelligence standards. Hands-on tradecraft, structured analytical techniques, and real-world scenarios.

30-day money-back guarantee. Access opens 27 August, and it's yours for life.

IAFIE Certified

IAFIE Certified

One of only 6 globally

CPD Accredited

CPD Accredited

Continuing Professional Development

Five Eyes Alliance

Five Eyes Standards

Current operational requirements

NZIIP

NZIIP Finalist

2025 Excellence in Training

About the IACC

The intelligence analyst course that bridges the gap

Inside the IACC course: the eight-module curriculum

Who this is for: Professionals in cyber security, defence, law enforcement, government, and corporate risk who want to formalise their intelligence skills. Career changers from military, policing, journalism, or academia who want a recognised pathway into the profession. Motivated beginners ready to invest in a serious credential.

Most intelligence training falls short. University programmes build theory but leave you without applied skills. Short workshops offer surface-level tips but no depth. Learning on the job is slow, unreliable, and in intelligence, mistakes carry real consequences.

The Intelligence Analyst Certification Course closes that gap. In 8 structured weeks, you build and apply core intelligence analysis skills through hands-on exercises, structured analytical techniques, and immersive real-world scenarios. You graduate as a certified intelligence analyst trained to international Five Eyes standards.

Whether you are advancing a career in OSINT, national security, or corporate intelligence, or pivoting into the field for the first time, the IACC gives you the skills, confidence, and credibility to operate as a professional intelligence analyst. Graduates have gone on to roles in government intelligence agencies, corporate security teams, OSINT consultancies, and defence organisations across five continents.

Why Professionals Choose the IACC

Everything you need to become a certified intelligence analyst

Five Eyes Intelligence Standards

Every lesson, framework, and exercise is built to the operational standards used by intelligence agencies across the Five Eyes alliance.

Self-Paced Online Learning

Designed for working professionals. Engage with video lessons, readings, and exercises at your own pace, from anywhere in the world.

Immersive Real-World Scenarios

Apply intelligence tradecraft to high-stakes exercises like exposing illicit trade in Resolute Horizon.

Analyst Community Access

Join the School of Intelligence community. Collaborate with fellow students and instructors, share insights, and build your professional network.

Expert-Led Instruction & Feedback

Learn from a former military intelligence professional. Receive personalised feedback on every exercise and assessment you submit.

Recognised Certification

Graduate with an IAFIE-certified and CPD-accredited qualification. The IACC is one of only 6 IAFIE-certified intelligence courses in the world.

Eight Comprehensive Modules

From intelligence fundamentals to structured analysis and production. Every stage of the intelligence cycle, covered in depth.

AI-Enhanced Training

All training scenarios use cutting-edge AI technologies to create immersive, realistic intelligence environments that mirror real operational conditions.

Proprietary Training Platforms

The closest thing to the real world without a clearance

No other intelligence certification includes proprietary simulation and analysis platforms. The IACC is the only course in the world that lets you train inside realistic, AI-driven operational environments.

POET during Exercise SILENT WATCH, live collection feed and operations map

POET

AI-driven exercise simulation. Real-time injects, collection plans, and an interactive map with NATO APP-6 symbology.

OpenSATs ACH matrix, hypothesis scoring against evidence

OpenSATs

Structured analytical techniques suite. ACH, Key Assumptions Check, SWOT, and link analysis in one workspace.

Intelligence Analyst Certification Curriculum

Eight modules. Eight weeks. Complete analyst certification

Module 01

Intelligence Fundamentals

  • Define intelligence: characteristics, types, and levels of intelligence operations
  • Map the intelligence community: government agencies, private organisations, NGOs, and the OSINT community
  • Examine ethical considerations, legal frameworks, and analyst responsibilities
  • Master the intelligence cycle and how each stage drives decision-making
  • Explore intelligence systems architecture and your role within them

Module 02

The Intelligence Analyst

  • Identify the core traits and competencies of effective intelligence analysts
  • Develop the analyst mindset: intellectual curiosity, pressure management, and resilience
  • Build critical thinking skills for structured information evaluation
  • Recognise and mitigate cognitive biases that compromise analytical judgement
  • Begin your hands-on, real-world intelligence scenario

Module 03

Direction & Planning

  • Understand how intelligence direction is received and translated into action
  • Formulate intelligence requirements: PIRs, SIRs, and information requirements
  • Develop collection plans that align resources to intelligence priorities
  • Apply skills in Planning Scenario Part I

