Intelligence Tradecraft - Sharpen your analytic edge

Freddy Murre
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Join us on “Intelligence Tradecraft”, where we explore the adoption of intelligence tradecraft in the private sector. Hosted by an intelligence and cyber threat intelligence professional, each episode features interviews with top researchers, authors, and practitioners offering practical insights for experts and beginners alike. Whether you’re a seasoned intelligence analyst or just starting your journey, this videocast provides the tools, techniques, and inspiration to elevate your craft and sharpen your analytic advantage. Join our community and master intelligence tradecraft.

  1. 4d ago

    Lessons from a Former US Navy Collector - Joe Slowik on intelligence tradecraft and AI in CTI (S02E06)

    In this episode of Intelligence Tradecraft, host Freddy Murre sits down with Joe Slowik, a threat intelligence veteran whose career spans the US Navy, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MITRE, and the vendor world (Dragos, DomainTools, Gigamon, Huntress, and now DataMinr). In the conversation, Joe makes the case that intelligence is fundamentally about decision support, not raw data feeds or research written for other analysts. He and Freddy dig into what separates good reporting from bad, why stakeholder alignment and rigor (ICD 203, clear separation of fact vs. assessment) matter, and when a "flash report" beats a polished deep-dive. They also tackle the attribution debate — how-centric vs. who-centric attribution, the mess of overlapping naming schemas (APT10 vs. APT31, the Visma case), and why "trust us, we're Microsoft" isn't tradecraft. Joe explains the thinking behind his Applied Threat Intelligence training and the gap it was built to fill. The back half turns to AI: where LLMs genuinely help (research, scripting), where they're dangerous (cognitive offloading, model decay, drying up the junior-to-senior pipeline), who's accountable for AI-generated output, and how threat actors are using these tools, from better phishing to voice cloning. Joe's bottom line for newcomers: critical thinking, communication, and curiosity come before any prompt-engineering skill. Resources Joe Slowik's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-slowik/ Joe Slowik's Blog and Courses - https://paralus.co/ Freddy' Structured Analytic Techniques (SAT) Training - https://inteltradecraft.com/sat-certifications Los Alamos National Laboratory - https://www.lanl.gov/ NIST Cyber Threat Intelligence definition - https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/cyber_threat_intelligence CTI used in books (Google Search) - https://books.google.com APT 1 Report - https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/mandiant-apt1-report.pdf Moonligh Maze on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonlight_Maze SANS FOR578 CTI - https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-courses/cyber-threat-intelligence ICD 203 - https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICD/ICD-203.pdf MLitt in Terrorism and Political Violence - https://cstpv.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/masters-in-terrorism-and-political-violence/ Routledge Handbook of Terrorism Research - https://www.routledge.com/The-Routledge-Handbook-of-Terrorism-Research/Schmid/p/book/9780415520997 APT Groups and Operations Rosetta Stone (not mine) - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1H9_xaxQHpWaa4O_Son4Gx0YOIzlcBWMsdvePFX68EKU/edit?pli=1&gid=1864660085#gid=1864660085 Structured Analytic Techniques (SAT) Training - https://inteltradecraft.com/sat-certifications Tradecraft Primer: SATs - https://www.cia.gov/resources/csi/static/Tradecraft-Primer-apr09.pdf An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments - https://bookofbadarguments.com/ Weston's Rulebook for Arguments - https://hackettpublishing.com/philosophy/logic-mathematics/critical-thinking/a-rulebook-for-arguments-group Joe's Critique of Practical Threat Intelligence - https://pylos.co/2026/05/03/a-brief-critique-of-practical-threat-intelligence/ Cognitive Offloading - https://sistemasi.ftik.unisi.ac.id/index.php/stmsi/article/view/6180 OpenAI Research - https://openai.com/research/index/ Chapters 00:00 Intro and Joe's career path 06:11 The Evolution of Cyber Threat Intelligence and intelligence 15:05 Rigor, reporting, & attribution 29:50 The Relevance of Intelligence in Incident Response and CTI 47:09 Building & measuring a CTI function 01:00:13 Training teams (and why it doesn't stick) 01:07:37 Integrating LLMs in Intelligence Work 01:19:50 Skills for the Future of CTI

