AIRIP's 9th Annual Global Intelligence Forum

Human–AI Collaboration in Intelligence

September 21 - 23, 2026

The Westin Indianapolis

231 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/9th_Ann_Global_Forum

On behalf of the leadership team, Board of Directors, Education Committee and Staff, the AIRIP is thrilled to announce our 9th Annual Global Intelligence Forum.

The Forum will take place on Monday, September 21 - Wednesday, September 23 at The Westin Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana, just 12.5 miles from the Indianapolis International Airport (IND).

The theme of the 2026 Forum, "Human-AI Collaboration in Intelligence," explores the evolving relationship between human expertise and artificial intelligence in the intelligence profession. We aim to uncover and develop innovative practices, ethical considerations, and future opportunities for leveraging AI as a trusted partner in intelligence workflows. We are planning panels, workshops, thought leadership exercises, and presentations that align with the theme and address one or more of the following focus areas:

1. Designing Human-AI Synergy in Intelligence Workflows

• Best practices for integrating AI tools into intelligence workflows.
• Case studies showcasing successful human-AI collaboration.
• Strategies for balancing human intuition with AI-driven insights.

2. Ethical and Legal Considerations in AI-Driven Intelligence

• Addressing bias in AI algorithms and ensuring ethical use.
• Privacy and compliance challenges in AI applications.
• Frameworks for maintaining accountability in AI-enabled intelligence.

3. Training the AI-Enhanced Analyst

• Skills and training programs for intelligence professionals adapting to AI-enhanced roles.
• Tools and techniques for leveraging AI in analysis and decision-making.
• Preparing the next generation of intelligence professionals for AI integration.

4. Trusting AI-Generated Insights

• Methods for verifying the accuracy and reliability of AI outputs.
• The role of human judgment in validating AI-driven intelligence.
• Building confidence in AI tools among stakeholders and decision-makers.

5. The Future of Human-AI Collaboration in Intelligence

• Emerging technologies and their implications for intelligence workflows.
• Predictions for the evolving role of AI in the intelligence profession.
• Long-term impacts of AI adoption on organizational culture and team dynamics.

Agenda

While we are still finalizing the agenda, here's a preview of what you can expect:

Monday, September 21 (afternoon): Arrive in Indianapolis and join us for registration and late afternoon/early evening meet & greet reception at the Capital Overlook in The Westin Indianapolis.

Tuesday, September 22: Full day session including a welcome, AIRIP Annual Meeting of the Membership, Keynote, interactive panel discussions, and workshops followed by an evening Reception at the Capital Overlook in The Westin Indianapolis.

Wednesday, September 23: Full day session including Keynotes, interactive panel discussions, and workshops before we call it a wrap until 2027!

(All sessions subject to change)

What Else Can You Expect?

• Plenty of time for networking!

o   Networking receptions on both Monday and Tuesday evenings from 5 - 6:30 PM

•      Opportunities to visit with AIRIP Business Partners

Hotel Information

In the absence of a host sponsor venue this year, AIRIP has contracted directly with the conference hotel to serve as the event location and central gathering space for attendees.

Meeting our room block commitment is therefore critical to the financial sustainability of the event.  We respectfully ask attendees to reserve accommodations within the official block as a direct way of supporting AIRIP and its mission.

The Westin Indianapolis

231 W. Washington St.

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, 46204

Rate: $219.00 USD/Night

Located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, The Westin Indianapolis, our conference headquarters, places you in the heart of downtown Indianapolis near the city's top attractions. It is located steps away from concert venues, sports stadiums, local restaurants, the Indiana Convention Center, and more, and just 12.5 miles from Indianapolis International Airport (IND).

Space is limited! Click here to reserve your room in the AIRIP block now!

(https://book.passkey.com/go/AIRIP2026)

We hope to See you in September – Keep an eye on your mailbox, our website, social media, and the online community for further details! Registration will open soon!

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/9th_Ann_Global_Forum

Hurry! Registration Closes on Monday, August 31^st.

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT | 10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the June edition of our AIRIP 2026 Monthly Webinar Series – After Action Review: The 2026 Iran War.

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT | 10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the May edition of our AIRIP 2026 Monthly Webinar Series – Operationalizing AI in the Risk and Intelligence Space. 

In this webinar you will learn about how AI is enabling decision advantage and reducing risk for clients across the risk and intelligence space.  The webinar will feature a panel discussion where we will explore how AI is impacting workflows, discuss use cases, weigh AI judgement and surface AI limitations and constraints. 

The discussion is intended to go beyond hype and showcase how AI is transforming the risk and intelligence business by showcasing examples from industry leaders, followed by audience Q&A. The session will end with an informal, off the record networking session. 

Panelists will include Bob Kolasky (Exiger), Melissa Newberg (Seerist), and Jillian Stampher (Factal). 

Daniel Thorman (ODNI) and a member of the AIRIP Education Committee, will moderate the event.

New in 2026! We're adding an additional 30 minutes to the webinars for unrecorded additional Q&A and general networking.

Webinar Agenda

• Good Afternoon! - 1:00 PM ET
• Professional Development - 1:05 PM ET
• Have A Great Day! (Recording Ends) - 2:00 PM ET
• OPTIONAL Professional Networking with Presenters/Participants - 2:01 - 2:30 PM ET

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.


Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/operationalizingAI 

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT | 10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the April edition of our AIRIP 2026 Monthly Webinar Series – Beyond the Stadium – Risk Intelligence at Mega-Sporting Events. 

Professionals working at the nexus of security, intelligence, and sports – Rachael Hughen (Senior Manager, Intelligence, FIFA26 US), Mario Leonardo (Security and Operations, LA28 Olympics), Mike Smith (Director, Global Security Operations Center, NFL Security), and Matthew Crymble (Technical Project Manager, Cyber Management International Corporation) join us to discuss the most complex security challenges and risk intelligence systems confronting mega-sporting events globally.  From transnational criminal networks and geopolitical flashpoints to ransomware attacks, drone incursions, and AI-powered disinformation, join us to hear how these experts anticipate intelligence requirements, coordinate security, and minimize risks at these mega-events.  We’ll talk about how to separate noise from genuine threat signals and what practical frameworks from mega-sporting events can be applied by risk intelligence professionals at organizations of all sizes.  

Manuel Balcazar (MB-IRIS Consulting) and a member of the AIRIP Education Committee, will moderate the event.

New in 2026! We're adding an additional 30 minutes to the webinars for unrecorded additional Q&A and general networking.

Webinar Agenda

• Good Afternoon! - 1:00 PM ET
• Professional Development - 1:05 PM ET
• Have A Great Day! (Recording Ends) - 2:00 PM ET
• OPTIONAL Professional Networking with Presenters/Participants - 2:01 - 2:30 PM ET

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.


Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/Mega-SportingEvents 

12:00 PM ET | 11:00 AM CT | 10:00 AM MT |9:00 AM PT

(Note time change for March)

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the March edition of our AIRIP 2026 Monthly Webinar Series – Professionalizing Private Sector Intelligence: Bridging Scholarship and Practice. 

Private sector geopolitical security intelligence is no longer peripheral; it is an essential function shaping corporate strategy, resilience, and global risk navigation. In this AIRIP webinar, the “intel doctors” (Angela Lewis, PhD (Sibylline); Maria Robson-Morrow, PhD (Harvard Belfer Center) and Lewis Sage-Passant, PhD (Novo Nordisk)) introduce a forthcoming special edition of the Journal of International Politics dedicated to Private Sector Intelligence and explore what it signals for the professionalization of the field. They will discuss the emerging body of knowledge, its practical implications for practitioners and educators, and how scholarship, standards, and training intersect to shape the next phase of intelligence practice. 

New in 2026! We're adding an additional 30 minutes to the webinars for unrecorded additional Q&A and general networking.

Webinar Agenda

• Good Afternoon! - 12:00 PM ET
• Professional Development - 12:05 PM ET
• Have A Great Day! (Recording Ends) - 1:00 PM ET
• OPTIONAL Professional Networking with Presenters/Participants - 1:01 - 1:30 PM ET

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.


Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/professionalizing_intelligence

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the February edition of our AIRIP 2026 Monthly Webinar Series – Cognitive Offloading: Mitigating AI Risks for Analysts. 

Are you interested in learning more about artificial intelligence (AI) and how to apply it to your day-to-day work? 

In AIRIP's February webinar – a structured training session, participants will work with GADIntel founder and instructor Angie Gad to examine cognitive offloading and the impact of AI on analysts’ critical thinking. It will explore the real-world risks of relying on AI for data processing, pattern recognition, and analysis, and highlight recent research on the relationship between AI use and cognitive acumen. The webinar will also outline practical guardrails and best practices for responsible AI use. 

The session also includes an interactive exercise that gives participants an opportunity to apply these concepts and demonstrate how AI affects critical thinking and shapes analytical judgment in practice.

New in 2026! We're adding an additional 30 minutes to the webinars for unrecorded additional Q&A and general networking.

Webinar Agenda

• Good Afternoon! - 1:00 PM ET
• Professional Development - 1:05 PM ET
• Have A Great Day! (Recording Ends) - 2:00 PM ET
• OPTIONAL Professional Networking with Presenters/Participants - 2:01 - 2:30 PM ET

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.


Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/cognitive_offloading

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the January edition of our AIRIP 2026 Monthly Webinar Series – Messaging Strategies of Presidential and National Security Briefers. 

Ever wondered what it is like to brief the President or prepare reports for high-level meetings? Have you thought about what it would take to craft messages that command the attention of powerful decision makers? Panelists with experience briefing the President of the United States and other top-level US policymakers will reveal how messaging is built under pressure and how to ensure your analysis and core ideas resonate with any audience. 

This webinar explores techniques used in shaping communications for policymakers, national security leaders, and executive stakeholders. Attendees will learn how to sharpen their narrative, deliver essential insights quickly, and engage clients or colleagues at any level with confidence and impact. Whether you're communicating with executives or the public, this webinar will give you practical tools to refine your message with precision and clarity.

Panelists include Nate Dietrich (National Security Consultant and Advisory Board Member); Arin Keyser (Accenture); and Linda Weissgold, (Professor, Texas A&M University, The Bush School of Government and Public Service). The session will be moderated by Chris Savos (Savos Training Associates). 

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.


Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/messaging_strategies

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the December edition of our AIRIP 2025 Monthly Webinar Series – Disinformation: Understanding and Countering the Threat. 

Join us for an interactive webinar on disinformation and how to best protect your brand, business, and stakeholders from this expanding threat. Industry leading panelists will explore how narratives are created, spread, and weaponized in today’s information environment. The session will cover the tactics and platforms most commonly used to amplify disinformation, its impact on public trust and decision-making, and real-world case studies from government, business, and security. We will also discuss practical strategies and tools for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating disinformation risks—equipping participants with the knowledge to recognize and respond effectively in an increasingly complex information environment.

Panelists include Jennifer Ewbank (Andaman Strategic Advisors), Lisa Kaplan (Alethea), and Wasim Khaled (Blackbird.AI). The session will be moderated by Ansel Stein (Crisis24 AiiA). 

We look forward to seeing you soon.


Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/dis-information

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the October edition of our AIRIP 2025 Monthly Webinar Series – Best Practices for New Professionals in the Private Sector Security Industry. 

Starting out in private security? Looking to expand your network and find new opportunities in the intelligence and risk profession? 

Join us for an engaging webinar where industry leaders will share practical insights to help you launch and grow your career. Panelists will discuss how to break into the field, the skills and certifications that matter most, and how to balance education with hands-on experience. You’ll also gain guidance on building professional networks, navigating ethical challenges, and adapting to emerging technologies that are reshaping the security landscape. Whether you’re a student exploring opportunities or a new professional looking to stand out, this session will equip you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in the evolving world of private security.

Panelists include Ben Brandt (Medtronic); Cameron Evers (Emergent Risk International); Kathy Lavinder (Security and Investigative Placement Consultants); and Michael LeFever (Concentric). The session will be moderated by Rachel Brooks-Bitterli (Amazon). 

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.


Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/new_professionals

Please join us for the September edition of our AIRIP 2025 Monthly Webinar Series – Private Sector Intelligence Today: Building Teams and Growing the Profession. 

Private sector intelligence has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, with organizations across industries increasingly relying on intelligence teams to inform decision-making and strategy. As the field evolves, so too does the need for professional standards to serve as the scaffolding for our shared best practices, the day-to-day approaches and frameworks that help practitioners demonstrate value, build resilient teams, and support organizational goals. 

AIRIP’s September webinar will explore how best practices and standards together provide consistency, credibility, and a foundation for growth—shaping professional development, strengthening team structures, and moving the discipline forward as both a practice and a profession.

The panel will include AIRIP Education Committee Member and Knowledge Subcommittee Lead Will Huser (New York University); AIRIP Board Member and Education Committee member Angela Lewis, PhD (Sibylline) and possibly others TBD. The session will be moderated by Education Committee member Jorge Godoy Coy.

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.


Register at:  https://www.airip.org/event/building_teams

 Thursday, August 28, 2025

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the August edition of our AIRIP 2025 Webinar Series – Compelling Communications for Intelligence and Risk Professionals.  

We’re mixing it up again this month with a masterclass on communication from our 8th Annual Global Intelligence Forum Keynote Speaker – Chris Kolenda, Strategic Leadership Consultant, Speaker, and Author!

How Much Is Miscommunication Costing You?

In the high-stakes world of intelligence and risk, the price of miscommunication isn’t just inefficiency, it’s exposure.

When messages get lost in transmission:

• People fail to meet your expectations.
  
  
• Teams stall or charge ahead in the wrong direction.
  
  
• Your insights don’t land with decision-makers.
  
  
• You’re left chasing clarity instead of delivering results.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

A 2023 Harris Poll found that poor communication costs companies an average of 8 hours per employee per week, the equivalent of 400 hours per person, per year. For a 50-person organization, that’s like losing 10 full-time team members annually to friction, confusion, and misalignment.

Some misfires are inevitable. But what if you could reclaim even half that time and replace frustration with trust?

This masterclass shows you how.

When you master both sides of communication, transmitting and receiving, you don't just reduce wasted effort. You amplify your influence and build high-trust relationships up, down, and across your organization.

In this highly interactive session, you’ll gain new skills to:

• Provide clarity that cuts through noise, misinterpretation, and overload
  
  
• Use a simple, repeatable process to make sure your team truly gets it
  
  
• Avoid the most common traps that turn delegation into drift
  
  
• Practice “listening to understand” so people feel heard, valued, and energized
  
  
• Diagnose and correct your biggest communication breakdowns, before they snowball
  
  

You’ll walk away with practical tools you can apply immediately, plus the confidence to lead conversations that spark alignment, action, and accountability.

Because in the end, the time and trust you save will be your own.

Retired Army Colonel Christopher D. Kolenda, Ph.D., founder of the Strategic Leaders Academy, is a West Point graduate, internationally renowned combat leader, entrepreneur, and former trusted adviser to three 4-star generals and two undersecretaries of defense. Chris’ multiple books instructed hundreds of military and business leaders, including: Zero-Sum Victory: What We're Getting Wrong About War; The Counterinsurgency Challenge: A Parable of Leadership and Decision Making in Modern Conflict; and Leadership: The Warrior's Art, which has been in print for over 20 years. 

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.


Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/compelling_communications

 Thursday, July 24, 2025

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the July edition of our AIRIP 2025 Webinar Series – Past, Present, and Future of OSINT. 

Open-source intelligence has evolved from a niche methodology to a cornerstone of modern intelligence work in both the public and private sectors. Today’s practitioners face an environment characterized by unprecedented data availability, shifting norms around privacy, and the rapid integration of AI. Amid these dynamics, intelligence professionals must navigate complex ethical and operational challenges. This webinar brings together leading experts to examine how OSINT is evolving—what has been gained, what has been lost, and what the future holds for private-sector intelligence teams.

The panel will include Nico Dekens (ShadowDragon), Regina Morales (Telescope Research), Jordan Ponath, and Claudia Tietze (Farallon, LLC). The session will be moderated by Education Committee Chair Harris Stephenson (FORESIGHT Reports). 

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar. 

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/Future_of_OSINT

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

3:00 PM ET | 2:00 PM CT | 1:00 PM MT |12:00 PM PT

FREE for Members and Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for this special edition of the AIRIP 2025 Webinar Series – The World Turned Upside Down? Transitioning from Government to Private Sector Intelligence.

Transitioning from the public sector to the private sector can be a daunting experience, marked by significant cultural, operational, and mindset shifts. While many seeking to make this transition will find that their skills and experience are highly transferable, challenges exist in understanding the nuances of a new industry, in effectively communicating how existing skills can be applied to a new sector, and in building a new professional network from scratch. This panel discussion – led by tenured private sector risk intelligence practitioners as well as those who have more recently made the transition – will seek to share best practices in overcoming these, and other, hurdles. Attendees will take away lessons on how to effectively make the transition and thrive in a new professional environment.

Panelists will include Melissa Blake (Apple), Claire Campbell (Moneycorp), Liran Goldman (Patreon), and Mark Listes (Pendulum Intelligence). Justin Crump (Sibylline) will moderate.

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar. 

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/world_upside_down

Please join us for the May edition of our AIRIP 2025 Webinar Series – Practicing Intelligence and Risk Management Around the World.

In this month’s discussion, we explore the practice of intelligence and risk management with practitioners operating outside of the US and Canada. From launching new intelligence shops and advising and supporting diverse clients, to operating in the field and navigating geopolitical shifts first-hand, we dive into what makes this work unique in other regions in the context of our shared mission. 

This panel discussion will feature experienced risk intelligence practitioners based in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America who provide unique perspectives on strategic intelligence, risk factors, and tradecraft in their regions. Attendees will learn about best practices for guiding and advising travelers/clients in new environments, top risks outside of North America, and how our panelists are thinking about major upcoming events.

Panelists will include Manuel Balcazar (MB Consulting), Declan Galvin (Exigent Risk Advisory), and Tzahi Shraga (MAX Security Solutions). Meirav Malter (NiSource) will moderate

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at:  https://www.airip.org/event/intel_around_the_world

Thursday, April 24, 2025

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the April edition of our AIRIP 2025 Webinar Series – The Role of Intelligence in Evacuations and Crisis Situations.

In today's complex and fast-paced world, the role of intelligence has never been more critical. Whether you are an intelligence analyst, risk professional, or executive protection agent, your ability to apply tradecraft skills, remain calm under pressure, and support colleagues or clients is essential in crisis situations.

This panel discussion will feature experienced practitioners who specialize in risk-based operational planning, leading evacuations, engaging with key stakeholders, and making rapid decisions when every second counts. Attendees will gain valuable insights into crisis adaptation, effective problem-solving strategies, and best practices for delivering critical information to those who need it most.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at:  https://www.airip.org/event/Evacuations

Thursday, March 27, 2025

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the March edition of our AIRIP 2025 Webinar Series – Scenario Analysis: How to Think About the Future.

The process of using scenarios to forecast possible futures is a key part of any intelligence team’s toolkit.  This webinar will feature a panel discussion on the best practices for undertaking scenario analysis, including pitfalls to avoid when thinking about the future.

Panelists will include Will Huser (New York University); Kieran O'Leary (Emergent Risk International) and Aleksandra Szylkiewicz (Salesforce). Bryan Parent will moderate.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at:  https://www.airip.org/event/scenario_analysis

We are thrilled to gather in the Greater DC area (June 10-12, 2025) and are honored to be hosted again by Capital One. We invite you to submit your proposal for an educational session or workshop. 

To view the Call for Proposals, click here.

We look forward to receiving your proposals.

Thursday, February 27, 2025

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the February edition of our AIRIP 2025 Webinar Series – Generative AI in Intelligence Analysis: Best Practices & Future Applications.

We are mixing it up this month!  This 90-minute interactive thought exercise will explore the current best practices and potential future applications of generative AI in intelligence analysis and risk workflows. Panelists and participants will work together to build a landscape of current specific use cases for incident response, forecasting, and protective intelligence practitioners.  

In the panel discussion followed by break-out working groups, we’ll look ahead to what’s next by generating ideas about how this landscape might shift and change in the year ahead. We’ll work as a group to explore the blind spots and biases in how we’re thinking about generative AI and its application to the important work we all do, ensuring we address critical vulnerabilities and enhance the reliability of our workflows.

Panelists will include Jim Brooks (Seerist) and Rob Crowley (Dataminr). Meaghan Gruppo (Open AI) will moderate.

Tentative Agenda:

• Introduction (5 minutes)
• Moderated Conversation (25-30 minutes)
• Breakouts: Interactive Structured Brainstorming (30 minutes)
• Wrap-Up (25 minutes)

This event is limited to 90 registrants.  Please only register for the event if you plan to attend live.  The Introduction, Moderated Conversation and Wrap-Up will be available in the AIRIP Knowledge Center for AIRIP members after the event.

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at:  https://www.airip.org/event/generative_ai_in_intel

Thursday, January 23, 2025

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the January edition of our AIRIP 2025 Webinar Series – Making the Jump: Career Transitions from Public to Private and Back Again.

Taking on a new position can bring a host of new challenges, especially when moving to or from the public and private sectors. This panel discussion will feature practitioners from both sides of the fence discussing their experiences navigating career transitions. Attention will be paid to transitions from public to the private sector, but also from private to public. Attendees will take away lessons on how to adapt to a new sector and how to work with new colleagues coming from different backgrounds.

Panelists will include Jenny Ley (Google), Becky Root (Concentric) and Todd Woodard (U.S. Department of State). Maria Robson Morrow (Harvard Belfer Center) will moderate.

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/Making_the_Jump

Thursday, December 12, 2024

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the December edition of our AIRIP 2024 Webinar Series – Key Risks in 2025: Best Practices in Strategic Outlooks.

In today’s fast-evolving landscape, forecasting emerging risks is a critical skillset. This expert-led discussion is designed to help examine key risks for the coming year across sectors. Our AIRIP experts will also share lessons learned and analytic insights to support work in building predictions, developing forecasts, and leveraging scenarios and games in your organization. We will tackle questions like:

• Based on what we experienced in 2024, what are the top three risks you are watching for 2025?
  
  
• How do you sift through the intelligence “noise” to identify risk indicators?
  
  
• How do you assess risks tied to black swan, dark horse, or grey rhino events?
  
  
• What role does cross-functional collaboration play in developing strategic outlooks?

To address these questions and more, this webinar will bring together private sector experts who have experience helping companies and clients think through and build resiliency against long-term risks.

Our expert panelists for this discussion are April Arnold (True North Risk) and Drew Brasfield (Dominion Energy). Connor Haseley (Ergo) will moderate.

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/2025_Risks_Outlooks

Thursday, October 24, 2024

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the October edition of our AIRIP 2024 Webinar Series – Security Planning and Managing Global Events – Lessons Learned from the Paris Olympics.

Planning and managing private and public sector security for large global events - like the Paris Olympics - is challenging and complex. Ensuring the safety of attendees at major events is paramount.

• What were valuable security insights and lessons learned from the Paris Olympics for security professionals who may help coordinate, manage, and monitor future large-scale events?
  
  
• What new key security measures and strategies were implemented?
  
  
• What were the overall security results?
  
  
• How can these lessons learned be applied to future events?
  

To address these questions and more, this webinar will bring together panelists from the public and private sectors who have on-the-ground firsthand security experience at the Paris Olympics and other previous large global events.

Panelists will include Mary Hackman (VISA), Mehrab Karim (Marriott International), and Phil Walker (U.S. Department of State – OSAC).  The session will be moderated by Bina Surati (McDonald’s).

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/planning_managing_globalevents

Thursday, September 26, 2024

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the September edition of our AIRIP 2024 Webinar Series – Demystifying Public-Private Partnerships: Establishing and Managing Relationships.

Public-private partnerships seem to be everywhere. In the corporate intelligence profession, these relationships can bring valuable insights and new challenges. How can intelligence professionals take advantage of and navigate these partnerships? To answer that question, this webinar will bring together perspectives from the public and private sectors to provide best practices on how intelligence teams and functions can benefit and thrive.

Panelists will include RitaBeth Crague (Lumen Technologies), JB Cuartas (USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)), Bob Kolasky (Exiger) and possibly others TBA. The session will be moderated by AIRIP Board Member Mark Listes (Pendulum).

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/public-private_parnterships

August Webinar – “Supply Chains and Intelligence Teams: Opportunities from Collaboration”

Thursday, August 22, 2024

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the August edition of our AIRIP 2024 Webinar Series – Supply Chains and Intelligence Teams: Opportunities from Collaboration.

In this webinar, we will have a conversation about how intelligence teams can support and collaborate with supply chain-focused stakeholders. We’ll focus on areas where intelligence teams can add value to supply chain teams frequently traveling in the field and how supply chain teams can also provide a two-way information channel. The panel will also dive into navigating differing perspectives between intelligence and in-region teams around security issues, due diligence on new operating environments, and balancing tactical and strategic analysis.

The Panel will include Kevin Biggs (independent consultant), Patrick Kane (Atlas Air), and Ann-Elise Quinn (Thomson Reuters Special Services). The session will be moderated by Education Committee Monthly Webinar & Ad Hoc Events Lead – Harris Stephenson (FORESIGHT Reports).

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/supply_chains

July Webinar – “Well-Being and Resilience: Building a Healthy Risk Intelligence Team”

Thursday, July 25, 2024

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the July edition of our AIRIP 2024 Webinar Series – Well-Being and Resilience: Building a Healthy Risk Intelligence Team.

In this webinar, we will have a conversation about well-being and resiliency in the intelligence space. We’ll focus on what we can do as leaders for our teams of analysts, and what analysts can do for themselves to ensure a safe and healthy career.

The Panel will include Andrea Lampros (UC Berkeley); Ryan Long (INTELAB Ventures), and Andreea Patra (Bank of America). The session will be moderated by Education Committee member Bryan Parent (LinkedIn).

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/healthy_teams

May Webinar – “Security & Intelligence: A Non-Profit Approach”

Thursday, May 30, 2024

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the May edition of our AIRIP 2024 Webinar Series – Security & Intelligence: A Non-Profit Approach.

In this webinar security leaders at non-profit organizations and not-for-profit institutions will provide insights into their security and intelligence programs. Panelists will discuss how to build resilient security programs, how they utilize intelligence to assess global risk exposures, and how they leverage internal teams and external networks. The Panel will include Steve Franklin (Compassion International), Julie Friend (Northwestern University), and Mark Lowry (Rotary International). The session will be moderated by David Nicholas (The Brookings Institution).

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/nonprofit_approach

AIRIP’s 7th Annual Global Intelligence Forum

Modern Risk Intelligence: Strategies for Success
_________

June 11 - 13, 2024
Capital One Center, 1680 Capital One Dr., McLean, VA 22102

https://www.airip.org/event/7th_Ann_Global_Forum

April Webinar – “Using Risk Indicators and Forecasting Risk”

Thursday, April 25, 2024

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the April edition of our AIRIP 2024 Webinar Series – Using Risk Indicators and Forecasting Risk.

The global risk landscape has become increasingly complex; the World Economic Forum describes it as a “polycrisis,” in which multiple and often disparate risks are interacting to exacerbate the challenges facing organizations. The crises that do emerge – from conflicts to climatic events – often seem unpredictable. To adapt to and thrive in this environment, organizations must not just react to events but forecast and prepare for emerging risks.

Join AIRIP as our expert panel discusses the tools and techniques that organizations can use to identify and assess how the risk landscape is likely to evolve and where new crises may emerge. Panelists will include Karen Lauer (Amazon) and Pranoti Surve (Philip Morris International). The session will be moderated by Barnaby Fletcher (Control Risks).
 
If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar. 

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/riskindicators

March Webinar – “Evaluating and Vetting Corporate Intelligence Vendors”

Thursday, March 28, 2024

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the March edition of our AIRIP 2024 Webinar Series – Evaluating and Vetting Corporate Intelligence Vendors.

The corporate intelligence space is crowded with vendors offering a smorgasbord of seemingly endlessly customizable options for intelligence teams. Different vendors offer everything from broad, all-source intelligence solutions and GSOC support to bespoke and highly contextual reporting to their clients. Join us as we discuss how to thoughtfully and methodically evaluate a corporate intelligence vendor based on the capacity and remit of your in-house team, vis-à-vis your existing vendor stack, and in line with your company’s risk tolerance and culture.

Panelists will tentatively include Claire Campbell (Moneycorp), Katherine Tucker (Harvard) and possibly others TBA. The session will be moderated by Education Committee member Amanda Ingman (Roku). 

If you have questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them in advance to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate these questions into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar. 

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/vettingintelvendors 

February Webinar – “Analyzing and Writing on Sensitive Subjects”

Thursday, February 29, 2024

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the February edition of our AIRIP 2024 Webinar Series – Analyzing and Writing on Sensitive Subjects.

Global conflicts, from Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, or cross-Strait tensions between China and Taiwan have challenged intelligence analysts to write accurately, but sensitively about topics that may be personally, emotionally or culturally difficult for themselves, their clients, readers or colleagues. However, conflict, history and religion are not the only sensitive subjects that will create challenges for analysts in 2024. The US and other elections this year will draw companies into polarized politics, where differing views of environmental problems, diversity, equity and inclusion and other issues will require the intelligence profession to walk a fine line.

Join us for a panel discussion on best practices for writing on these and other sensitive subjects, with a panel of experienced industry professionals TBA. The session will be moderated by Education Committee member Kieran O’Leary (Emergent Risk International).

If you have advance questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate questions submitted in advance into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/sensitivesubjects

AIRIP’s 7th Annual Global Intelligence Forum

Modern Risk Intelligence: Strategies for Success

(Deadline for submission- 02/29/2024)

June 11- 13, 2024

Capital One Center, 1680 Capital One Dr., McLean, VA 22102

The Call for Proposals for AIRIP’S 7th Annual Global Intelligence Forum is now open. We are thrilled to gather in the Greater DC area (June 11-13, 2024) and are honored to be hosted by Capital One. We invite you to submit your proposal for an educational session or workshop.

The 2024 Forum will focus on the growing prominence of modern risk intelligence teams and the best practices these teams can adopt to ensure success within the wider business context. The Forum will provide high-value sessions to tackle fundamental questions about how intelligence professionals– from those starting their careers to more seasoned senior managers– can play a more impactful role in the success of their organizations.

Review the Call for Proposals guidance, prepare your proposal, and submit your ideas by February 29, 11:59 PM ET to the AIRIP Education Committee at executivedirector@airip.org.


We hope to see you in Virginia this Summer! Keep an eye on your mailbox, the AIRIP website and social media channels for further details!

The 7th Annual AIRIP Global Intelligence Forum will take place on Tuesday, June 11 - Thursday, June 13 at Capital One Center in McLean, Virginia - just outside of Washington, DC, and easily accessible by car directly off I-495 (Capitol Beltway) and just steps away from the Silver Line's McLean Metro Station.

More details will be coming soon but if you plan to attend the Forum plan on arriving by Tuesday, June 11 for a late afternoon registration and meet & greet. We'll meet all day Wednesday, June 12 and likely all day Thursday, June 13.

We hope to see you in Virginia this Summer - Keep an eye on your mailbox, the AIRIP website and social media channels, and the AIRIP Members Only Online Community for further details!

January Webinar – “LEADERSHIP AND INTELLIGENCE: Curiosity, Credibility and Communication”

Thursday, January 25, 2024

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the January edition of our AIRIP 2024 Webinar Series – Leadership and Intelligence: Curiosity, Credibility and Communication.
AIRIP Board Member and Education Committee Vice Chair, Dr. Maria Robson-Morrow (Harvard Belfer Center) will serve as moderator for our January 2024 webinar. Our expert panel will include AIRIP Membership Committee Chair, Klancie Lacy (Crisis 24) and AIRIP Education Committee member, Dr. Angela Lewis (Georgetown University).

We’ll discuss leadership development for intelligence professionals – including what unique skills intelligence professionals bring to leadership roles and what skills need to be developed in order to ‘level up.’

If you have advance questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate questions submitted in advance into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/leadershipandintel

December Webinar – “2024 SECURITY TRENDS & RESILIENCE THEMES: What Stakeholders Need to Know and How We Can Help”

Thursday, December 14, 2023
1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT
FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the December edition of our AIRIP 2023 Webinar Series – 2024 Security Trends and Resilience Themes: What Stakeholders Need to Know and How We Can Help.

AIRIP Board Member and past President, Justin Crump (Sibylline), will serve as moderator for our December webinar that will include an expert panel covering industry trends in 2024 and particularly addressing the theme of “gaining senior stakeholder attention,” that is so often requested by our community.

This session will help set the tone for what to expect in the challenging year to come. Topics covered will include:

• Examination of the key findings of The Business Value of Corporate Security research paper (hot off the press!)
• How we can help deliver sustainable commercial success through resilience, insight and crisis leadership in a volatile world
• Engagement with senior stakeholders — how can we truly get the Board and C-suite engaged in understanding and acting on geopolitics and related trends?
• Putting the AI in AIRIP — or not? What technological trends will impact us in 2024?

Panelists will include Derek Leatherdale (GRI Strategies), Rachel Briggs (The Clarity Factory) and possible others TBD.

If you have advance questions relevant to the topic, please feel free to submit them to executivedirector@airip.org. The speakers will attempt to incorporate questions submitted in advance into the discussion. Additionally, we will leave time for questions and comments submitted via the chat during the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/2024_trends

October Webinar – “Responding to Internal and External Pressures from Climate Change”

Thursday, October 26, 2023

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the October edition of our AIRIP 2023 Webinar Series – Responding to Internal and External Pressures from Climate Change.

The impact of climate change on organizations, particularly as it relates to business resilience and development, is no longer deniable. In addition to its effect on internal mechanisms, organizations are now being asked by clients and investors to account for their stance and impact on environmental topics.

Join us as we discuss how climate change is transforming how we think and respond to business resilience, government policy, and employee safety.

Panelists will include Andrea Davis (The Resiliency Initiative), Harris Stephenson (FORESIGHT) and possibly others TBD. The session will be moderated by Education Committee member Abigail Williams (NFL).

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/climatechange

September Webinar – “PROTECTIVE INTELLIGENCE: A Deep Dive”

Friday, September 29, 2023

12:00 PM ET | 11:00 AM CT | 10:00 AM MT |9:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the September edition of our AIRIP 2023 Webinar Series – PROTECTIVE INTELLIGENCE: A Deep Dive.

During this webinar we will do a deep dive into building and managing a Protective Intelligence team. The panelists will aim to balance the conversation between sharing their thoughts at a strategic and programmatic level, while also providing tangible tips for our members. In particular, the discussion will look at sustainable ways for determining PI equities, key areas of support provided to those equities, partnering with cross-functional partners and vendors, and developing metrics and case-studies to demonstrate a successful program to the wider business.

Panelists will include Kara Gronborg (NFL), Michael Husnik (Meta) and Charles Randolph (Ontic). The session will be moderated by Education Committee Chair Aditya Luthra (Meta).

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/PI_Deep_Dive

Thursday, August 31, 2023

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the August edition of our AIRIP 2023 Webinar Series – DEBATING COVID AND UKRAINE: Assessing Lessons Learned and Best Practices.

The COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine presented intelligence teams with a multitude of challenges and opportunities. What lessons have been learned or not learned from these crises? Join us as we discuss and debate the lessons learned from these crises. Attendees will also have a chance to contribute to a resource on lessons learned exercises.

Panelists will include Greg Hoobler (Sibylline) and others TBD.  The panel will be moderated by Education Committee member Harris Stephenson (FORESIGHT).

Please contact Harris (harris@foresightreports.com) if:

• You have a strong opinion on whether COVID-19 or the conflict in Ukraine provided greater lessons for intel teams and wish to participate as a panelist.

• You are willing to share unbranded templates on lessons learned exercises.

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/Debating_COVID_Ukraine

July Webinar – “TRAVEL SECURITY & INTELLIGENCE: Best Practices for Safeguarding Travelers”

Thursday, July 27, 2023

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the July edition of our AIRIP 2023 Webinar Series – TRAVEL SECURITY & INTELLIGENCE: Best Practices for Safeguarding Travelers.
With business travel steadily returning to pre-pandemic levels, security teams must consider assessing and enhancing their travel risk management procedures. Join AIRIP as we discuss the essential aspects of travel security programs and key considerations for ensuring the safety of employees traveling abroad. Topics covered will include: risk identification, briefings, communication, monitoring and providing real-time support.

Panelists include David Andrews (KPMG), Denise Flynn (Chevron) and James Wood (International SOS). The session will be moderated by AIRIP Education Committee member Jaina Mehta (Capital One).

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/travelsecurity

May Webinar – “Managing Disinformation Risks in Corporate Intelligence Settings”

Thursday, May 25, 2023

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the May edition of our AIRIP 2023 Webinar Series – Managing Disinformation Risks in Corporate Intelligence Settings.

Corporate stakeholders – CSOs, CISOs, corporate boards, risk and intel teams, communications professionals – are concerned about their risk exposure to disinformation campaigns. What types of assets – brand and reputation, supply chains, executives, customer base – are vulnerable? This panel session will explore this growing threat and discuss the role of security and intelligence professionals when it comes to risk mitigation. The panel will bring together experts on intelligent approaches to addressing nation state IO and disinformation campaigns.

Panelists will include Larry Cristini (Okta), Mark Listes (Pendulum) and Michael Robinson (Alethea Group). The session will be moderated by AIRIP Education Committee member Jorge Godoy Coy.

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/disinformation

April Webinar – “Intelligence Coverage of Protests and Demonstrations – Challenges and Best Practices”

Thursday, April 27, 2023

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the April edition of our AIRIP 2023 Webinar Series – Intelligence Coverage of Protests and Demonstrations – Challenges and Best Practices.

Whether at home or abroad, demonstrations and protests can pose a significant risk to businesses and their operations, employees, and reputations. Covering them presents intelligence challenges, given their unpredictability, fast-breaking nature, and long-term implications. Join us as we discuss intelligence coverage of protests and demonstrations, including such topics as:

• Analyzing and predicting occurrence and intensity.
• Understanding and anticipating the requirements of security, operations, public relations, C-suite, investors, and other internal intelligence consumers.
• Preparing to cover a demonstration or protest.
• Collection and assessment of fast-breaking, on-the-ground information.
• Ensuring ethical collection that adheres with relevant privacy laws.
• Rapid analysis based on fast-breaking events.
• Reporting techniques to support immediate demand for intelligence.
• Analyzing long-term implications of demonstrations and protests.

You will leave our discussion with a better understanding of covering demonstrations and protests and some best practices to take back to your team.

Panelists will include Jennifer Anthony (Meta), James Bosworth (Hxagon) and Clionadh Raleigh (ACLED). The session will be moderated by AIRIP Education Committee member William Linder.

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/protestsanddemonstrations

March Webinar – “GENERATIVE INTELLIGENCE: Does ChatGPT Have a Role to Play in Private Sector Intelligence Tradecraft”

Thursday, March 30, 2023

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the March edition of our AIRIP 2023 Webinar Series – GENERATIVE INTELLIGENCE: Does ChatGPT Have a Role to Play in Private Sector Intelligence Tradecraft?

Last November OpenAI released its generative artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, which generates text data in dialogue form in response to a user’s prompt. Advocates and critics have chimed in on the chatbot generated content’s benefits and pitfalls, arguing that the technology is nascent and thus too early to judge or that the models it is built upon requires further training to address ethics, integrity and intellectual property concerns. As intelligence professionals focus on gathering, analyzing, and extracting nuance from information sources in the intelligence production cycle, will generative intelligence play a role in private sector intelligence tradecraft? How can these tools be leveraged to support in any way private sector intelligence production? What lessons can be drawn upon for tradecraft from past technology breakthroughs like the advent of the internet?

Panelists will include AIRIP Member Meaghan Gruppo (Google) and other panelists TBD. The session will be moderated by AIRIP Education Committee member Jorge Godoy Coy.

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/generativeintelligence

February Webinar – “How to Build, Maintain and Leverage Your Network in Private Sector Security and Intelligence”

Thursday, February 23, 2023

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the February edition of our AIRIP 2023 Webinar Series – How to Build, Maintain and Leverage Your Network in Private Sector Security and Intelligence.

Join AIRIP for a discussion of how to leverage your network to improve your analysis and strengthen your regional expertise! In today’s online world, we often find ourselves overly reliant on social media and vendor sources and can be prone to neglect our most valuable source of expertise and knowledge, our industry peers and on-the-ground friends and contacts. In this panel we will discuss the importance of building and maintaining relationships across industries and best practices for benchmarking, information sharing, gaining valuable insights and incorporating this information into the intelligence process.

Panelists will include Mehrab Karim (Marriott), Garrett Khoury (TikTok), Angela Lewis (Salesforce), and William Linder (14 North Strategies). The session will be moderated by AIRIP Board and Education Committee member Alyssa Nayyar (Sibylline).

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/leverageyournetwork

January Webinar – “TEETERING TWITTER: Intelligence Sourcing, Methods, and Vendors Amid Uncertainty”

Thursday, January 19, 2023

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the January edition of our AIRIP 2023 Webinar Series – TEETERING TWITTER: Intelligence Sourcing, Methods, and Vendors Amid Uncertainty.

Twitter has long served as one version of a global town square.  A space where government officials, corporations, civil society, and individuals interact, and one that intelligence professionals have increasingly turned to for information.  Elon Musk’s purchase of the social media site has produced significant uncertainty over the platform’s utility and functionality.

Join AIRIP for a discussion of how the changes at Twitter and other social media platforms are affecting the collection of information and its wider impacts on private and public sector intelligence processes. Panelists include Dean Baratta (GitHub), Cory Bergman (Factal), and Mary Jane (MJ) Leslie (Chapter 3 Ltd). The session will be moderated by Education Committee member Harris Stephenson (FORESIGHT Reports).

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/teetering_twitter

Please join us for the December edition of our AIRIP 2022 Monthly Webinar Series – Global Elections, Intelligence Best Practices.

Over half of the national elections that took place in 2020 included some form of violence. In democracies and authoritarian regimes alike, violence and threats of violence are increasingly used to suppress opposition, intimidate voters, and erode public trust in governing systems. Private and public sector intelligence analysts are tasked with understanding which elections are at risk of violence and how that violence might impact the safety and security of their people and assets.

Join AIRIP for a conversation with Christopher Pang (Meta) and other panelists TBD.  The session will be moderated by Education Committee Chair Drew Zeiber (Meta).

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/globalelections

October Webinar – “BEST PRACTICES IN SPECIAL EVENT SECURITY”

Thursday, October 27, 2022

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

 
Please join us for the October edition of our AIRIP 2022 Monthly Webinar Series – Best Practices in Special Event Security.

From large public events like major sports tournaments and live entertainment, to semi-public events like shareholders meetings and conferences, security and risk professionals are often called on to support their organization’s or leadership’s participation in special events.

Join AIRIP for a conversation with Jimmy Young (Gartner) and other panelists TBD.  The session will be moderated by RitaBeth Crague (Lumen Technologies).

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/special_event_security

5^th Annual AIRIP Global Intelligence Forum

September 13-15, 2022

https://www.airip.org/event/5thAnnualGlobalForum

On behalf of the leadership team, Board of Directors, Education Committee and Staff, the Association of International Risk Intelligence Professionals (AIRIP) is thrilled to announce our 5th Annual Global Intelligence Forum.

This year's theme is "Post Pandemic to Endemic World: What Does it Mean for the Workforce" and while we're still finalizing the agenda, here's a preview of what you can expect:

Program and Agenda

Tuesday, September 13 (afternoon): Arrive in Chicago, check-in and join us for a late afternoon/early evening reception

Wednesday, September 14 (Morning) and Thursday, September 15 (Morning): Expect a Keynote Each Morning and a Variety of Speakers, Panels, & Sessions Such As...

• Extremism Threat Update
• We are seeing extremist violence globally emerge on the far left and far right ends of the spectrum.  How should we adapt our intelligence collection and monitoring techniques to address these evolving risks?

• Autocratic Regimes and Threat Actors
• Autocratic regimes present global security risks and specific risks to security operations and travel security worldwide.  How do we mitigate these evolving autocratic behaviors to continue providing a duty of care and risk intelligence services?

• Senior Stakeholder Panel
• Senior intelligence stakeholders, including RSOs, Political Affairs, Human Resources, and Legal/Compliance leaders from the private sector, will discuss how Risk Intelligence teams should structure our services for their needs in the post-pandemic era and their vision for risk intelligence services in the coming years.

