Hot Careers in Global Security and Intelligence

Embry-Riddle Answers the Call for Homeland Defense

The world is becoming a very dangerous place. Recent events have made security a serious concern for everyone, and aviation is no exception. While most people associate aviation security with the ever-present airport screening stations, much more is being done out of sight to make air travel secure.

For example, in many regions of the world, corporate executives are a valuable commodity. The kidnapping of a top-level executive from a prominent corporation can yield a hefty ransom for the abductors. For this reason, business aviation is relying increasingly on aviation security professionals to secure aircraft and their valuable payloads.

Preparation for Vital Security and Intelligence Jobs

Before September 11, 2001, Embry-Riddle was already a step ahead in its focus on security issues. Since 1997, the university has been giving students on the Prescott, Ariz., campus a comprehensive degree program designed for the fast-paced, vital world of security and intelligence.

The degree, a bachelor of science in global security and intelligence studies, prepares students to work in military and federal intelligence, corporate intelligence, law enforcement, and legislative work, analyzing security issues and drafting bills. Graduates may also choose pre-law studies and eventual specialization in security and intelligence law.

“This program is unique because of its aviation-specific concentration. But while the core focus is on aviation security and intelligence, the program study stretches well beyond that,” says Richard Bloom, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Prescott and one of the creators of the program. He joined the university following a 20-year military career specializing in clinical psychology, intelligence, special operations planning, and crisis-response management.

Bloom says Embry-Riddle's program is geared toward developing well-rounded students with the skills needed to succeed in the intelligence and security fields. Graduates walk away with the ability to work in areas such as intelligence analysis, data collection, covert operations, and counterintelligence. “We want to develop good analytical thinkers,” he explains.

To help prepare students for the workforce, the university has internship programs and cooperative relationships with several government agencies and private corporations. These include Embry-Riddle's ROTC program and a cooperative program with the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, which uses mapping products to develop intelligence analyses.

Moving into the Workforce

Despite the program's focus on aviation, its graduates have access to many different career opportunities in security and intelligence. “The threat of terrorism affects the spectrum of corporate America,” says Phillip Jones, director of the global security and intelligence studies degree program. Before joining Embry-Riddle as associate professor of arts and sciences, Jones was a consultant and CIA analyst specializing in religious militancy, terrorism, corporate security, intelligence, Islam, and South Asia.

Embry-Riddle graduates are well represented in the security and intelligence field, performing a wide variety of jobs in the government and the private sector.

Corporate Security Officers handle a company's security concerns, such as the securing of property, corporate espionage, employee background checks, information technology, and protection during travel.
Diplomatic Security Officers protect U.S. diplomats and dignitaries from threats.
Foreign Affairs Officers serve a vital liaison function between the State Department and American embassies and consulates around the world. Secretary of State Colin Powell called these professionals “the core of the foreign relations effort” and stressed the need to hire many more personnel.
Homeland Security Product Officers develop and promote technology that serves homeland security needs.
Intelligence Officers work in three areas. Analysts examine gathered intelligence information and assess its authenticity and relevance to national security. Counterintelligence specialists gather information about other governments and work to prevent these entities from gathering intelligence about their own organization. Covert action operatives pursue a wide range of missions such as gathering intelligence and training foreign forces.
International Law Enforcement Officers deal with international crimes and terrorist threats. Agents may work for the FBI, Interpol, and state and local law enforcement agencies.
Military Officers , many of whom were in Embry-Riddle's ROTC program, work in combat units and in intelligence work.
Risk Managers review information from threat analysts and develop a plan to deal with the situation and implement programs to monitor and guard against threats.
Threat Analysts search out and assess information that could indicate where a threat might originate.

Looking Ahead

The career opportunities in the security and intelligence field are many and growing. In the face of a new threat, government agencies, corporations, and even small businesses are learning that security is now a primary concern. For this reason, Embry-Riddle continues to offer a wealth of valuable coursework through its new degree in global security and intelligence studies. As the global threat develops, the university constantly analyzes the industry's staffing and technical needs. Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism is expected to loom for the foreseeable future.

SECURITY/INTELLIGENCE SPECIALISTS:

In Their Own Words

Two Embry-Riddle alumni who work in security and intelligence offered The Leader magazine their insights on this fascinating career field.

Johnny Jones, a civilian security specialist with the U.S. Air Force at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., is responsible for providing guidance to base units and ensuring they protect classified and sensitive national security information and material.

Jones, a 1991 graduate of Embry-Riddle, said staying abreast of all the threats to individuals, resources, and national security from terrorism, computer hacking, espionage, and other sources is a big challenge. “Security awareness, constant vigilance, and cooperation among private, state, and federal entities are necessary to counter and mitigate these threats,” he said.

Jones said his work is demanding of his time and family. “Mobility is a requirement for the internship and to advance in professional fields with the federal government,” he said. “But it gives me great satisfaction to play a part in our national security.”

Lt. Col. Robert Barone is a military intelligence officer with the U.S. Air Force Homeland Defense Division. After graduating from Embry-Riddle and receiving his Air Force commission in 1984, Barone became an air surveillance officer. He reviews incoming security and homeland defense-related information related to domestic air surveillance. His job includes working with the FAA to track all aircraft in the United States. He analyses the data for consistency with Air Force policy, guidance, and operational plans and then forwards it to other units.

Like Jones, Barone explained that intelligence work requires a great deal of versatility and flexibility. “Coordinating with different elements in the Department of Defense and federal government is also a challenge,” he said. The best part of his job, he said, is his interaction with the team of specialists he works with.

THE EMBRY-RIDDLE DEGREE:

Degree Develops Global Security and Intelligence Specialists

Embry-Riddle designed its bachelor's degree in global security and intelligence studies (GSIS) to produce a new generation of security and intelligence professionals.

The program, offered at the Prescott, Ariz., campus, explores global interrelationships in areas such as politics, economics, society, science and technology, military developments, public health, and the environment.

Students learn to solve problems and think critically on issues such as terrorism and asymmetrical warfare, transportation security, and threats to corporations, computer systems, and telecommunications. Other issues include illegal trafficking networks, prohibited weapons, international crime, population migrations, natural disasters, pandemics, and homeland security.

The GSIS program has eight components:

General education courses covering math, the social sciences, computers, and communication
Science and technology courses
A core of global studies courses on the role of societies, cultures, economies, systems of thought, military developments, and environmental concerns in shaping the world
Advanced security and intelligence courses
Elective courses
Proficiency in a non-English language, demonstrated by oral and reading competency or 12 credits of college-level foreign language courses
A senior thesis involving research and recommendations on a topic relevant to security and intelligence
Optional co-op internship

The GSIS program also encourages students to gain international experience through travel or study abroad.

For information: www.erau.edu/pr/degrees/b-gsis.html , or call Admissions at 800.888-3728.

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