Module 04

Collection

  • Learn collection fundamentals: SANDA framework, disciplines, and risk management
  • Study HUMINT: source types, recruitment, handling, and tasking
  • Explore SIGINT: signals collection, interception techniques, and exploitation
  • Master GEOINT: geospatial data sources, satellite imagery, and applications
  • Complete Planning Scenario Part II

Module 05

Processing

  • Receive and process raw intelligence in the exercise intel drop
  • Master collation: organising and structuring collected intelligence data
  • Evaluate source reliability and information credibility
  • Sort for relevance, translate materials, and standardise reporting

Module 06

Analysis

  • Build foundations: logical reasoning, argumentation, and communicating uncertainty
  • Apply structured analytical techniques: brainstorming, SWOT, STEMPLES scanning
  • Conduct key assumptions checks and analysis of competing hypotheses (ACH)
  • Use link analysis, timeline analysis, and pattern-of-life analysis
  • Execute your analytical assessments

Module 07

Production

  • Learn intelligence writing standards for clear, defensible assessments
  • Structure intelligence products: reports, briefings, and estimates
  • Communicate complex findings to decision-makers effectively
  • Produce your exercise intelligence assessment

Module 08

Dissemination & Review

  • Understand dissemination protocols, audience targeting, and information security
  • Deliver findings through a professional intelligence briefing
  • Begin Exercise Resolute Horizon: full-cycle capstone intelligence operation
  • Complete final assessment and earn your certification
ALCON founder in the field, Wadi Rum
Real tradecraft. Not theory.
Cole Proebstel, Director of ALCON Intelligence

Meet Your Instructor

Cole Proebstel. Intelligence professional, trainer, mentor

Cole's career began in the military, where he mastered intelligence tradecraft in high-stakes operational environments supporting special operations and domestic security missions.

He has hired, trained, and developed intelligence analysts at every level across government and private sectors. He knows exactly what employers look for and what it takes to succeed.

The IACC was born from a frustration with the gap between academic theory and the practical skills employers actually demand. It delivers the real-world intelligence analyst training missing from traditional education.

IAFIE Member NZIIP Member Five Eyes Veteran

What Our Graduates Say

200+ graduates across 25+ countries. 4.9 out of 5.

The course is well structured and detailed, covering everything from how one should approach the work to the techniques used in each part of the intelligence cycle. I have developed a strong understanding of the many aspects of the intelligence profession.

Marin K.

IACC graduate

This course is the real deal. The curriculum is exceptionally well designed. By the end, I had produced a full suite of analytical products I was genuinely proud of and could immediately apply professionally.

Jason S.

IACC graduate

The course is not academic and it is not motivational. It is tradecraft. You are taught how intelligence analysis is supposed to be done when decisions depend on it.

Dave S.

IACC graduate

The training was comprehensive, well structured, and directly relevant to both academic and professional intelligence work. I now feel ready to contribute assessments that are clear, defensible, and genuinely useful.

Michael D.

IACC graduate

The IACC took me from feeling like an amateur analyst to a confident intelligence professional. My boss and colleagues regularly commented on how my outputs were becoming more robust and professional.

Jackson C.

IACC graduate

Compared to traditional university courses I have attended, this course was significantly more effective. The expectations closely resembled professional intelligence environments rather than academic theory.

Josef O.

IACC graduate

I came into the course very curious. This was the first time I was diving into this field, and I am very happy with the content and collaboration from the team. Every topic is very well taught, great examples, and the exercises are the best part. Learning each step and applying it to Resolute Horizon was extremely rewarding.

Lucas V.

IACC graduate

The Alcon Intelligence Analyst course was a worthwhile experience and provided a strong foundation in both the structure and application of intelligence analysis. I appreciated how the course balanced core analytic concepts with practical exercises that required real critical thinking rather than just memorisation. Learning structured analytical techniques such as ACH, Key Assumptions Check, and collection planning made the material feel relevant and actionable.

Mike G.

IACC graduate

Cole and his instructors are highly experienced and understand how to get information across in a manner that is relevant and easy to follow. As someone with a military background I can see the teaching methodologies come through and they work really well. The foundational knowledge is vital for anyone looking to move into the field.

Luke

IACC graduate

The IACC is a well-structured and highly organised course, particularly in a market where many alternatives fail to truly challenge participants. The emphasis is rightly placed on pushing yourself in order to grow and improve. Both the IACC and its community have helped me better define my interests and professional goals.

Steve S.

IACC graduate

The IACC is by far the most valuable training I have come across in my journey into the intel space. Expect to be challenged with unique problems that will give you an idea of what the real world process of the intelligence cycle looks like, not just in theory, but in practice.