• Barriers to Entry and Career Advancement in the Private Sector
• How do we overcome the hurdles for risk intelligence professionals transitioning into the private sector, and how can we remove limitations to career growth within the private sector?

• How Intelligence Teams Can Promote and Further DEI Practices in the Private Sector
• Discuss best practices that individual analysts can employ to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts in their workplace and our broader career field.

• Best Practices in Threat Assessments and Workplace Violence Baseline Analysis
• Tradecraft discussion on best practices in intelligence collection and stakeholder support for active shooter, mass shooting, and internal workplace violence risks and scenarios.

• Privacy and Human Rights Considerations in Emerging Intelligence Technologies/AI
• As global governments and the private sector increasingly employ predictive analytical technologies or artificial intelligence in their services, we will discuss how you can potentially employ these tools while remaining compliant with human rights, ethics, and privacy regulations at your company and in your global area of operations.

• Private Sector Resources for Kidnap and Ransom (K&R) and Hostage Incidents
• What resources are available for intelligence analysts during the kidnapping of an employee and the aftermath, including guidance on adherence to K&R insurance requirements and the chain of command within your company during an incident?

• AIRIP Business Update/Q&A
• Quick update on AIRIP from its leadership and the opportunity for Q&A

Wednesday, September 14 (Afternoon): Trainings

• Training Session #1: How to Cultivate Effective Intelligence Teams
• Training Session #2: How to Build an Intelligence Program from Scratch
• Training Session #3: Emerging Data Visualization and OSINT Techniques
• Training Session #4: Career Advancement and Negotiation Skills

Thursday, September 15 (Afternoon): Event ends; Depart Chicago or stay and make a weekend of it!

(All sessions subject to change)

What Else Can You Expect?

• Plentyof time for networking!
• Networking receptions on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in the City View Room at McDonald’s (roof-top bar)
• Opportunities to visit with AIRIP Business Partners 

Register Now at: https://www.airip.org/event/5thAnnualGlobalForum

July Webinar – “INSIDER RISK”

Thursday, July 28, 2022

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

 
Please join us for the July edition of our AIRIP 2022 Monthly Webinar Series –Insider Risk.

Risk can take many forms in the modern workplace. One of the most challenging areas for any security team to cover is insider risk. Insider risks occur when data that is valuable and potentially injurious to an organization is exposed. This can occur with malicious intent (insider threat) or by accident. Effectively managing the danger of insider risks requires the ability to differentiate between normal operations and nefarious and/or accidental behavior. This enables the company to manage these risks while minimizing the impact on legitimate activity and employee productivity.

Insider risk is especially difficult to mitigate in business environments driven by a culture of collaboration and openness. Efforts to share sensitive information to achieve business objectives can unwittingly expose individuals and teams to risk or provide insider threat actors with a means of access they otherwise would not have as part of their normal job duties. Understanding these risks, responsibly monitoring employee behavior while protecting privacy, ensuring data is only accessible to those who need it, and educating the workforce requires specialized training and a commitment from leadership to protect sensitive data. This webinar will explore lessons learned from those who have built and operated insider risk programs.

Join AIRIP for a conversation with Chris Wallace (Lumen Technologies) and other panelists TBD.

We will leave time for your questions and comments, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/event/insiderrisk

• Lisa Blimling
• Justin Crump
• Suzanna Morrow

The Board officers for 2022-2023 will be:

• Eduardo Mills, President
• Lianne Kennedy-Boudali, Vice President
• Michael Mallard, Secretary
• Suzanna Morrow, Treasurer

The following board members will be rolling off of the Board on May 31st.

• Chuck Randolph
• Dawn Scalici

We will forever be thankful to them for their service to AIRIP! 

2022 Annual Meeting of the Membership - Thursday, June 23^rd at 1 PM ET.  More details to come!

Summer Webinars in the AIRIP Monthly Webinar Series - Thursday, July 28^th at 1 PM ET and Thursday, August 25^th at 1 PM ET.

2022 AIRIP Global Intelligence Forum - Wednesday, September 14 and Thursday, September 15 at McDonald's Headquarters in Chicago, IL.  

We hope to bring you a hybrid event that meets the needs of those that can travel and those that are interested in participating remotely.  Hold space on your calendars all day on the 14^th and a half day on the 15^th.  More details to come!

May Webinar – “SETTING UP AN OSINT TEAM AND SHOWCASING TOOLS”

Thursday, May 26, 2022

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please save the date for the May edition of our AIRIP 2022 Monthly Webinar Series –Setting Up and OSINT Team and Showcasing Tools.

There are those in the intelligence world who think that if it's not classified, it's not really intelligence. Such an attitude ignores the ongoing revolution in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) sources and methods, and how much potential benefit there is for intelligence professionals in this realm. OSINT tools and methods carry incredible promise and peril. When effectively used, OSINT can greatly expand the capabilities of your team, adding more depth and nuance to your analysis, and aiding in better situational awareness during incidents and other emerging risk events. However, when misused, OSINT tools and methods can add unnecessary noise to your intelligence collection, burden your team with tools that don't add value, and in general be a drain on time, energy, and even money.

In this session, we'll focus on how to get the most out of an OSINT team, as well as available tools and methods. How do we best leverage OSINT for intel collection, and what considerations should be made when it comes to analysis? How do we maximize the benefits while minimizing the strain on time and resources?  What sort of skills should we be building to take advantage of OSINT sources and methods? How do we identify our needs and evaluate tools to fill those gaps? We'll dive into those questions and more, including case studies we can use to discuss the use of OSINT in our field.

Education Committee member Garrett Khoury (TikTok) will moderate this excellent panel, which will include Angie Gad (Flashpoint), Anthony "Tony" Midthun (Citi) and Lewis Sage-Passant (Salesforce).

We will leave time for your questions, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/events/register.aspx?id=1634908

Thursday, April 28, 2022

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the April edition of our AIRIP 2022 Monthly Webinar Series – Setting Intelligence Requirements and Understanding Your Audience.

We often speak about “knowing the needs of the business.” How do intelligence professionals identify their specific stakeholders’ needs and preferences, and determine how to deliver intelligence support in the most effective way possible?  What are the best practices for getting to know your audience within the company, from individual stakeholders, to teams across the organization, all the way to the C-Suite?  Setting intelligence requirements is not a common concept in business, and we often have to work with internal recipients of intelligence to refine the initial question into new questions and tasks that will be more effective at meeting their needs. In this webinar we turn to the “direction” domain of the AIRIP Knowledge Structure, based off the intelligence cycle, to discuss ways in which intelligence professionals in the private sector guide the direction of intelligence activity in their teams and ensure that it aligns with stakeholder needs.

Education Committee member Angela Lewis (Salesforce) will moderate this excellent panel, which will include Mary Hackman (Visa), Lauren Hoy (Pinterest) and Sam Talbott (Medtronic) and others TBD.

We will leave time for your questions, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/events/register.aspx?id=1630372

Thursday, March 31, 2022

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members and Nonmembers – Join Today!

You spoke and we listened. Please join us for the March edition of our AIRIP 2022 Monthly Webinar Series – Introducing the New AIRIP Knowledge Structure and Communities. In this session, the AIRIP leadership and Education Committee members will present the new knowledge structure, built around the key intelligence domains of: Leadership, Direction, Analysis, Collection, Dissemination, and specific private sector intelligence Specialties (such as Supply Chain and Geopolitical Intelligence). Many of you workshopped the domains at last year's Global Forum, and in this session the final approved knowledge structure will be presented, and members will have an opportunity to discuss and raise ideas of what you would like to see from AIRIP going forward. Leadership will also present the new communities, derived from the specialties, which give AIRIP members a chance to engage directly and benchmark on best practices. Join us on March 31st to learn how to get the most of your membership, leverage existing knowledge, and build new knowledge of our rapidly growing professional field.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/events/register.aspx?id=1620060

Thursday, February 24, 2022

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the February edition of our AIRIP 2022 Monthly Webinar Series –Critical Thinking? Subject Matter Expertise? A Close Examination of Private Sector Analytical Skills.

A multitude of analyst jobs and analytic trainings exist in the private sector intelligence field, but there is a vast range in what we mean by private sector intelligence analysis. What are the most common analytic traits that manifest in private sector teams, and how do analytic skills differ by industry, organization, scope of responsibilities, and even professionals' prior backgrounds? Moreover, when surveyed, what skills do analysts consider most important for doing their jobs? In this panel, we share new survey research by a leading academic/practitioner and draw on professionals with a range of prior backgrounds and experiences to shed light on the different manifestations of analysis in this field, and the skills that they look for that lead to success.

Join AIRIP for a conversation with Dean Baratta (GitHub), Andres Lalinde (ESPN), Angela Lewis (Salesforce), and Abigail Williams (NFL). The panel will be moderated by Education Committee Chair Maria Robson Morrow.

We will leave time for Q&A, so come prepared with your questions.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/events/register.aspx?id=1609450

Read it now at: https://hbr.org/2022/01/how-corporate-intelligence-teams-help-businesses-manage-risk.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT |10:00 AM PT

FREE for Members; $25 for Nonmembers – Join Today!

Please join us for the January edition of our AIRIP 2022 Monthly Webinar Series –Building a Strong Intelligence Team in This Time of the Great Resignation.

2021 witnessed unusually high resignation rates, with 4.5 million Americans leaving their jobs in November alone. Turnover was particularly high in the 30–45-year-old range, a key AIRIP demographic, as well as the demographic that many leaders in AIRIP have represented on their teams. How should intelligence professionals build and maintain strong teams during the period of the great resignation? AIRIP's inaugural 2022 webinar brings together experienced leaders at different stages of their careers to address this question and share their perspectives on how to craft strong teams and cultivate talent.

Education Committee member Lianne Kennedy-Boudali will moderate the panel, which will include Pranoti Surve (Philip Morris International), Lisa Kaplan (Alethea Group), and possibly another panelist TBD.

We will leave time for Q&A, so come prepared with your questions.

Register at: https://www.airip.org/events/register.aspx?id=1594714

Private Sector Intelligence is an industry that is poorly understood, both in the academic and professional literature, and in the public consciousness. Perception of the industry is generally governed by entertainment media, or by occasional front-page scandals that tend to emanate from the government contracting sector, yet tarnishes us all. This is a rather unhealthy situation for the sector, and as such the development of a formal and universal code of ethics for Intelligence practitioners in the private sector is a hugely important effort. With one, the industry will have a clear point of reference for verifying that our actions and activities remain on the right side of the ethical line. Without one, each new perceived or real scandal - even those relatively unrelated to our sector such as the Snowden or Manning leaks - carry the risk of inappropriate legislation, corporations wishing to distance themselves from the profession, and of our nascent profession being branded unethical. Our amazing panel, Dr. Christopher Bailey, Lewis Sage-Passant, and Lianne Kennedy-Boudali spoke to both a private and public sector perspective on ethical considerations of our field.

Members can check out the webinar recording here on the AIRIP Knowledge Center.

Thank you to AIRIP member Lewis Sage-Passant for this blog.

Thank you to breakout session moderators Mike Mallard and Melissa Zellner!

On September 17, during AIRIP’s Global Intelligence Summit Day Two, we started with a panel focused on what businesses found most valuable in the analysis provided by their intelligence teams. After hearing from three private sector intelligence managers and a supply chain vice president, AIRIP hosted breakout sessions for the members to discuss how they measure the success of their reporting and what changes they would make for the future. From these discussions came two key takeaways:

One: even when members provide quantitative-driven intelligence and analysis or use dashboards to present their analysis, measuring the success of that work is still hard and usually qualitative in nature. Key measures include:

• feedback;

• increased or improved requests and partnerships;

• recognition of our roles and scope;

• being invited – or even expected – to take a seat at the table (metaphorically) for meetings and discussions.

If these measures continue after the crisis has ebbed, this signals strong, enduring success.

Two: every experience is an opportunity to learn and improve, and an unprecedented crisis provides A LOT of such opportunity. The two biggest areas for change that members identified were: improving communication and planning for surge response. 

• Several members identified communications within their own teams or departments as a growth opportunity, while others agreed that better communication with different groups around their companies – in “normal” times and during a crisis – will be key to success. Taking the time now to lay that groundwork will better position us all for success.

• Similarly, identifying internal teams or resources with slack capacity, vetting service providers who can provide ad-hoc support, and building a framework for a quick, global response to a large event or crisis – these are all important advance work that will enable a “surge” response to business needs while creating space for work/life balance and breaks for the analysts and other teams involved.

Following Dr. Morgan’s thought-provoking presentation, AIRIP hosted breakout sessions so that members could discuss more in-depth their own ways of managing stress. In concert with Dr. Morgan’s suggestion of creating responses to stressors at a multitude of levels, here are some of the salient takeaways shared:

Biological: Members cited the importance of exercise, but also amending exercise habits to meet the moment (i.e. switching to online classes when gyms are closed). Also identifying the internal “want” to be lonely vice wanting company and adjusting (so, maybe alternating from solitary walks to distanced walks with friends). Someone also suggested focusing on an activity that commands all of your attention, like yoga or journaling, as a way to escape news/work/other stressors.

Self: One member shared a great insight from her boss: Prioritization is not saying no to bad ideas, it’s saying no to good ideas. Sometimes we need to actively turn away from an idea or activity we’d normally gravitate to, in order to maintain a personal boundary. It’s admitting there are things out there we should be doing but cannot do.

Another great idea offered from the group was using our professional skillsets to help us manage the crisis. One participant is a crisis manager at her company, and tried to break down Covid into various chunks in order to process and tackle it. Another member chimed in and said that when he first went into quarantine and there were so many unknowns, he used his skills as a researcher to dig as deep as he could into whatever information was available at that time – focusing on (and enhancing) the knowns vice the unknowns.

Group: One participant specifically cited creating a teaching pod for his kids and the kids of friends. Notably in order for this to work, everyone needs to be on the same wavelength as far as Covid behaviors.

Organizations: One member said that once quarantine was in effect, her team met daily on Zoom. This made her feel very anxious – often her kids were in the background, being loud, or she wasn’t feeling camera-ready. She finally approached her boss and shared her sentiments. Now she can choose whether they share their Zoom screens during the daily check, and can also decide whether or not to have mics on. This is a great example of compromising in the workspace – the daily checks are clearly important to the member’s manager, but she’s found a way to make them more manageable for her.

Another member emphasized the importance of building a culture of recognition at work to motivate and express thanks – providing both emotional support and career support.

Community: One participant championed simply holding calls to discuss anything other than work, using industry and team happy hours as a place to connect socially, beyond professionally.

Another member offered a suggestion of pivoting to online training across companies, keeping people engaged and learning new things – building a broader community across the industry.

Society: A member observed that covid has cut at trust being at the heart of society, and that we have to continue to trust in others, which is a challenge.

To learn more about Dr. Morgan’s work and approach to building resiliency, check out his LinkedIn profile!

