Next-Gen Intelligence: Empowering Future Professionals

Originally published on 12 August 2025

(In recognition of International Youth Day – 12 August)

International Youth Day celebrates the power of young people to shape a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. At IIP - Institute of Intelligence Professionalisation, we believe that future includes the intelligence profession, where new generations bring the insight, creativity, and courage needed to navigate today’s complex challenges.

The intelligence profession is evolving, and its future depends on how we support those just beginning their journey.

From AI and information warfare to climate risk and transnational crime, tomorrow’s challenges demand more than legacy approaches. They require fresh thinking, digital fluency, ethical courage, and practical capability.

So how do we empower them to succeed?

Start with Visibility

Many young people don’t realise intelligence is a field they can enter, especially outside national security or law enforcement. There’s a gap between what the profession needs and what early-career professionals can access or imagine.

That gap is widened by:

• Limited exposure to intelligence career paths in education
• Scarce access to mentors or sector-spanning networks
• Misconceptions that intelligence is closed, niche, or elite
• A lack of structured pathways into roles outside government

Create Accessible, Work-Ready Pathways

The next generation of intelligence professionals won’t come from a single background. They’ll emerge from journalism, cyber, economics, humanitarian work, environmental science, and more. What matters isn’t where they start, it’s whether they’re equipped with the tools to think critically, act ethically, and deliver insight that supports decisions.

That’s where training matters.

We need programs that:

• Teach intelligence as a discipline, not just a job
• Emphasise analytical tradecraft, critical thinking, and ethical risk awareness
• Offer hands-on, real-world scenarios to build work-ready capability
• Are standardised enough to ensure quality, but flexible enough to support diverse entry points

Professional, transferable training doesn’t just benefit new professionals; it builds trust across sectors, improves interoperability, and lifts the standard of intelligence practice overall.

Support Through Standards and Community

Professionalisation is not about exclusion, it’s about preparation and empowerment. Standardised training and clear professional expectations help early-career professionals navigate their growth with confidence. But technical skills alone aren’t enough; they need community.

Mentorship, peer networks, and ethical guidance are essential for:

• Building confidence and credibility
• Retaining diverse talent
• Fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning

IIP’s Commitment

At the Institute for Intelligence Professionalisation (IIP), we’re committed to supporting the next generation by:

• Providing accessible, high-quality training built around shared professional standards
• Supporting diverse pathways into intelligence work
• Building cross-sector communities of practice for early-career professionals
• Promoting inclusive, ethical leadership

We believe the future of intelligence belongs to those who are curious, collaborative, and committed to thinking clearly under pressure, regardless of where they come from.

Let’s Talk

• What helped you feel ready to begin your intelligence journey?
• How can we make intelligence training more inclusive and work-ready?
• What can experienced professionals do to support the next generation?

We’d love to hear your thoughts.