J.S.

IACC graduate

I have completed several university degrees relating to global security and intelligence, and some private security and intelligence courses. I would easily rate this above all of the courses I have previously completed. The material was engaging but challenging, resulting in great satisfaction.

Peter H.

IACC graduate

I entered the IACC with only a basic understanding of the intelligence cycle and leave with confidence in my ability to generate genuine intelligence products. Cole's dedication to precise communication and high-quality material has created a world-class learning environment where excellence is both encouraged and attained.

Hadrian

IACC graduate

The IACC has a level of interactivity, practical exercise, and community that is seldom available, especially in the intelligence community. The expertise, support, and practical experience are worth the price ten times over. ALCON helped me discover my passion for strategy and intelligence.

Samuel H.

IACC graduate

This course gripped me from start to finish. Not only did it reinforce techniques I was already familiar with, but it also broadened my perspective by introducing more traditional approaches to intelligence that I hadn't fully explored before.

Ash

IACC graduate

Without a doubt, this has been an excellent course. The exercises were designed with a high level of realism, which helped me apply the knowledge right away. I also really appreciated the option to pay in installments, even from another country.

Nicolas K.

IACC graduate

The IACC was a course I was set on enrolling in as soon as I heard its launch was on the horizon. The sense of community and genuine instructor interactions, alongside course material of the highest calibre, created a unique online learning environment. The feeling of earned IACC accreditation gives me a sense of achievement and pride.

Ed C.

IACC graduate

The IACC course has been transformative for me, both personally and professionally. It has equipped me with robust analytical tools, sharpened my critical thinking, and given me the confidence to pursue further opportunities in the intelligence community.

Dan F.

IACC graduate

This course was exactly what I was looking for. The exercises and feedback make this more than just your typical "click through" online course. It gives you a chance to actually do it with a respectable and non-judgemental seasoned intel professional. The course is not forced or rushed.

TJ G.

IACC graduate

Having studied International Security and Intelligence from a theoretical standpoint, the IACC did not disappoint. The practical elements made it stand out from any other intelligence courses I have seen. The opportunity to complete Operation Resolute Horizon was easily my favourite part.

Brighde A.

IACC graduate

It was great confirmation of what I already knew and yet helped me refine my skills and learn a whole new set of skills, approaches and methods of working. It was really informative and actually fun.

Daniel G.

IACC graduate

The Intelligence Analyst Certification Course was useful and necessary to understand and apply the tools and procedures that should be applied during the intelligence cycle. I fully recommend if you want to work on intelligence areas.

Sergi C.

IACC graduate

I really enjoyed the course and found it way more practical than I expected. It was really interesting to see how a Five Eyes intelligence analyst would approach the work. The balance between guidance and independence was spot on. I had a lot of fun going through the modules.

Dennis

IACC graduate

The information built up over time and got us ready for Resolute Horizon. The feedback provided on questions and after assignments is great. It allows students to narrow down mistakes and things they missed.

Leandro S.

IACC graduate

I found this course really enjoyable and didn't feel like I was studying in the normal sense. It was really well laid out, easy to use and the community of other course participants is a really great aspect.

Ulli M.

IACC graduate

Well structured and paced course with great practical exercises. The templates help structure and organise your thoughts and sift through raw data. The instructor goes above and beyond to clarify doubts or questions, so feel free to reach out if unclear.

Daryl

IACC graduate

My experience on the course has been extremely positive from the very start. The final exercise being the cumulative effort of all the lessons helped reinforce everything. Everyone's comments about not wanting it to end are there for a reason.

Daniel D.

IACC graduate

The course offered a strong foundation in the core areas of intelligence work. The sections on deductive and inductive reasoning helped sharpen the way I approach problems and decision-making. Cole remained open to feedback and questions, which created an environment where students could engage directly.

Bless C.

IACC graduate

I absolutely love the IACC! The exercises were always challenging and required a lot of brainpower and dedication. But the detailed and constructive feedback was always encouraging. The atmosphere Cole created in this course is the essence of it.

Claudio M.

IACC graduate

It was all together the best investment I made on myself. Not pursuing it would have been a great mistake. The course taught me to listen and watch carefully, recognise biases, and most importantly spot the gaps in information: what is not said, what is not written, and what is not seen.

Marida B.

IACC graduate

The course gave me an idea of how useful my critical thinking can be if used correctly and it opened a new professional work field that I was not even aware existed. The course was fantastic and I hope you guys get more people in the future.