    1h 31m

  2. Apr 22

    From US Army Intelligence to Private Sector Intelligence Advisor - Interview with Jeremy Levin (S02E05)

    In this interview, Jeremy Levin shares his journey into US Army intelligence and subsequent move into private sector intelligence. Jeremy has extensive experience in intelligence analysis, training, and management, emphasizing the importance of adaptable skills, continuous learning, and effective team utilization in the field. Jeremy Levin accidentally entered military intelligence in the mid-90s by joining the U.S. Army intelligence. He served nearly 30 years in various government intelligence roles and as a contractor. After moving into the private sector he founded Questimation (“Better decisions discovered”) to teach thinking, analytic methods, and explore more objective calibration of qualitative probabilities. This in-depth interview explores the challenges and opportunities in intelligence analysis, focusing on metrics, training, AI integration, and the mindset needed for future success. Discover how to measure impact, foster analyst development, and adapt to technological advances. Resources and references mentioned Questimation - https://www.questimation.com/ Julia Galef - The Scout Mindset - https://www.amazon.com/Scout-Mindset-Perils-Defensive-Thinking/dp/0735217556 IARPA Reason Project for AI in Analysis - https://www.iarpa.gov/research-programs/reason US Intelligence Standards ICD 203 - https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICD/ICD-203.pdf UK Intelligence Standards - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phia-common-analytical-standards/phia-common-analytical-standards New Zealand Code of Ethics - https://nziip.org.nz/code-of-ethics/ Chapters 00:00 Meet Jeremy Levin 07:52 Contractor Life and 9/11 22:43 Going Independent and forming Questimation 30:30 What Counts as Intelligence 35:22 Analyst Tasks and Management 41:53 Value of Warning and Training 57:51 Metrics Drive Output 01:02:20 Measuring Intelligence Value 01:12:00 Defining Success Metrics 01:22:18 Analytic Standards Matter 01:25:48 AI and Tradecraft Future 01:48:10 Mentors and Closing This conversation is a compressed edit of an interview Freddy has conducted as part of his PhD research. The interview happened on July 2nd, 2025 in London, UK. #intelligenceagencies #intelligenceanalysis

    1h 51m

  3. Apr 8

    From UK Defense intelligence, Warning Intelligence, and IEDs, to Private Sector Intelligence - Interview with Will Woodall (S2E4)

    Summary Will Woodall shares his 14-year journey through intelligence roles in the UK government and transitioning to private sector intelligence. He explains motivations for leaving government (slow recruitment and limited recognition), contrasts public vs private sector work, and emphasizes core intelligence methodology: the yardstick/estimated probability language, source evaluation and confidence, structured analytical techniques, and clear writing and delivery tailored to customers. In the interview. Will and Freddy debate what distinguishes information from intelligence, how to measure intelligence program value through customer action and feedback, challenges like expert bias and stakeholder alignment, and how AI/LLMs can help with volume and practical tasks but require validation and human questioning. He advises aspiring analysts to pursue analytical subjects, develop domain expertise, and learn core intelligence components. Resources Extrac AI - https://www.extrac.ai/index.html SANS Admiralty Scale blog post 1 - https://www.sans.org/blog/enhance-your-cyber-threat-intelligence-with-the-admiralty-system SANS Admiralty Scale blog post 2 - https://www.sans.org/blog/admiralty-code-part-2-ticketmaster-data-breach-claims LinkedIn Post on what makes something intelligence - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fmurre_in-your-opinion-when-does-something-go-from-activity-7181221399561203712-mV-m King's College London, the Intelligence Studies Program - https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/courses/intelligence-and-international-security-ma/teaching Structured Analytic Techniques (SATs) Training - https://inteltradecraft.com/sat-certifications Analytic standards ICD203 - https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICD/ICD-203.pdf PHIA UK Analytic Standards - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phia-common-analytical-standards/phia-common-analytical-standards LinkedIn Freddy M - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmurre/ LLMs getting worse - https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article/12/4/241776/235656/Generalization-bias-in-large-language-model Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Intelligence and Personal Journey 07:15 Transitioning from Government to Private Sector 11:53 Understanding Intelligence Methodology and Standards 18:59 Defining Intelligence vs. Information 23:27 The Role of AI in Intelligence 31:02 Training and Methodologies in Intelligence 47:06 Challenges in Implementing Intelligence in the Private Sector 54:16 Measuring Success of Intelligence Programs 58:13 Challenges in Applying Intelligence in Organizations 01:02:06 Advice for Aspiring Intelligence Professionals 01:15:50 Influential People and Career Moments 01:17:28 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook This conversation is a compressed edit of an interview Freddy has conducted as part of his PhD research. The interview happened on July 2nd, 2025 in London, UK.

    1h 18m

  4. Mar 25

    From GCHQ to Building effective OSINT and Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) Functions - Interview with Aaron Roberts (S2E3)

    Summary In cybersecurity, understanding the intricacies of intelligence tradecraft can make all the difference. In this insightful interview, cybersecurity expert Aaron Roberts shares his journey from military intelligence to founding Perspective Intelligence. He discusses the evolution of cyber threat intelligence, practical training approaches, the impact of AI, and how to build a successful intelligence function. Aaron’s path into intelligence started with a fascination for intelligence and a local awareness of GCHQ, the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters. He candidly shares, "I always tell people this story and I don't think anyone believes me, but I used to watch a lot of 24." He recalls, "I was always interested in military history and intelligence services, which guided my career path." This foundational knowledge helped him navigate the complexities of cyber intelligence later on. After working at GCHQ, Aaron faced a significant decision: stay in public service or explore opportunities in the private sector. He explains, "I thought I was always going to be there for life," but personal circumstances and the evolving cybersecurity landscape prompted him to make a change. Aaron’s experiences provide valuable insights into cyber threat intelligence (CTI). He emphasizes the importance of adapting to new threats and technologies. "Cybersecurity is an ever-changing landscape, and staying ahead requires constant learning and adaptation," he advises. One key area Aaron focuses on is Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). He finds it fascinating how the internet can be utilized for intelligence investigations. "Using the internet for intelligence work is incredibly powerful," he states. This approach allows organizations to gather insights that are often overlooked in traditional intelligence methodologies. In 2021, Aaron published his book on cyber threat intelligence, a project that began during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown. He shares, "I decided to write a book because there wasn’t much available for non-analysts looking to understand threat intelligence better." The process was both challenging and rewarding, providing him with a platform to share his knowledge and experiences. Resource Perspective Intelligence - https://perspectiveintelligence.co.uk/ WannaCry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WannaCry_ransomware_attack KASE Scenarios OSINT Training Platform - https://kasescenarios.com/ KASE Scenarios PRoject SandShark - https://kasescenarios.com/project-sandshark Diamond Model - https://www.threatintel.academy/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/diamond_summary.pdf Intel architecture mindmap - https://github.com/Errum/IntelArchitectureMap The cyber threat intelligence book - https://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Threat-Intelligence-No-Nonsense-Security/dp/1484272196 TCM Security SOC 101 - https://academy.tcm-sec.com/p/security-operations-soc-101 Michael Koczwara's Hunting Adversary Infrastructure Training Course - https://academy.intel-ops.io/courses/hunting-adversary-infra Intel471 Cyber underground Handbook - https://www.intel471.com/cyber-underground-handbook Admiralty Scale blog post - https://www.sans.org/blog/enhance-your-cyber-threat-intelligence-with-the-admiralty-system/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Intelligence Careers 04:21 Transitioning from Government to Private Sector 12:23 Becoming a Published Author 20:37 The Importance of Context in Cyber Intelligence 28:08 Challenges in Open Source Intelligence 36:53 Defining Intelligence: What It Is and Isn't 44:47 Critical Thinking in Intelligence Analysis 51:52 Training and Certifications in Intelligence 59:14 Success Criteria for Intelligence Functions 01:05:07 The Future of Cyber Threat Intelligence 01:11:03 The Role of AI in Intelligence 01:18:18 Advice for Aspiring Intelligence Professionals PS! This conversation is a compressed edit of an interview Freddy has conducted as part of his PhD research. The interview happened on July 1st, 2025 in London, UK.