Thank you to breakout session moderators Elena Carrington and Suzanna Morrow for this write-up!

We ran a little short on time, but Dr. Rebmann provided the attached handout providing a summary for the remainder of her talk. If she had to summarize her prediction for the remainder of the pandemic, "it's that it isn't going to end any time soon. A vaccine will greatly help us reach herd immunity levels, but only if we can convince people to take it and if we have infrastructure in place to do mass vaccination."

Regarding mask efficacy, Dr. Rebmann provided some of the most critical articles and research. These articles are available to members upon request:

Aydin masks

Brooks universal masking

Cheng masks

Fischer - gaiters

Hendrix masks

Kondo masks

Macintyre masks

Mueller homemade masks

Verma masks

On July 28, the Association of International Risk Intelligence Professionals (AIRIP) hosted a thought-provoking discussion on the importance of diversity in an organization, including both diversity of a workforce and diversity of thought. We welcomed former CIA analyst and author Carmen Medina and former FBI analyst and professor Jorhena Thomas to the webinar, moderated by AIRIP board member and head of geopolitical intelligence at RANE, DeNeige (Denny) Watson.

We invite AIRIP members to listen to the recording and view the below attached document, but if you’re pressed for time, here are some of the salient takeaways!

On Outside Perspectives

• Carmen pointed out that even if you present yourself as conforming to the traditional norms of an organization, the fact that you’re a minority (in gender, race, etc) means that you won’t be perceived that way. You may not think of yourself as a rebel but you will be viewed as one – and you need to be aware of that.

• Carmen also noted that assumptions of an organization can be hard-wired, especially true of national security being wedded to a Western European, myopic perspective. If you’re someone whose frame of reference is another geographic region and you want those perspectives included, you’re fighting an uphill battle. This isn’t to dissuade anyone from advocating for a different viewpoint, but rather something to be cognizant of.

On Communication

• When faced with a colleague who shares a derogatory stereotype or uncomfortable statement, Jorhena advises simply asking questions, like “why do you think that?” or “why did you say that?” or “where are you coming from?” Someone self-aware may take that moment to truly think about his or her biases, although Jorhena did note that this tactic might not work among non-self-aware coworkers.

• Carmen cautioned that she has made statements that she didn’t think were controversial, but were perceived to be – characteristic of a minority in a majority environment. Be aware that what you’re saying might come across as abrupt or antagonistic, simply because the group or person you’re addressing hasn’t heard a unique perspective before.

On Hiring

• One way to increase diversity in our field is to reconsider the level of qualifications that hiring managers establish for our roles. Denny shared a survey she participated in during her time at the CIA which explored success from employees with a bachelor’s degree vice those with a master’s. Her team found no statistical difference in performance reviews or career growth between the two degrees.

• Carmen noted that college students hailing from lower socioeconomic levels may be juggling side jobs and/or struggling with the psychological pressure of being the first in their family or peer group to attend college. This can affect performance and take a toll on grades. Therefore, hiring managers may want to truly consider the skillset of a candidate who doesn’t necessarily have the highest GPA but can still bring tremendous value to a team.

• Denny also nodded to the importance of diversity of thought, sharing an example of a CIA analyst with a bachelor’s degree in musical theatre and a master’s degree in applied math!

• Carmen stressed that the ideal intelligence analyst is a member of a great intelligence team. “No individual has all the skills or perspectives necessary. We need to think about building a team that has the talent to analyze the problem that we have to tackle.”

• Bonus suggestion! Create an ideal team description before creating an individual job description.

• Jorhena pointed out that diversity strategies may require tailored approaches based on management’s resistance to change. She illustrated her point using a traffic metaphor:  fast cars with momentum can overtake pedestrians who have the same right to the road. Sometimes pedestrians just need some leeway to get on that road.

• For a hiring manager reluctant to embracing diversity, Jorhena advises figuring out what argument would resonate. For example, if he/she is a data-driven person, point to the studies that show diversity is good for the bottom line. If leadership is more risk averse, offer to take on an untraditional candidate in a probationary status.

On Courage

• Denny stressed that managers should be willing to take a risk on someone who “doesn’t fit the mold” or doesn’t resemble the current team makeup.

• Carmen said managers trying to promote diversity might find themselves choosing between making a decision that’s right for career growth versus a courageous decision. She admitted the courageous decision isn’t always the right one. But we need to do it more often.

Final Thoughts

• Carmen: “I don’t think we can make progress on diversity and inclusion unless we have trust. Trust does not mean absolute confidence that a person can do a great job. Trust is when you allow a person to do the work even though you’re not sure they will succeed. Trust is a muscle; you have to exercise it.”

• Jorhena: “I would point to self-awareness in ourselves. You don’t have to be a hiring manager to help in this realm. All of us, no matter our role, can help by being self- aware: understanding why we say what we do, what we call our colleagues on, etc. Words lead to actions.”

I will begin this post, as I do most conversations in life, with an (overly) revealing personal insight. I became an intelligence analyst for many reasons: the enjoyment of solving complex problems, soothing anxieties and empowering those exposed to risk, and to continue learning about and traveling the world. The remaining draw, and a surprising proportion of it, sprung from the perception that as an analyst, I would have relatively little reason to dedicate extensive energy to keeping up professional-social networks. I assumed my colleagues would be a similar group of quietly diligent introverts and the work would be mission-oriented and require hyper-focus. No endless rotation of suave sales lunches necessary. This was the independent person’s dream job.

I succeeded for a long time in working, for the most part, intensely and in isolation. However, as I began to advance in my career it became clear that the intelligence field is not special in basic career principles, like upward opportunities requiring less of the tactical skills that set you on your path in the first place. As a Program Manager in Microsoft’s Center of Intelligence, much of my focus is on motivating a team towards a shared vision. I am still amazed at how much time and energy it takes to do this.

It took me a while to get settled into a management rhythm and one of the first things I noticed when starting out was how few peers I felt I could turn to and how little practical training there was. As our field grows, management opportunities are increasing. My aim here is to open a conversation about intelligence management in the private sector, especially in a larger organization.

While most of the analysts I know are very sociable, I suspect I may not be the only one who experienced some reluctance in transitioning to managing a team and having some hurdles to deal with along the way. Some truths and tools I discovered are below: 

#1 A New Perspective On Value and Achievement   

In my initial role as a manager, for years in fact, I argued to retain regional analytical responsibilities out of a discomfort with moving away from task-oriented work as an independent contributor. I clung hard to the tangible list of reports written. In case you missed that, I actually argued for more work for years. In many ways, this setup was what I needed to baby-step my way out of my comfort zone. I am proud of what I achieved. I matured and worked harder than ever, gaining a new respect from my peers–turned-reports. Looking back though, I made life far harder than it needed to be. My fear of relinquishing the subject matter expertise, and the task list of reports that proved it, stunted me from seeing my own value in a different way.

#2 Beginners On-Set Doubt: Sometimes It’s Not You, It’s Them

Whether you are new or familiar to your team, they will doubt you. If you were promoted internally, it can be particularly difficult to redefine your value proposition, not only getting comfortable with it personally, but in how you relate to people who were accustomed to working with you in your past role and/or are unsure what your new role will mean for them. When I was first promoted one former peer said to my face, “I just thought you would be doing more of an administrative role.” 

It is important to accept that doubt and skepticism are not personal, but a natural part of change and growth. In my observation, most successful people come to accept that they will never please everyone -and your energy is better spent on other aims.¹

#3 Make Your Map

As a manager, particularly in middle-management, your priorities can be elusive. You’re the one who must fuse the interests, skills, needs, questions and so on of your team with top-down strategy from leadership and the broader organization to execute on a plan. It can be easy to feel that despite your best-laid plans, you’re the team Monkey in the Middle. 

A couple of years ago, when a partner organization started a massive new cross-functional project, as Intel’s manager I was added to a seemingly endless lineup of project meetings and a growing list of demands for knowledge, databases, and so on. Much of this was run through external consultants that had little context on my group’s function and role.

There is not much that demotivates me more than feeling like I don’t have considerable control of my day-to-day.  This project was a wakeup call. I could no longer rely on my natural defaults of nice and flexible. If I were to continue to develop myself and team in meaningful ways autonomous to the obligations of this project, I had to be able to define sound personal boundaries. As a nod to Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People² and many other leadership books, I investigated my own passions, interests, and long-term vision – yes, to include my life as a whole - to set my personal roadmap. Clarity of vision not only provides a source of renewed passion and tenacity, but it also helps you to distinguish and communicate the work that you must do from what may not matter as much.

#4 Visions That Align

In the book Better Together : a Little Book of Inspiration by Simon Sinek (famous for the viral video on millennials in the workforce), the author talks about the concept of “finding a vision” for your work. Sinek argues that there is a misperception that everyone should have or make up a unique vision - when really it is okay to find and follow an existing vision that resonates with you. I agree. Once you have a sense of your personal roadmap, the next step is to understand where those convictions align with your organization’s vision. Discuss with your boss how you see the vision and your part in it. This goes far to build trust and motivate. 

#5 Meetings: Squeeze Out Every Second

The importance of communication within a team, or in any relationship in life, is immutable, well-known, but difficult. In my role, most communication is done in remote meetings. When most of your team dialogue occurs without eye contact or body cues, relies on the mute button, and startles with the occasional baby coo, dog bark, and Starbucks barista, it can be difficult to gauge whether you are creating a culture of clarity, energy, and action.

While there is no simple fix to creating positive, inclusive, and effective communication across a team and beyond to stakeholders, I strongly believe that a big part of a manager’s role lies in maximizing meetings[3]. Meetings get a bad rap. There are plenty of great office memes that I wanted to insert here. But in my experience, getting meetings right is critical. When done well, it is hard to identify a better return on investment. They nourish team culture and offer a nursery for productivity.

This short book is a great resource for improving meetings. I also have a few golden rules of my own.

•  Your own rhythm: Don’t fall for the lure of the recurring meeting. They are stable and comfortable, but passionless. Meetings can have some consistent structure or guiding questions, but for the most part, they should be original each time. Yesterday’s meeting is not what you need today.
• Active agenda: Consider carefully what to discuss. Send an agenda with time allocations for specific topics in advance. Know who and why each member is participating. Factor in team and personality dynamics as you work through topics. Then, get to the point and don’t beat around the bush. Nobody enjoys wasting time.
• The “follow-up” note: Notes significantly affect accountability and action. They are also an underacknowledged tool in connection. Good notes show that we are listening to others.³

#6 Training: Establish Your Expectations & Write Them Yourself

The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz offers a lot of comparisons to private sector intelligence. Horowitz, a leading Silicon Valley entrepreneur, offers advice on making start-ups succeed and offers non-traditional business advice. One of the most impactful concepts I took from this book was on training. Horowitz argues that managers should train their employees directly. He tells the story of when he was the director of product management at Netscape and was frustrated with an underperforming team and with the lackluster trainings offered by consultants. Inspired by Andy Grove’s classic High Output Management⁴, he wrote a short document titled Good Product Manager/Bad Product Manager. In a short time, his team became the highest performing in the company. When Horowitz moved on to LoudCloud, he invested heavily in in-house training and credits this with the company’s success.

Horowitz’s Good Product Manager/Bad Product Manager document was surprisingly simple. It was so approachable, I decided to write something for our organization. 

This guidance has given us solid baseline expectations for performance management. As we grow, and attrition becomes more a part of our rhythm, this also has become an avenue to share our cultural heritage (architecture of partners, products, processes), and hopefully to maintain the integrity of the sources of our success. 

Illustration

A lot of time management is helping people see things; putting visuals to ambiguous concepts, conveying the perspective of another organization, and taking the time to make presentations for your team.  Personal rule-of-thumb: If your external partners could use a demo or educational session on your ideas/project, your team will too.  

#7 Professional Athletes: Whole Person Approach 

One thing that I discovered early on was that my team was very open to training and development around non-technical skills, like personal growth, leadership, and soft-skills that enhance effectiveness. I think analysts who work remotely benefit particularly well with this type of exercise. For example, several years ago our team was making initial steps to divest some legacy work but struggling with how to do it without risking relationships with these same partners. At our in-service that year, I asked the team to read the Harvard Business School case study on the fateful 1996 Mount Everest expedition and prepare to discuss some questions around business decision-making. The debate and answers the team gave were surprising – and fun!

I remember asking, ‘Who is our team most like - is our character more akin to the paying client or the confident guide?” Every analyst responded the same, “Neither…the Sherpa” (spoiler alert: the Sherpas die.) This story gave us words and images to discover characteristics of our collective nature and how we interact with partners, good and bad. 

I was nervous to introduce these topics at first. I had a pit in my stomach the night before the Everest talk. But once I saw the benefit, we added them in whenever we had time together.

Energy Work

An area I focus on a lot is energy. It is my firm belief that analysts have a unique challenge in combatting professional burnout and fatigue.⁵ How they learn to manage themselves – beyond time management - and work collectively is critical to retention and job satisfaction.  Sports analogies, such as periodization, are a great tool. (Check out: the TED Talk by Tony Schwartz: The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working and other content from The Energy Project). 

We incorporated Energy Breaks from a concept developed by Mind in Motion, a group that helps revive executives from burnout and find purpose. During long conference days, the rule is to get up and away from your computer. I’ve seen analysts use this time to call loved ones, walk, and find ways to turn random office equipment into exercise devices. People really do open. And they remember these things (although they will never admit to it). After the flight home, as the to-dos pile up, they know that you have a holistic approach to excellence. They may take the afternoon to rest or ask for help.    

# 8 Release & Reflect

The analysts on my team are warm, collaborative, diligent, highly capable, and self-motivated. Back to golden rule #1; get out of your own way… and everyone else’s. Take time to look back at your goals from a few years ago – how far have you come? Read through a few old books, journals, or even mementos your team may have given you over the years. You put your heart and soul into this thing; feed yourself every now and then.

There is so much more I could write about. Would love to hear your thoughts,

Liz

• Director of Event Programming
• Director of Communications
• Director of Membership 
• Director of Outreach & Strategic Partnerships
• Director of Development
• Director of Best Practices

• AIRIP Leadership Circle
• AIRIP Women in Intelligence
• AIRIP Young Professionals
• AIRIP Career Development Council

Ryan Long, Intelligence Manager at McDonald’s will serve as AIRIP’s President. Ryan began his corporate career at McDonald’s in 2011 as the company’s first intelligence analyst where he helped architect and launch the Risk Intelligence function. He currently serves as the Director of Global Risk Intelligence which provides strategic decision support, issue and crisis management expertise, and threat and risk analysis on issues and incidents of potential impact to the organization's people, operations, strategy, and brand. Before arriving at McDonald's, Ryan was an Army intelligence officer focused on counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, serving in both active and reserve capacities including multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Ryan currently serves in the Army Reserves where he leads a group focused on analytic support to European counterterrorism efforts. A Veteran advocate, Ryan is the Chair of the McDonald’s Veteran Employee Resource Network and a board member of the Veterans Leadership Council, the nation's premier business network for the current generation of Veterans. He also serves as an associate board member for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Ryan has a bachelor’s degree with Honors in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a law degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

Elena Carrington, Intelligence Manager at Square will serve as AIRIP’s Vice President. Elena Carrington manages the travel security and geopolitical intelligence portfolio for Square, a mobile payments company based in San Francisco.  Prior to this role, Elena provided strategic and tactical analysis during tenures with United Airlines, the U.S. Department of State's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), and the International Monetary Fund. She has a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in international affairs. 