JJ B.

IACC graduate

When I first started the IACC, I had no formal intelligence experience. Confidence built rapidly. The progressive nature of work, with each assignment building upon the last, created a rich world that kept tasks from feeling like busy work. The community was another great aspect.

Hudson S.

IACC graduate

I found it helpful to solidify my knowledge of intelligence dissemination approaches and I also learnt a lot of new ways to come to conclusions through exposure to different analysis methodologies. I found the course moderately challenging and appreciated the time given to work on the modules.

Trav W.

IACC graduate

This is the first time I have received a course that is really structured in Intelligence Analysis. It forced me to take deep learning and reading. Each step of the course is an eye-opening for building logical and objective analysis. ALCON Intelligence Analyst Certification Course is real world application.

David S.

IACC graduate

This course provided a well-structured learning experience, combining clear instruction with practical exercises that helped build the relevant skills I need to start a career in intelligence.

Michael

IACC graduate

The exercise successfully simulated a realistic intelligence workflow and reinforced the importance of structured methodology, critical thinking, and clear communication. The focus on clear key judgments, confidence levels, and operational implications highlighted how intelligence must be communicated to support leadership decisions.

Jack

IACC graduate

Internationally Recognised Credentials

A certification that carries weight

IAFIE Certified

IAFIE Certified

This course is certified to meet the content standards of the International Association for Intelligence Education. It is one of only several certified courses in the world.

CPD Accredited

CPD Accredited

Accredited by the CPD Standards Office. Your certification counts toward formal professional development requirements recognised by employers and government agencies worldwide.

Five Eyes Alliance

Five Eyes Standards

Every lesson, framework, and exercise is built to the operational standards used by intelligence agencies across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

NZIIP

NZIIP Finalist 2025

Named a finalist for the 2025 Excellence in Training Award by the New Zealand Institute of Intelligence Professionals, the peak body for intelligence practitioners in New Zealand.

Included With Every Enrolment

More than a course. A complete career launchpad

Live Weekly Q&A Calls

Get questions answered in real time and deepen your understanding of intelligence concepts.

1:1 Live Mentoring

Complimentary hour of individualised mentoring to sharpen your analytical skills.

Intelligence Career Coaching

Tailored guidance to build your career in government, corporate, or private intelligence.

Premium Certification Pack

Hard copy certificate, course report, custom ALCON folder, and exclusive Challenge Coin.

Direct Instructor Access

Real-time, personalised feedback to help you master intelligence analysis faster.

Lifetime Access

Revisit course material and community whenever you need to stay sharp. Never expires.

Extra Resources & Guides

Free supplementary materials and professional guides for your intelligence career.

POET Exercise Platform

AI-driven intelligence simulation platform with real-time injects, collection management, and dynamic threat pictures.

OpenSATs Analysis Suite

Purpose-built structured analytical techniques workspace: ACH, link analysis, SWOT, and more.

School of Intelligence Community

You are not learning alone

The IACC is not a solo experience. When you enrol, you join the School of Intelligence, an active community of analysts, professionals, and graduates who share insights, challenge each other, and grow together.

Engage in live sessions with your instructor, participate in intelligence challenges that test your tradecraft under pressure, discuss real-world events in dedicated forums, and connect with a network of like-minded professionals in more than 25 countries across five continents.

  • Live weekly sessions, recorded and available on-demand
  • Intelligence challenges with leaderboard rankings
  • Discussion forums, book club, and Q&A channels
  • Direct access to your instructor and fellow analysts
  • Lifetime access, stay connected after graduation
Inside the School of Intelligence community

Course Packages

Two IACC pathways. Choose the level of training support you need.

Enrolment is open now and closes Thursday 27 August at 11:59pm EDT. Cohort 8 starts on 27 August.

IACC Core

Self-directed certification

The full IACC course and certification, completed independently. For self-directed learners who do not need community or instructor support.

$1,399 USD

One payment, or 4 payments of $349.

  • Full IACC course access
  • Self-paced learning
  • IACC certification on completion (e-certificate only)
  • Automated assessment feedback
“The course is not academic and it is not motivational. It is tradecraft. You are taught how intelligence analysis is supposed to be done when decisions depend on it.” Dave S., IACC graduate
Enrol in Core, $1,399

30-day money-back guarantee. Access opens 27 August, and it's yours for life.

Not sure which tier fits? Book a 15-minute call before the 27th, or come to the live Q&A on Monday 24 August, 8:00pm EDT.

