From Collections Manager in the FBI to Teaching Analytic Tradecraft: Analytic Skills versus Cyber Skills - Interview with Elizabeth Dos Santos (S1E7)

Summary

In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Dos Santos shares her journey from a 25-year career in the FBI, focusing on intelligence analysis and counter-terrorism, to the private sector, teaching intelligence.

She discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of communication skills, and her transition to the private sector. Elizabeth emphasizes the role of AI in intelligence, the need for critical thinking, and the significance of structured analytic techniques in training.

She also provides valuable advice for aspiring intelligence analysts, highlighting the importance of writing and presentation skills.

Takeaways

• Elizabeth Dos Santos has a rich background in intelligence, having worked for the FBI for nearly 25 years.
• Her journey into intelligence began through a suggestion from her father.
• She emphasizes the importance of communication skills in intelligence analysis.
• Elizabeth shares her transition from government to private sector work and the cultural differences.
• She highlights the importance of structured analytic techniques in training and analysis is emphasized.
• Elizabeth advises aspiring analysts to focus on writing and presentation skills.
• The conversation touches on the need for transparency in AI and the importance of critical thinking.
• AI presents both opportunities and challenges in the field of intelligence.

Resources and references mentioned

• The Psychology of Intelligence Book - https://www.cia.gov/resources/csi/books-monographs/psychology-of-intelligence-analysis-2/
• The Six Thinking Hats Book - https://www.amazon.com/Six-Thinking-Hats-Edward-Bono/dp/0241257530
• Pherson Associates - https://pherson.org/
• ICD 203 - https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICD/ICD-203.pdf
• SANS FOR578 CTI - https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-courses/cyber-threat-intelligence
• Is all Intelligence Forward Looking blog post - https://inteltradecraft.com/is-all-intelligence-forward-looking
• The Thinking, Fast & Slow Book - https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374275637
• Training with Intelligence Tradecraft - https://inteltradecraft.com/sat-certifications
• IAFIE - https://www.iafie.org/
• The Structured Analytic Techniques (SAT) Book - https://www.amazon.com/Structured-Analytic-Techniques-Intelligence-Analysis/dp/150636893X
• The SAT Handbook book - https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Analytic-Tools-Techniques-5th/dp/0979888093/
• Admiralty Scale SANS Blog - https://www.sans.org/blog/enhance-your-cyber-threat-intelligence-with-the-admiralty-system/
• SANS FOR589 Cybercrime course - https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-courses/cybercrime-intelligence/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Elizabeth Dos Santos

01:51 Journey into Intelligence

08:44 Career Development in the FBI

12:40 Challenges and Growth in Intelligence

19:39 Transitioning to the Private Sector

27:52 The Role of AI in Intelligence

53:23 Advice for Aspiring Intelligence Analysts

01:07:29 The Importance of Communication in Intelligence

01:14:19 Structured Analytic Techniques and IAP

01:18:19 Conclusion and Reflections on Intelligence

This conversation is a compressed edit of an interview Freddy has conducted as part of his PhD research. The interview happened on May 13th, 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark.