5 courses you can take for a career as a Threat Intelligence Analyst
You don’t need a cybersecurity degree to land a role in threat intelligence. Discover some of the best courses to launch your career.
Every day, cybercriminals launch thousands of attacks, deploy new malware variants, and devise sophisticated schemes to breach organisational defences. As threat landscapes evolve at breakneck speed, organisations need someone who can make sense of the chaos and turn raw data into actionable intelligence.
That's where Threat Intelligence Analysts come in.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
Who is a Threat Intelligence Analyst?
A Threat Intelligence Analyst is the cyber detective of the digital world. They collect, analyse, and interpret threat data to help organisations understand their adversaries, predict attack patterns, and build proactive defence strategies. Part cybersecurity expert, part data analyst, they bridge the gap between raw threat data and strategic security decisions.
As cyberattacks become more sophisticated and nation-state actors increase their activities, the demand for skilled threat intelligence professionals is surging. Organisations need experts who can transform overwhelming amounts of security data into clear, actionable insights that drive decision-making.
But here's the encouraging news: you don't need a computer science degree or years of experience to break into threat intelligence. What you need is the right combination of analytical thinking, cybersecurity knowledge, and practical skills that you can develop through targeted training.
Here are five courses that can accelerate your journey into Threat Intelligence Analysis:
Oluwaseun Bamisile
1. Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst (C|TIA)—EC-Council
The industry-leading certification for aspiring threat intelligence professionals, this comprehensive, specialist-level program focuses on the ever-evolving domain of threat intelligence.
What you'll learn:
- Strategic, operational, and tactical threat intelligence methodologies
- Advanced threat hunting techniques and malware analysis
- Intelligence collection from open source, dark web, and technical sources
- Threat modelling and risk assessment frameworks
- Creating actionable intelligence reports for different stakeholders
Why take it: The CTIA-certified candidates attain a competitive edge over other information security professionals. This certification validates your expertise in structured threat intelligence processes and is recognised globally by employers.
2. FOR578: Cyber Threat Intelligence—SANS Institute
This analytical process will put the students' minds to the test instead of placing a heavy emphasis on using technical tools, making it perfect for developing critical thinking skills essential for threat intelligence work.
What you'll learn:
- Intelligence-driven incident response methodologies
- Advanced persistent threat (APT) analysis techniques
- Threat actor attribution and campaign tracking
- Intelligence requirements and collection management
- Practical application of threat intelligence frameworks
Why take it: SANS is renowned for hands-on, practical training. The GIAC Cyber Threat Intelligence (GCTI) certification that accompanies this course is highly respected in the industry and demonstrates deep technical competency.
3. Cyber Threat Intelligence—IBM (Coursera)
This course provides essential hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and IBM's threat intelligence platform.
What you'll learn:
- IBM QRadar and X-Force threat intelligence platforms
- Log analysis and digital forensics for threat hunting
- Incident investigation methodologies
- Threat intelligence integration into security operations
- Real-world case studies and practical applications
Why take it: Perfect for beginners who want structured learning with hands-on labs. You'll gain hands-on experience with tools such as Cowrie for log investigation and other digital forensic tools essential for conducting cyber incident investigations.
4. MTIA Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst—MCSI
The MCSI Threat Intelligence certification will equip you with the skillset necessary to carry out the following tasks: Understand an organisation's exposure to cyber attacks and which threat actors may target it.
What you'll learn:
- Enterprise asset baseline and threat landscape assessment
- Tactical and technical intelligence extraction methods
- Threat actor profiling and attack simulation
- Intelligence sharing and collaboration frameworks
- Practical threat intelligence tool usage
Why take it: MCSI focuses on practical, hands-on learning with real-world scenarios. This certification emphasises applied skills that you can immediately use in the workplace.
5. Cyber Threat Intelligence Training—Recorded Future University (Free)
Free Cyber Threat Intelligence Training and Certification at Recorded Future University. Learn threat intelligence, analysis, and cybersecurity skills.
What you'll learn:
- Fundamentals of threat intelligence lifecycle
- Using threat intelligence platforms effectively
- Dark web monitoring and intelligence gathering
- Threat landscape analysis and reporting
- Integration of threat intelligence into security operations
Why take it: This free program offers an excellent entry point into threat intelligence. Recorded Future is a leading threat intelligence platform, so you'll learn from industry experts using cutting-edge tools.
Bonus Resource: Threat Analysis—Cisco (Coursera)
Walk through the classic kill chain model and use various tool capabilities of the Security Onion Linux distribution in this comprehensive course focusing on threat analysis methodologies.
What you'll learn:
- MITRE ATT&CK framework application
- Kill chain and diamond models for incident investigations
- Threat intelligence platform usage (ThreatConnect)
- Security Onion Linux distribution for threat hunting
- Advanced threat analysis techniques
Conclusion
Working as a Threat Intelligence Analyst means being at the forefront of cybersecurity, helping organisations stay one step ahead of their adversaries. It's a role that combines analytical rigour, technical expertise, and strategic thinking, with excellent career growth potential.
Choose the course that aligns with your current experience level and career goals, then build from there. Your future in threat intelligence might just begin with understanding your first threat report and developing the analytical mindset to turn data into decisive action.
Remember: in the world of cybersecurity, knowledge isn't just power—it's protection. And as a Threat Intelligence Analyst, you'll be the one providing that critical knowledge to keep organisations safe.