The IACC Accelerator is a private, mentor-led program at $10,000 USD, by application.

Paying through your employer? Email [email protected] and we'll send a proforma invoice and a letter you can forward to your manager, usually the same day. If you're US federal or military, SF-182 and IRC §127 are the routes that work for this course.

Package Comparison

Full feature comparison

  IACC Core IACC Professional
Full IACC course access
Certification pathway
Certificate delivery e-Certificate Premium pack
Self-paced learning
Community access
Live sessions
Instructor support
Pastoral care & regular check-ins
Course feedback throughout Automated Tailored
Assessment feedback depth Automated Tailored
POET access
OpenSATs access
1-on-1 mentoring One session
Product review
Portfolio support
Formal recommendation pathway Case-by-case

Frequently Asked Questions

Intelligence analyst certification FAQs

The IACC is designed for professionals in cyber security, defence, law enforcement, government, corporate risk, and academia, as well as career changers. Whether you are building on existing skills or starting from scratch, the course develops you to international certification standard. No prior intelligence experience is required.

You earn the Intelligence Analyst Certification, which is IAFIE-certified and CPD-accredited. The IACC is one of only 6 IAFIE-certified intelligence courses in the world. You also receive a premium pack: hard copy certificate, course report, custom ALCON folder, and exclusive Challenge Coin.

Yes. The IACC has no degree requirement. The course builds progressively from fundamentals to advanced application. We have trained students from military, law enforcement, corporate, academic, and completely new backgrounds. What matters is your commitment to learning the tradecraft.

Most students invest 8 to 12 hours per week. All content is self-paced, so you can adapt to your commitments. Lifetime access means you can revisit material at any time after the course ends.

University programmes typically cost $5,000 to $50,000+ and focus on academic theory. The IACC focuses on applied intelligence tradecraft: the practical skills employers demand. You work through real-world scenarios, use structured analytical techniques, and receive direct feedback from a working intelligence professional. Full time it takes eight weeks, not 2 to 4 years, and part time you go at your own pace.

Yes. 100% online with self-paced lessons, live weekly Q&A sessions, and community interaction. Students from over 25 countries have completed the course. You can study from anywhere in the world.

Honest answer: no course can guarantee you a job, and you should be wary of any that promises one. What the IACC gives you is the certification, a portfolio of real-world analytical work you can show an employer, and the tradecraft that interviews test for. Graduates have gone on to roles in government intelligence, corporate security, OSINT consultancies, and defence organisations, and students who've finished tell us the course helped them get there.

30-day money-back guarantee. If IACC isn't for you, email [email protected] within 30 days of the cohort start and we'll refund you in full. The one condition is that you haven't submitted the Module 2 exercise.

Published US salary data puts the average intelligence analyst at about $97,000 per year. The typical range is $73,000 to $132,000, with senior analysts and specialists in Washington, DC earning over $125,000. Top earners with advanced certifications or specialised knowledge in areas like cyber intelligence or OSINT regularly exceed $170,000. Salaries outside the US vary by country, but the profession offers strong earning potential globally.

You pay $549 today and $549 on the same date for the next three months. Professional comes to $2,196 in total. Core is 4 payments of $349.

You don't have to start straight away. Enrol before the 27 August deadline and begin whenever your schedule allows: your access never expires. The eight-week schedule is what the course takes if you focus on it full time. Doing it part time around a job, take as much time as you need. There's no completion deadline. Most part-time students finish in 8 to 12 weeks, some take six months, and that's fine.

Email [email protected] and we'll send a proforma invoice and a letter you can forward to your manager, usually the same day. If you're US federal or military, SF-182 and IRC §127 are the routes that work for this course.

Enrolment for Cohort 8 is open now. It closes Thursday 27 August at 11:59pm EDT and the cohort starts that same morning. After that the offers come down until the next intake.

The offers come down. You can't enrol in Cohort 8 after that, and the next intake doesn't have a date yet.

Ready to enrol in Cohort 8?

Professional is $2,199 USD, or 4 payments of $549. Core is $1,399 USD, or 4 payments of $349.

30-day money-back guarantee. Access opens 27 August, and it's yours for life.

Enrolment closes Thursday 27 August at 11:59pm EDT. Cohort 8 starts on 27 August.

Not enrolling this time

Hear about the next intake

Not enrolling this time? Leave your email and you'll hear when the next intake dates are set. No other mail, and you can leave the list at any point.

Enrolment closes Thursday 27 August, 11:59pm EDT.Closes 27 Aug, 11:59pm EDT Enrol now