AIRIP has also added three new board members, and Rachel Bode – President of AIRIP from 2015 to 2017 – will also roll onto the board to continue her role in leadership. Joining Rachel and the current board members are:

John Goldener: John Goldener is Director of Client Engagement for Crumpton Group, LLC, where he leads efforts to design intelligence-led engagements for private sector Clients in international markets. He was previously Director of Research and Analysis for the company, where he ran a team of analysts and global collectors that produced comprehensive, customized assessments and intelligence services, created in-house and embedded intelligence programs, and designed training and tradecraft curricula for analysts.

Marissa Michel: Marissa serves as the US Territory Crisis Lead for PwC's Global Crisis Center – a global virtual hub of excellence for all aspects of risk and crisis response; a team of crisis experts who access and convene the best skills, experience and knowledge from across our worldwide network of member firms in 157 countries to help organizations prepare for, respond to, and recover from the crises they face. She operates within PwC's Forensics Services/Strategic Threat Management Group, where she is also the operations director, and this vantage point gives her a view across the firm's broad capabilities that can be brought to bear on their clients in crisis.

DeNeige Watson: DeNeige (Denny) Watson spent most of her career as an intelligence analyst at the CIA. Denny has been the Executive Director of the RiskDesk at RANE (Risk Assistance Network + Exchange) since February 2015 where she leads a team of analysts who provide integrated global risk analysis and services to clients. Denny also is currently an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University, where she teaches a course in critical thinking in analysis, as well as George Washington University where she taught a course in data analysis and cyber security.

The board is excited for this next chapter in growth for the organization. Ryan and Elena have many ideas for events, member engagement, opportunities for members to serve on potential committees and more. Please join us in welcoming them!

AIRIP member, Joseph Slattery, is an embedded contractor for a leading technology company where he manages the Executive Security Operations Support program. The program consists of real-time intelligence monitoring and operational support for the executive protection and event risk management teams. Previously, he served 6 years in the United States Navy as an Operational Intelligence Specialist, where his role ranged from Maritime Interdiction and Security Operations to Cyber Intelligence. Further, after his military service, Joseph worked in law enforcement and casino surveillance.

Throughout the Close Protection Community there has been growing interest and discussion in the value of using Intelligence. While the ongoing focus has centered around Strategic and Protective elements of Intelligence, an equally important element is Operational Intel. Operational Intel (OPINTEL) is the continuous monitoring and gathering of information from multiple sources to create intelligence that is directly related and impactful to an ongoing operation occurring in real time. A dedicated OPINTEL team serves as a single entity for real time operations support which bridges the existing gap between a problem and the solution.

When employing OPINTEL it is imperative to shift the mindset of what the Operations Center’s function should involve. Traditionally, the focus has been on access control, dispatching, and acting as a liaison to Law Enforcement. These functions remain an integral part of operations, however, to properly utilize the OPINTEL functions the following responsibilities must be incorporated:

1. Maintaining Operational and Situational Awareness

2. Operational Intelligence Monitoring

3. Reach Back Availability

Maintaining Operational and Situational Awareness is critical for OPINTEL as it serves the function as being the all-knowing team in relation to time and space for assets, events, and details. Operational Intelligence Monitoring should provide real-time monitoring of media reports that occur in the areas of operation. This should entail a continuous, collaborative effort to search for any reporting that may negatively impact an ongoing or future operation. OPINTEL should be a trusted source for all agents acting as a single point-of-contact to directly resolve issues. In the event that an issue needs to be escalated to other groups, OPINTEL ensures follow through, tracking the outcome, and reporting back to necessary parties. Reach Back Availability allows access to all levels of resources, efforts, and solutions in a streamlined and timely manner.

To successfully implement an OPINTEL program, consistent training including OPINTEL Analysts and Agents would be highly recommended. Training would allow for the opportunity to establish trust, have parties become cross-trained for a better understanding of individual roles, and to allow for context and communication.

Teyloure was a mentee in AIRIP's first mentor program session in Summer-Fall 2016. AIRIP will be starting up another round of mentoring in April 2017, so start to consider if you would like to be matched as a mentor or mentee. Hear what Teyloure had to say about it...

First, thank you to everyone involved in making the AIRIP mentor program a success! I found my participation in the program to be extremely valuable. Fresh out of college and new to risk intelligence, I entered the program wildly passionate about research and utterly lost in corporate America. Utterly lost may be an exaggeration, but the transition from academia to private-sector intelligence proved challenging.

Discussion around careers in risk intelligence is limited in the academic community, particularly regarding private-sector employment. I expected my post-graduation career path to follow a handful of trajectories. Nobody tells you, or perhaps I lacked the intuitiveness to discern, that in reality – picking a career in risk intelligence is much like a hyperbolic version of Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.” Rather than two, it feels as if 47 roads diverged in a wood, and each is equally as enticing – bringing the esoteric security concepts of academia to the boardroom. Going into the mentorship program, I knew I wanted to continue my career in risk intelligence, but I was entirely unsure how or what direction I wanted to go.

I had the opportunity to meet with my mentor, Jessica, in person on several occasions in addition to our regular phone and email exchanges. Hearing about her experiences and the uncertainties she felt throughout the course of her career was not only insightful but comforting as well. She offered a wealth of information and advice that only someone in her position could, advice from someone who had done precisely what I hope to do.

In our first conversation, I detailed my personal and professional interests as well as my job description. While these topics consumed my daily life, I had compartmentalized my interests so that mentally I had a box for personal cybersecurity research, a box for personal Russian studies, a box for work strategic planning and so forth. Jessica pointed out that my current job responsibilities did not reflect my passions in risk intelligence. This truth was something that I had either unknowingly or subconsciously been avoiding. However, Jessica quickly followed-up with advice. She explained that a lot of us are in new positions, positions that nobody has held before and that there are positions yet to be created – particularly in cybersecurity. My dream job, applying my background in post-Soviet studies to understand cybersecurity threats, is not a current position at my place of employment - because of funding constraints and current institutional organization. The need for similar positions is agreed upon by a growing number of professionals. Jessica put me in contact with a gentleman who started and runs one of the only private-sector fusion centers bringing together cybersecurity experts and intelligence analysts to address cyber threats. Conversations with him were extremely helpful and I was able to take back what I learned to my home organization.

Luckily for me, I work under a boss who is supportive of my cybersecurity interests, and we have been working with other teams in the enterprise to bring together cybersecurity experts with our team’s intelligence analysts. While progress is slow, we have established working relationships and have identified future areas of collaboration. Jessica’s advice was reassuring in that while the job I want may not be a current position, there is support work I can do in the meantime. I have since met with individuals working on cyber threat intelligence issues and am confident that soon we will produce joint intelligence products.

These are simply a few highlights of my experience with the AIRIP mentor program. The program’s short duration forced me to articulate my career objectives, aspirations and concerns. This simultaneous retrospective and forward-looking evaluation of my career in risk intelligence is precisely what I needed to reorient, re-energize and confidently move forward. I highly recommend the program for anyone working in risk intelligence!

First Steps toward a Risk Intelligence Credentials Program:

Over a two-day period in mid-September 2016, a working group of industry professionals came together to discuss the feasibility and desirability of establishing a credentialing program for risk intelligence professionals. While all agreed it would be a challenging endeavor, it was unanimously decided that such a program would advance and elevate the risk intelligence analysis profession and it should be a priority for AIRIP.

Why?

The working group assessed that a credentialing program could help establish a common vernacular, a collective and acknowledged set of standards and processes, and serve as a milestone to enhance the legitimacy of the risk intelligence analysis profession. Further, a credentialing program would give hiring managers additional confidence in the skills of credentialed applicants and career development opportunities for new analysts.

What Will It Look Like?

The working group began the process of identifying key skills, knowledge, and competencies a professional risk intelligence analyst should possess. To guide the sessions, the working group used the intelligence cycle as a framework. The brainstorming session highlighted substantive differences in how the intelligence cycle is used (or not used) in various industries that employ risk intelligence professions. For example, military and governmental risk intelligence professionals’ processes can be very different than academic, private sector, or NGO processes. These differences, and the fact that many risk intelligence professionals move between sectors at various times in their careers, highlight the need for any truly valuable credentialing program to be inclusive of differences in industries.

Next Steps

The working group concluded that AIRIP would serve as a credible and appropriate body to develop and administer a professional credentialing program for risk intelligence analysts. AIRIP’s members come from many industries and AIRIP is prepared to develop a well-respected, meaningful credentialing program that will elevate the risk intelligence profession.

This program is a high priority for AIRIP and our board, but it will take time, support, and involvement from our members. The working group focused on the end of 2018 as a target date for our first test – we believe this timeline is achievable based on other credentialing programs with whom we benchmarked. To be successful in this effort, AIRIP requires time, assistance from interested members, and funding that AIRIP has not yet identified.

How Can You Get Involved?

• Are you passionate about career development in the risk intelligence profession? Do you have time to devote to a credentialing project?
• What ideas do you have? Are there credentialing programs that you have enjoyed or disliked that could assist us in developing this program? Even if you don’t have time to devote to assisting us, we’d love to hear your suggestions.
• Do you know people who would like to get involved? Does your university or professor have an interest in this topic and might be interested in partnering with AIRIP?
• Would you or your company like to donate funds to support the development of a credentialing program?
• What key performance areas would you consider essential to the trade of being a risk intelligence analyst?

Reach out to AIRIP via our contact us form with your ideas or to learn more about participating or donating.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest private foundation in the world with roughly 1500 employees and an endowment of over $40 billion. Guided by the belief that all lives have equal value, the Foundation works in developing countries to improve health and give people a chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, we seek to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. To accomplish these goals, we fund about $4 billion in grants and innovative partnerships per year, often taking financial risks that governments and the private sector will not or cannot take. The Foundation’s headquarters are in Seattle, and it has offices in Washington, DC, London, Beijing, Abuja, Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, and New Delhi and Patna, India.

I came to the Foundation last summer after 18 years producing and overseeing intelligence analysis on a range of issues in the federal government, and now serve as the Deputy Director for Risk and Threat Analysis within the Global Security Team. I was drawn to the non-profit sector by the prospect of being able to bring my analytic skills and management experience to bear on a different, but equally compelling mission. There are many similarities between the analytic work in the government and the non-profit sector, to include a need to develop a solid understanding of the needs of your audience, to craft clear intelligence questions, to ensure that analytic judgments are well supported and to write in a clear and concise manner. The team I lead has a brought set of responsibilities and a diverse customer set, ranging from working-level colleagues in the Foundation’s support units to the senior leadership of the programs that are directly engaged in carrying out the Foundation’s mission around the world. 

Our analytic work covers six areas:

Risk to Overseas Travelers and Offices. Foundation personnel travel to and in some cases live in far-flung regions of the world, where they gather information to best target resources, oversee grants, and consult with partners. Often the locations with the greatest need are in countries facing the greatest security challenges. Our job is to produce assessments of the risks to Foundation travelers and local operations, which can trigger additional security protocols, or potentially lead to a decision by Foundation leaders that the risks outweigh the benefits of travel to a particular destination. Our analysts scour open-source information, consult with Foundation personnel in our regional offices, and compare notes with counterparts in other organizations and with other experts.

Political and Security Challenges. In addition to assessment immediate threats to Foundation personnel traveling to or living in an area, our analysts work to identify relevant political and security developments and emerging threats in a country or region that may have an impact on Foundation staff, operations, or grantees working there. For example, we recently produced a piece highlighting the implications for Foundation operations of the leadership split in Boko Haram. Our flagship product is an annual assessment of the anticipated security challenges over the next year in each of the countries in which the Foundation is operating or considering operating. Its publication is timed to support the program offices’ annual strategy development process.

Persons of Interest. Our team assesses the risk from individuals who have demonstrated a potentially threatening interest in or attitude toward the Foundation and its staff. We track and review their correspondence and communication with the Foundation, looking for indicators that the latest research in this field tells us might show signs of escalation toward an imminent violent act. When a potential threat is identified, we work closely with our partners in the Security Team and our legal department, and with local and Federal law enforcement to take appropriate steps to mitigate any threat. We produce a monthly summary of the most important cases to enhance the situational awareness of the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer and the General Counsel, as well as other members of the legal and Security Team.

Opposing Voices. The Foundation’s humanitarian efforts have earned it widespread respect and support, but some groups oppose various aspects of its work or investments. Most often these views are expressed peacefully, but it is our team’s job to look for signs that a group or members of it might be planning to commit violence or to physically disrupt Foundation offices or operations. When such signs emerge, we alert Foundation leaders and we work with our guard force, other security elements, and law enforcement to ensure that appropriate security measures are put in place.  

Due Diligence. As part of the Foundation’s processes for choosing grantees and making other investments, we look for reputational concerns or violations of US international sanctions and corruption regulations.

New Hires. In collaboration with human resources, we manage the Foundation’s background screening process. We verify that candidates have represented themselves honestly and assess whether an applicant might pose a security, behavioral, or financial risk.

Legal Disclaimer

This material is provided for information purposes only and does not represent professional advice. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the material and do not undertake to keep recipients advised of relevant developments. This material should not be relied upon to validate, endorse, or recommend any particular data, product, service, methodology, or organization, whether named or not. Accordingly, we expect you will consult competent professional advisors, as you deem necessary, when evaluating and utilizing this material. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation shall not be held responsible for any claims or losses that may arise from any error or omission herein.

When people ask me what I do, my reply -- “I work in global security intelligence for a major medical device manufacturer” --is often met with a nod and an “OK… what does that mean?” Fair question. In my previous job in national-security intelligence, people usually assumed I was a spy. Or they feigned understanding when I told them that I analyzed political and military developments in South Asia and the Middle East. At the federal level, intelligence analysis typically focuses on a particular geographic, functional, or technical topic. Federal analysts will zero in on a small slice—national governance, security ministries, or orders of battle—of a larger problem set, such as a country or region. In the private sector, the role of the risk intelligence analyst may vary, but the analyst is likely to have broad responsibilities, ranging across all aspects of a corporation’s interests.  In my job at SJM, one day may resemble another but rarely are those days consecutive. In just the last several months I have written products on security and business implications of impeachment proceedings in Brazil; assessed the Brexit; researched potential physical and data/IP implications of Pokemon GO™; crafted due diligence and country risk assessments; consulted with travelers heading to volatile areas; prepared incident notifications to our Crisis Management Team, and, from my dining room table, supported travelers in emergency situations. And these are just a few of the varied tasks that fall to our team.