    1h 24m

  5. Feb 25

    From UK Police Intelligence to academia: Support versus specialist - Interview with Nadia Tuominen (S2E2)

    Summary Listen to Nadia Tuominen's path from crime science student to intelligence analyst in London’s Metropolitan Police, where she learned mostly on the job in a changing organization. She explains how austerity and lack of development pushed her to leave for sports integrity in tennis, then into the financial sector to work on economic crime. A later shift into academia and training lets her “close the circle” by teaching police officers and practitioners, creating qualifications she wishes had existed earlier. Across her journey, she emphasizes intelligence as a reasoning process, the importance of frameworks, elevating analysts from “support staff” to specialists, and helping people think better rather than just learn tools. Nadia emphasizes the need for analysts to be proactive, build relationships, and continuously develop their skills to adapt to the changing landscape of intelligence work. Key takeaways Intelligence is a reasoning process for decision-making, not magic or perfect prediction.Definitions of intelligence should fit each organization’s mission and context, rather than chasing one universal formula.Frameworks like the UK National Intelligence Model, though imperfect, become clearly valuable once you work in less-structured private-sector environments.Analysts should be treated as specialists, not generic “support staff,” to improve respect, pay, and decision quality.Training should focus on how analysts think (cognition, self-awareness, bias) as much as on tools and structured techniques.Biases are unavoidable and not inherently bad; the aim is to understand and manage them, not pretend they can be removed.Many law enforcement analysts lack formal, portable qualifications, so building accessible, practice-based education helps careers and professionalizes the field.Resources and references mentioned NIM https://library.college.police.uk/docs/npia/NIM-Code-of-Practice.pdfICD 203 https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICD/ICD-203.pdfIntelligence Architecture Mind Map - https://github.com/Errum/IntelArchitectureMapPsychology of intelligence Analysis - https://www.cia.gov/resources/csi/static/Pyschology-of-Intelligence-Analysis.pdfAnalyst & Decision-Maker Conference - https://i2group.com/events/analyst-decision-maker-conference-2026Chapters 02:59 Journey into Intelligence and Law Enforcement 05:56 Training and Development in Intelligence Analysis 09:12 Transitioning from Law Enforcement to Sports Integrity 12:07 Understanding Intelligence Frameworks 14:51 Exploring Financial Crime and Economic Crime 17:49 The Role of Academia in Intelligence Analysis 20:51 Training and Cognitive Function in Intelligence 23:59 Defining Intelligence: Perspectives and Processes 27:10 The Importance of Forward-Looking Intelligence 29:57 Analysts as Specialists, Not Support Staff 37:13 The Role of Analysts in Decision Making 38:25 Understanding AI and Its Implications 40:30 Critical Thinking in AI Usage 42:35 Explainability and Trust in AI 44:22 Evaluating AI vs Human Intelligence 46:24 The Importance of Input in AI 48:28Training and Experience in Intelligence Analysis 55:33 Measuring the Value of Intelligence 01:01:05 The Dialogue of Intelligence 01:04:17 The Future of AI in Intelligence 01:12:10 Preparing for a Career in Intelligence

    1h 18m

  6. Feb 25

    Lessons from a Former NCIS Analyst: Navigating Cyber Threats and board rooms - Interview with Teresa Walsh (S2E1)