Small Size, Broad Mandate

 The small intelligence staffs of the private sector account for the broad range of their responsibilities. In government, I was one of several thousand analysts at my agency, in an intelligence community of 18 member agencies. Now, I am one of two with intelligence responsibilities in a global security unit that totals fewer than 20 and supports an organization of over 18,000 employees. At its core, the role of the risk intelligence analyst in the private sector is to enable the conduct of business, through proactive identification, assessment, and mitigation, of risks facing company personnel, facilities, and operations around the globe. Daily duties include supporting travel security and assessing geopolitical and security risks facing the company, as well as tasks from other segments of the business, with a healthy dose of responding to emerging events or terrorist attacks. Questions that don’t have a clear answer wind up on our desks. A major challenge for the private sector analyst is providing solutions that enable business to be conducted. Some risks could be easily eliminated or mitigated by simply declaring an area off-limits, but the requirements of business—or research, or international aid—rarely allow for such a simple solution. Instead, we strive to offer solutions that allows operations to continue without exposing the organization or its people to undue risk.

Sources – Your Network is Invaluable

One constant from government to the private sector is reading and writing. Another is the value of a network of contacts.  Despite what the movies depict, most intelligence analysts are keyboard warriors, spending large chunks of their days researching  and writing assessments and briefs. Risk intelligence analysts largely consume open source information, news media, and vendor curated information. Just as important, they interact with counterparts across industry, government personnel, and, when appropriate, leaders within the business. In my experience,  these relationships are invaluable.  Although vendors or government sources often have excellent information, even richer information will come from people on the ground or from talking through a difficult situation with someone who has faced similar challenges. Distilling this information into a written product that adds value or raises awareness of potential risks—before they become real problems—is a core mission of the risk intelligence analyst. Written products can vary greatly by organization. Some teams may have a regular recurring product line supplemented by special requests while others may purely react to questions from the business. Perhaps the greatest opportunity for a risk intelligence team is to anticipate questions and have a written product available for leaders before they can ask for it.

BLUF is Essential

Like government and military leaders, senior executives do not have time to read 30-page reports on the latest developments in a country or region. Providing the bottom line, up front (BLUF)—why does this matter to me or to the business?—is key. At SJM, our written products have ranged from 12-15 page comprehensive risk assessments on priority countries to short, one-paragraph assessments on a developing incident. Most of our products -- on topics such as Brexit or the security environment following a major attack -- will be two to three pages at most. Incident notifications and post-event assessments will also be posted on our internal travel security pages for use by future travelers. For executive, high-risk, or complicated travel, we prepare tailored travel briefs with safety and security information, specific guidance, and practical travel information. But whatever the format, providing answers to the ‘so what?’ questions the CEO or business units may have allows them to make strategic decisions. Additionally, in crisis events, being able to quickly provide insight and nuanced assessment of impacts to the business can provide leaders with a major advantage as they consider employee and company safety and shape the company’s response to disruptive, dynamic global events.

Sam Talbott is a Global Intelligence Analyst for St. Jude Medical, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to joining St. Jude in May of 2015, he spent nearly four years as a political/military intelligence analyst with the Defense Intelligence Agency at US Central Command. While at CENTCOM he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and served on the command briefing team, presenting daily intelligence and operational updates to the CENTCOM command staff. Before working in intelligence, Sam traveled widely while working in business development for a major educational assessment organization. He is Vice Chair of the Midwest Regional Analyst Roundtable (MRAR) and an AIRIP member.

A huge thank you to Charles for his insights and for his leadership on our board, and to Microsoft for their partnership and membership in AIRIP!
*****

Intelligence Analyst – Five things your boss is thinking but may not tell you: TWO is surprising and FIVE is vital

1 – I’m also a critical thinker, I just may not use the same vocabulary as you: Hey, I may not use the same language, but I’m also analytical (I may just not realize it). By doing operational analysis, I’m developing courses of action (COAs) and making mission assumptions based on the facts in front of me. When on an operation or in an emergency, I’ll be using what I have gathered and developing COAs based on pre-thought scenarios and trends that are manifesting. Just like you, I’m a critical thinker; please, remind me of that from time-to-time.

2 – I need you to help me, help you, to help me: Your request for information (RFI) process may not be the same one that I am familiar with. I also may not fully understand how to ask for what I need or am unsure of what you can do. Therefore, I need you to take the lead in this dance. Show me what you’ve got and suggest we walk through the operations plan (OPLAN) together. When we do that, listen and ask questions. As an operator, I may not care about the form you need filled out, I do need your insight and keen eye towards pattern analysis to see something I don’t. Honestly, I need you to be my partner and educate to develop me.

3 – Sometimes, I need you to slow down: You can get excited, I get it (and I like that about you). But, if I’m excited and you're excited and we are all excited….well, I need you to be the one to slow down and make sure we are paying attention to detail and managing the little things which always come up in the form of Mr. Murphy – and his damnable law. Offer up some advice, ensure you stuff is double-checked before you hit send and be that calming voice. I’ve got a lot going on and sometimes I may just need to see someone being outwardly steadfast.

4 – You don’t have a crystal ball, I know that… let me know what you think anyway: I get it, you’re not 100%. Guess what, neither am I. I don’t need you to be all knowing (although, secretly I wish you were). I just need you to give me the best understanding you have and say the same. If it doesn’t go down the way you describe, I may get cranky…but I don’t blame you (I’m probably blaming myself). No one expects the black swan’s arrival, but I need you to tell me when you think conditions may be right for impending issues.

Finally, and most important…

5 – I trust you: From the mundane to the insane, you’re my go-to! I may always not say it, but you are.  I have a healthy trust in your abilities. This is why I ask you to brief first, set the tone and put a ‘realistic’ filter on what’s happening. The interwebs opened up a whole new meaning to the concept of ‘breaking news' and I can’t always be sure it affects our situation. I know you have my back, you understand my needs, and will tell me what’s important in the din.  Because you’re intelligent, professional, curious and thoughtful… I trust you.

this is dedicated to all my favorite analysts…

****

Serving on a non-profit board is a time commitment, and we are thankful for their support as we move into AIRIP’s second year. These board members, elected by the current AIRIP board, will serve AIRIP at a time of growth and change for the organization. They will attend their first board meeting in August, and we use that time to begin planning the next stages of growth for the organization, as well as check-in on some current initiatives. They will get the opportunity to see these initiatives into fruition as they serve a three-year term.

We are excited for the possibilities that leadership growth can bring to AIRIP, including membership growth, increased visibility, online community engagement, event attendance, and more.

Full board member bios are available on our new AIRIP Leadership page!

AIRIP Board Members:

Paul Florence, Vice President, Concentric Advisors

Jessica Hern, Global Intelligence Manager, St. Jude Medical

Linda Millis, Executive Director, The Daniel Morgan Academy

Alan Orlob, Vice President Global Safety and Security, Marriott International

Charles Randolph, Senior Director Executive Protection, Event  Security and Intelligence, Microsoft

Dawn Scalici, Government Global Business Director, Thomson Reuters

Meredith Wilson, Founder and CEO, Emergent Risk International

Intelligence analysts in the private sector often function as a team of one. Information sharing groups have been a tremendous force multiplier for single analysts and small teams in the industry. So while teams of one intelligence analyst are less and less common, the need for information sharing and benchmarking remains. Governments have teams across agencies focusing on issues and sub-sets of issues, or whole countries down to very specific geographic areas. But an analyst in a private sector organization could be expected to produce analysis on macroeconomic impact of the Brexit one day, security conditions affecting facilities in a high threat security environment the next, and the reputation impact of a cyber breach the third.

Arian Avila, Director of Intelligence and Analysis for Bank of America’s Global Security team, and Corey Vitello, Senior Director of Global Safety and Security at Visa, explore Information Sharing in AIRIP’s first white paper.

• Did you know there are example charters, and multiple group protocols to choose from?
• What internal stakeholders should sign off on participation? Will you need to clear each information sharing exchange, or does clearance for participation in a group mean that any information can be shared over a period of time?
• What will happen to information you share with other organizations? Will they protect your information?
• What does the information sharing process look like?
• How do you know what you can share outside your organization?
• How do you, or can you, share with competitors?

Ms. Avila and Mr. Vitello outline these and other potential concerns for you to consider as you look at joining an information sharing group.

To Share or Not to Share      

AIRIP’s member portal has great information sharing capabilities, with discussion forums and common interest groups, as well as a knowledge library. There are also many informal information sharing groups within the private sector intelligence space. As a current and alumni member of these organizations, I can vouch for their trust and authenticity, as well as the value they have provided to my intelligence practice. I encourage you to read our white paper, and then consider using AIRIP as your information sharing platform, joining one of the other information sharing networks already in place, or starting your own. 

This White Paper is available to AIRIP Members via our member portal. To view the white paper, we invite you to Join AIRIP!

Kristin Lenardson is a Senior Intelligence Analyst with AS Solutions for Nike. She has 15 years of experience in the intelligence field, spanning government and private sector positions. In 2013, she was chosen as a participant in the Intelligence Community/Department of Homeland Security’s Public – Private Sector partnership program to work on a one year project to produce an open source product on Identity Theft. She is an AIRIP member, and has been a primary creator and organizer of AIRIP’s mentor program. She is also a co-founder of The International Protective Security Board, an organization focused on training and career development in the protective security field.

Irish writer Oliver Goldsmith once said, "... people seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy." Having the right mentor can help you see yourself, steer you towards goals (often in spite of yourself), and provide another 'model to copy' for success. They are more than a colleague or a friend - they are a professional confidant who believes in you and gives time to help guide and refine your career and professional life.

Finding the right mentor, however, can be tricky; some mentors can be longer term, and yet others can advise on specific issues. In a perfect world, a long-term mentor is someone in a position or career you aspire to achieve. In the shorter term, this could also be someone with more experience to guide you through a specific professional issue or help with a career transition. 

I had the pleasure of having a very strong mentor who provided me with knowledge and support when I transitioned from the government into the private sector. I learned a lot through my experience, both positive and negative.

After ten years in the government, I left the FBI and moved to the corporate world into the position of Intelligence Analyst with a Fortune 500 company. The transition was slightly more difficult than I originally anticipated. It was a small team with few resources, and I had to build the Intelligence program from the ground up. My first supervisor was a good person, but at times, our professional relationship was uncomfortable for various reasons. A few months into the position, my supervisor suggested I get a mentor within the company’s official mentor program and, subsequently, chose a mentor for me.

It turned out the mentor was the VP of Human Resources. She had been with the company for 20+ years and had worked her way up from an administrative position to an executive. My mentor knew everyone in the company and was very knowledgeable about the business. She taught me the intricacies of the business, which helped me become more comfortable with my transition. She recommended several internal classes offered by the company in business acumen and human resources related issues. While I would not have ordinarily taken these courses, I was glad I did at her suggestion. I was able to learn about what drove the business and what was important to the C-suite. I learned a lot from my mentor and the classes she recommended.

However, due to the close relationship between my mentor and my supervisor I never felt comfortable having candid discussions with her. They often had lunch and had social interactions outside of work. Because of this, I did not feel I could not discuss all my professional issues, and this perhaps held me back from properly using our relationship to the fullest. Although your mentor should not be your professional counselor, they can be a great sounding board regarding corporate politics.

  learned from my mentor. The experience changed how I chose future mentors and how I mentor people now. The four key takeaways from my experience include:

1.      You should choose your mentor. Since I did not choose my mentor, at times it was uncomfortable. As a result, our mentorship suffered. If you get into a mentorship situation, and you do not trust your mentor or mentee, end the relationship quickly and professionally. 

2.     Your mentor does not have to be in a similar profession or level. My mentor was in HR, not security or intelligence. She was also several professional levels up from my position; I was a manager, and she was a VP. I learned quite a bit about the company which ultimately increased my professionalism and business acumen. 

3.     Think about what type of mentor relationship you would like to have. At the time, I did not actively plan what I wanted to get out of the relationship. In the future experiences, I have put more time and thought into my career goals and either look for a mentor who followed a similarly successful career path, or sought someone with a skill set I want to learn. 

4.     Understand your mentor relationship and when there is a natural end. Some mentoring relationships go for years and end up as lifelong colleagues or friends. While friendships are an excellent thing, you should go into a mentoring program (especially an official one) with an understanding of the lifecycle and when the ‘professional’ relationship should be closing.

Ultimately, your mentor relationship should be with someone you respect and trust. With a bit of foresight and planning, you can have a very successful experience in which both people feel their time is beneficial to personal and professional growth. 

Building Resilience in Risk Intelligence 

Intelligence, when done well, should be a valued function that organizations think twice about before cutting head count – especially in a downturn.  This is demonstrated clearly in companies where risk intelligence has become a vital function that grows in spite of downsizing.  But it can go the other way too: functions that fail to demonstrate their strategic relevance are often the first to go (although they can also go for myriad unrelated reasons over which personnel may have no control at all). More than established professional functions with clear missions, risk intelligence professionals still need to consistently demonstrate their mission, value, and why they are a need-to-have, rather than a nice-to-have function. 
 
Here are a few thoughts on how to increase the resilience of your risk intelligence team (even if you are a team of one):
 
Be VERY smart on your business. 
 
Your team needs to know the business they are working in and align with its needs and priorities.  For example, risk intelligence professionals in a heavy commodities trading company need to take the necessary time to understand what that entails and how it affects the company’s risk profile.  If you work for a technology company with 20 different lines of business, over time, the team needs to understand each of those lines of business.  By not doing so, the team risks becoming seen as something that can be outsourced in a downturn.  After all, why pay for an in-house intelligence team if a contractor can provide roughly the same general analysis that doesn’t account for the specificity of the business? 
 
Be smart on what businesses are talking about.
 
In his annual letter to shareholders, Warren Buffet warned of the instability that a successful attack on the U.S. economy could have. He continues on to discuss the inability “for investors and corporations to shed this risk”. 
 
“There is, however, one clear, present and enduring danger to Berkshire against which Charlie and I are powerless. That threat to Berkshire is also the major threat our citizenry faces: a “successful” (as defined by the aggressor) cyber, biological, nuclear or chemical attack on the United States. That is a risk Berkshire shares with all of American business. ... Subsequently, we’ve had a few close calls but avoided catastrophic destruction. We can thank our government – and luck! – for this result.”
 
Analysts can highlight thought leadership of individuals like Warren Buffett in program justification, strategy development and analytical thought. Including references to relevant business leaders shows that you understand your business, its peers and competitors, and the current economy, bringing additional credibility to your work as a business advisor. To use Mr. Buffett’s words: businesses can never fully “shed the risk” of catastrophic events, but as a risk intelligence advisor with business credibility, risk intelligence becomes a key partner in understanding the breadth of risks, planning for strategies for mitigating loss and taking advantage of opportunities afforded by a rapidly changing global business environment. 
 
Take time to build a strategy.
 
Risk intelligence functions are often one-person teams with competing fires to address daily. Prolonged work like this for years, constantly reporting threats and bad news, can feel like progress and added value. Especially for those who like a very fast paced environment, this constant crisis mode activity seems like “what we should be doing.” In reality, colleagues may be wondering what it is we do all day. Many executives especially are well read, with tight leadership across their regions and businesses. They likely know the issue and business impact before an analyst can. Thus, no matter how many fires we put out, we need to do the deep thinking and deep work to add strategic value to our business.  That requires a strategy of your own.  What is the unique perspective and value add that your team brings to the business? How do you leverage that value?  How do you build in time for strategic work? How do you present analysis in a manner that is engaging and drives innovation (especially when we’re used to telling the bad news stories)? Warning executives about travel risks is important, but can easily be outsourced.  Demonstrating the strategic impact of long-term geopolitical issues and highlighting opportunities based on your unique knowledge of the company footprint overlaid with your risk intelligence subject matter expertise cannot be so easily replaced.
 
Drop the jargon.
 
Risk intelligence professionals, like most professionals, tend to have a certain vernacular that we use with our colleagues.  Often it is a combination of words utilized during our government service days, and words we’ve picked up from colleagues who do the same.  Within circles of like-minded professionals, this is fine.  In our writing and communication with our business partners, it is not.  To communicate in this manner risks looking like an outsider in your own company, and/or alienating people with scary sounding communications.  Think about ways to eliminate or greatly reduce the use of words like threat, violence, and other highly negative words in your writing and speech (you can still convey risk without overuse of these types of words).  Study other modes of communication to find a style that will work within your business. Evaluate your writing for too many phrases and hyperbolic words that imply alarmism.  All of these things increase the perception of risk intelligence as a barrier to business, instead of being a vital part of business growth (which it is!).
 
Build the profession.
 
Because it is still a young profession, there is still so much room for creativity and new approaches to our field.  It is also still in a nascent phase of development that requires more standards and structure to truly professionalize it.  Consider taking a committee or supporting role in helping to better develop the profession through organizations like the Association for International Risk and Intelligence Professionals (AIRIP), the Analyst Roundtables, or other organizations working to promote and professionalize the risk intelligence profession.  Write an article for LinkedIn or a professional risk management publication.  The more we build the field and create professional standards around what it means to be a risk intelligence professional, the better business will be able to understand the true power of our profession to build business resilience. 
 
Take a few steps back.
 
As hard as it can be to set aside the immediate; in order to do our jobs well, we sometimes need to take a few steps back and think about whether we are doing the job to the best of our ability.  Are we so busy answering the mail that we are leaving much of our talent and potential value add on the table?  Next time you have a breather, sit down and start working on that strategy.  Set aside two hours on your calendar every week to focus just on this – no emails, no phone calls, no scanning the news. What are your goals for strategic work?  Do they align with your company’s strategic priorities? How can you position your function to assist with this type of work?  How can you show thought leadership within your role?  Build bridges with your internal business partners, build knowledge of their roles, build a strategy for success and you will build resilience for your intelligence function and for your business.
 
    

We are excited to announce that we have redesigned and enhanced the usability of the AIRIP website for our members.

Log in and update your profile

Our new website offers new functionality, including your own member portal. Once you log in, you may review your profile.

You can control the privacy for all your data with AIRIP. We set a default, so log into your profile and select what is private or shared with members-only in the AIRIP Member Directory. Simply click on the "lock” icon to the left of each data field and select the proper level of privacy.

There are a number of new features that will allow you to network with your fellow members.

The new website offers more social networking features to foster collaboration within our community. Key features include a new, more customizable member profile, the ability to set up your own personal blog, online chat/instant messaging, favorites, group pages, file libraries and more.

We have created a Website How To page with helpful information for your reference to get you started.

We look forward to your feedback and engagement in our new website.

If you have any questions or comments, please email rachel@airip.org or call the AIRIP office at 612-405-6566.

Thank you for your continued support in AIRIP!

Sincerely,
Rachel Bode
CEO of AIRIP

AIRIP is proud to share our first two organization sponsors! A big THANK YOU to Emergent Risk International and Microsoft Global Security! Through their financial support we are able to do great things – like hold an inaugural event, and dream big with regards to member benefits.

Are you interested in becoming a corporate or vendor sponsor? We operate on an annual sponsorship plan. Sponsors from vendors or member organizations are rewarded with marketing, access to our members, and free tickets to in-person and online events.

Some sponsor benefits are listed below. A full list of sponsor benefits based on support level is available via e-mail. Use the contact form on our web site to reach out to inquire for more information or to sign on as a member!

Example Sponsor Benefits:

• Company Name and Logo featured on our website and event materials
• Free tickets to events
• Free member dues, depending on sponsorship level
• Listing in our vendor directory (future benefit)
• Reduced rates for job postings (future benefit)

We would love to talk to you soon about AIRIP sponsorship!

Ethics in intelligence is not usually a thought that gets a lot of serious attention, and intelligence tends to have a bad reputation on this topic. Events even in the news during the past few weeks show that governments and other organizations will go to extreme measures to gather intelligence if the conditions allow, and if the value of the intelligence is perceived great enough.

That said, often organizations, including governments, can gather extremely valuable information via ethical, responsible and open means. Growth in the Open Source intelligence collection capabilities and staff within the United States Intelligence Community, and numerous intelligence successes attributed to open source collection, show that the covert and clandestine methods of spy lore are no longer the only way to gather valuable info.

In addition, the scrutiny that the public places on organizations – governments, non-profits, and for-profit entities alike – can be a deterrent to some types of collection that may have been considered status quo in the past. Companies that employ intelligence analysts (and our ranks are growing) should be concerned with the sources and methods used by their analysts. A bad choice by an analyst or intelligence manager can have serious negative consequences on an organization’s reputation, stock price, and safety of personnel.

AIRIP was founded on the principle that there can be ethics in intelligence collection, and that there should be a standard for organizations to use as they develop and mature intelligence programs.

Without a professional standard, analysts could be asked to do unethical things in the name of collection, and the actions of intelligence professionals could seriously harm the reputation of the organizations where they work. Analysts need a professional standard to point to when unscrupulous colleagues ask for information to be collected in ways that could harmful to themselves, their colleagues or their organization. Analysts also need a guide on how to protect themselves when collecting information in the open source world.

For these reasons, AIRIP is proud to introduce the Risk Intelligence Code of Conduct. This was presented to members on October 28, 2015 via webinar with two experts in the field speaking in support of the code of conduct. The webinar was attended by over half of AIRIP’s current membership, and polls at the beginning and end of the webinar showed overwhelming support for the Code of Conduct as written.

We hope that members and non-members will use this Code of Conduct to discuss and enact ethical intelligence collection within their organizations, and form a basis for their own Codes of Conduct.

This post is a guest post by AIRIP Board Member Meredith Wilson. Meredith is Founder and Principal at Emergent Risk International. The post can also be found on her website. 

An intelligence-led approach in business, government, and non-government organizations will almost always yield better outcomes than reactive strategies.   In simple logic: better research yields better outcomes. High quality intelligence research and analysis, however, is not as simple as that. And as such, building a professional intelligence capability is also not as simple. Here are some (of many) reasons why:

More information does not equal better information

We have more data at our fingertips than at any time in human history. However, this does not mean we always use it properly.   More than ever we can become a victim of our own bias and that of the people reporting and publishing information. That’s not just special interests groups or politically slanted publications we are talking about.  There are so many angles and reasons (not all of them nefarious) for people, organizations, governments, and businesses to publish information which is slanted in one direction or another that the ability to apply true investigative research, analysis, and critical thinking skills is imperative if we are to utilize all this data to make effective decisions.

Intelligence is only as good as the question asked and the questions we need to ask to answer that question

Intelligence professionals are trained to ask more questions.  Starting with the question that is being asked in the first place.  For example, when a business leader comes to them and asks: “How will ISIS impact the security of our operations in the Middle East?”  Is that even the right question to start with?

Perhaps the question is actually: “Will ISIS impact our operations in the Middle East (or perhaps we should narrow this to a more specific geographical area!)?  If so, how?”  After all, ISIS is but one of myriad players in the Middle East and the impact of their presence on the region goes well beyond security.  Or perhaps in this case, the company isn’t impacted at all by ISIS but is strongly impacted by organized criminals working in other parts of the region.  There are infinite other ways to ask the question (which could be the subject of its own blog post), but the point is, a good intelligence professional will first work to find the best question to yield higher quality information and analysis for better decision-making.

Intelligence professionals also ask questions of their sources: “Is this the whole story?” “What is their source of information?” “Could their source have a particular reason/angle for reporting this information in this manner?” “Is there an important key piece of information/ context missing from this story?” (And there always is.) These types of questions and others must be asked before forming an analytical judgment. Additionally, it’s imperative to seek out sources with opposing points of view. Intelligence professionals are trained to look for secondary and tertiary sources to verify information and  seek out expertise and human sources on the ground that can provide additional context.   Additionally, while being aware of reporting on major media outlets, intelligence leaders understand that these reports alone do not provide the context needed to provide an accurate judgment. More questions must be asked – and they need to be asked of sources with more context than your average AP stringer or cable news commentator.

Trained intelligence professionals are not uncomfortable with having their analytical judgments challenged

A good intelligence analyst understands that their judgment is not infallible no matter how well they know the subject matter.   They know that it is not uncommon for a young analyst – new to the field – to make a more accurate judgment than one who has spent years on the subject. This is because deep experience comes with its own biases. Intelligence professionals drive good decision making by providing analytical judgments that have been “stress tested.” That is, they’ve allowed other people to poke holes in their arguments, ask questions, and play devil’s advocate. When faced with a weak bottom-line judgment, intelligence professionals consider opposing views and adjust their analysis accordingly. To not do so puts their customer – the decision maker – at risk of poor decision-making based on faulty or incomplete information.

Trained intelligence professionals understand that we don’t know as much as we think we do and analysis without context is dangerous…

The information age and the speed of information has led us to believe we know more than we do. It has led us to believe we understand root causes of problems in other countries, and that we have a handle on how these cultures operate. The truth is, most of us don’t and we can’t unless we have walked the ground, smelled the smells, and experienced life in these places. This does not mean we cannot provide good analysis, but it does mean we need to work extra hard to seek out proper sources and context before providing our insights. Local media sources, primary language sources, multiple individuals on the ground, historical information, motives and methods of political actors, and information on cultural and social norms are just some of the inputs we require. We cannot overlay our own assumptions – about the world, about religion, about politics, about survival – on other cultures and come away with a solid analytical judgment. When we do this, what we come away with is flawed analysis that will encourage flawed decision-making.

High quality intelligence requires resisting pressure to provide intelligence and analysis that conforms to the decision maker’s worldview

… and decision-makers who know better…

Recent history has provided a few examples of policy makers who’ve pressured intelligence officials to provide intelligence analysis that conformed to their political or policy goals. While there is more to these stories than meets the eye – from sourcing failures to policy failures – this is an easy trap to fall into. In many organizations (business especially) decision makers have authority over the presence of an intelligence function within their organization. Thus, a professional intelligence function requires analysts with strong confidence in their capabilities and the ability to guard their analysis against the wrong kind of influence.  Just as importantly, it requires ethical decision-makers who understand the power and proper use of a professional intelligence function.

Meredith Wilson is the Founder of Emergent Risk International, a Dallas based risk intelligence and advisory firm specializing in strategy consulting, bespoke analysis, and training to address geopolitical opportunity and risk for multi-national companies and multi-lateral organizations. She is also an AIRIP Board Member.

Thank you for the overwhelming response to the AIRIP launch! We have had such a great time this week chatting with you by phone and e-mail about the many possibilities and promise for this organization. Many of you have signed up as members, and others have committed you and your teams to joining. It’s such a confirmation of the need for this organization and this work, and we are excited to get it started with you!

The great response to the organization means that we can move forward right away on finalizing the scope for the next phase of our website, which will include a members-only portal. Many of you have asked for things like a member directory, a discussion forum, and a library of program documents. It’s coming! We are excited to be able to move forward on these things.

We are also excited to meet each and every one of you – members and prospective members alike – at our Inaugural Event on November 17 in Washington D.C. Don’t forget to register and get your tickets soon! There will be breakfast, networking, and a great line-up of speakers. Tickets are free for those who become members by September 30, 2015.

Thank you again for the great welcome! We are so excited to take this step in formalizing the work of the risk intelligence profession.

Hello! I’m so excited to share the beginnings of a brand new professional association with you. This has been a dream of mine for over five years, and an unexpected job circumstance left me with some time on my hands this spring to finally take this on. After a lot of research, conversations and thought, I’m really proud to introduce you to the Association of International Risk Intelligence Professionals (AIRIP).

After working in the U.S. federal government intelligence community, and then in the private sector in corporate security departments for two major global corporations, it was clear that there wasn’t a lot of support for intelligence analysts. It’s a lonely field sometimes – just an analyst and his or her sources – and without a strong personal network, the job can be overwhelming and potentially ineffective.

My peers in other corporate security, reputation management, and corporate strategy functions had all sorts of training, certifications, associations and association chapters for their respective fields. I knew there was tremendous work being done within the intelligence community and the private sector. However, due to the sensitive nature of the intelligence profession, the great work they were doing often went unacknowledged. I was aware that some of these risk intelligence professionals had created informal communities to support one another’s work, but the professional development, training, and career path were informal and murky.

The AIRIP Board and I think the time is right for a professional association to elevate Risk Intelligence as a formal career path for the professionals already in the field and the students that aspire to this field of work.

Our mission is to provide a professional association for risk intelligence analysts, with broad goals as follows:

• to support and conduct training for risk intelligence professionals;
• to support educational and informational activities — including conferences,webinars and a certification program — for the profession;
• to provide mentoring and networking opportunities and connections;
• to establish and uphold an ethics standard for the community;
• to promote the common business interest of the risk intelligence community; and
• to provide a forum for publication and discourse by thought leaders in the field.

Over the next few weeks and months, we hope to more formally launch AIRIP with an e-mail and web marketing campaign, outline plans for a fall conference in Washington D.C., publish our ethics standard for the risk intelligence community, introduce you to our leadership team, and start a published dialogue on this blog from experts in intelligence supporting various areas of organizational risk. You’ll also hear more in-depth about our goals outlined above, and hear first about our progress. We also, above all, aim to create awareness of the ability of risk intelligence analysts to facilitate and drive Intelligence leddecisions in business and organizational operations and policy. As time goes on, more and more of our content and benefits will be available only to members.

All this is done with the aim to professionalize careers in risk intelligence and elevate the work that you do in a way that will allow you to move forward and grow in your careers.

Please consider joining and/or donating to AIRIP! As an early member, you’ll be in on the ground floor. Your membership fee in 2015 will go toward initial growth and building our infrastructure. Membership benefits will roll out throughout 2015 and 2016.

I am really looking forward to leading this organization along with our board! Please do not hesitate to reach out via our contact form with ideas and feedback.

–Rachel Bode | AIRIP CEO