    Summary Here, Teresa Walsh, a former NCIS analyst and current Chief Intelligence Officer (CINO), shares how intelligence tradecraft, critical thinking, and stakeholder-focused analysis must underpin cyber threat intelligence in an AI-saturated world, especially in heavily regulated sectors like finance. She discusses the importance of understanding the audience in intelligence work, the challenges of transitioning from government to private sector, and the evolving role of AI in the field. Teresa emphasizes the need for critical thinking, continuous training, and the significance of stakeholder engagement in delivering valuable intelligence. The conversation also touches on the future of intelligence, the impact of AI, and the importance of measuring success and value in intelligence work. Key takeaways Intelligence is a profession, not a personality traitRaw data is not intelligenceAudience and purpose drive valuePrivate-sector CTI lacks role and training standardsFinance is mature because it’s regulated, not smarterEffective CTI blends technical and strategic skillsAI and LLMs are tools, not replacementsBeware “AI solves everything” thinkingMetrics must go beyond countsCuriosity, humility, and feedback fuel growth Resources and references mentioned Structured Analytic Techniques (SAT) book - https://www.amazon.com/Structured-Analytic-Techniques-Intelligence-Analysis/dp/150636893XFeedly - https://feedly.com/IAP Training - https://inteltradecraft.com/sat-certificationsSANS Talk: The Way to a Stakeholder’s Heart is by Providing Value: Measuring Success of Your CTI Program - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5agsRg6-L4oMetrics by Gert-Jan - https://github.com/gertjanbruggink/metricsPsychology of Intelligence book - https://www.cia.gov/resources/csi/static/Pyschology-of-Intelligence-Analysis.pdf

    1h 33m

  7. 12/21/2025

    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.

    1h 32m

  8. 12/03/2025

    From Manual Googling to Sophisticated Insight: Government Lessons for the Private Sector - Interview with Terry Pattar (S1E6)

    Summary In this conversation, Terry shares his journey from government intelligence to the private sector, discussing the evolution of training and methodologies in intelligence analysis. He emphasizes the importance of structured analytical techniques and the challenges faced in adapting these methods in the private sector. The discussion also touches on the impact of geopolitics on cyber threats and the role of AI in intelligence work, highlighting the need for critical thinking and planning in the analysis process. Terry reflects on the differences between open source intelligence and open source information, and the importance of understanding biases in AI tools. Takeaways Terry is a senior director for customer success at Atreides.He has a mixed career in both government and private sectors.Training in intelligence has evolved significantly over the years.Open source intelligence became more prominent after 2008.Structured analytical techniques are crucial for effective analysis.Planning is essential before diving into information collection.The maturity of intelligence practices varies between sectors.Geopolitical events significantly influence cyber threats.AI tools can assist but come with their own challenges.Understanding biases in AI is critical for effective intelligence. Resources and references mentioned SATs training - https://inteltradecraft.com/sat-certifications SANS FOR578 CTI - https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-courses/cyber-threat-intelligence Structured Analytic Techniques (SAT) training - https://inteltradecraft.com/sat-certifications Arno exemplifies "spending time to save time" - https://opensourceintelligence.biz/vague-osint-questions/ ICD 203 - https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICD/ICD-203.pdf Intelligence agencies are starting to crowdsource information and recruits! For example, the MI6 platform, Silent Courier: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-dark-web-portal-launched-to-recruit-spies-to-support-uk-security Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Terry's Journey 02:54 Training and Development in Intelligence 05:52 Transitioning from Government to Private Sector 08:58 Challenges in Intelligence Analysis 11:50 The Role of Planning in Intelligence Work 14:51 The Maturity of Intelligence in the Private Sector 17:53 The Impact of Geopolitics on Cyber Intelligence 20:56 The Future of AI in Intelligence 23:43 Open Source Intelligence vs. Open Source Information 26:47 Advice and Reflections on Intelligence Work This conversation is a compressed edit of an interview Freddy has conducted as part of his PhD research. The interview happened on May 3rd, 2025 in London, England.

    1h 3m
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Join us on “Intelligence Tradecraft”, where we explore the adoption of intelligence tradecraft in the private sector. Hosted by an intelligence and cyber threat intelligence professional, each episode features interviews with top researchers, authors, and practitioners offering practical insights for experts and beginners alike. Whether you’re a seasoned intelligence analyst or just starting your journey, this videocast provides the tools, techniques, and inspiration to elevate your craft and sharpen your analytic advantage. Join our community and master intelligence tradecraft.

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