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Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence Careers with an MS in Cybersecurity

 |  5 Min Read

You’re wise to wonder if it’s a good time to work in cybersecurity and threat intelligence services. With analyst-level positions earning an average median annual salary of $124,910 and 59,100 forecasted job openings over the next 10 years,1 the answer is clear: Whether you’re already in cybersecurity or switching fields, it’s the perfect time to advance your threat intelligence career goals.

When you’re ready to become a leading expert in cybersecurity threat intelligence, you’ll need to earn an MS in Cybersecurity from an esteemed school like Middlebury Institute of International Studies and learn the advanced skills required to detect threats.

But, before that, it’s important to understand what you’re getting into. Read on to discover the ins and outs of the increasingly important cybersecurity industry and find the perfect threat intelligence career for you.

What Is Threat Intelligence?

Cyber threat intelligence, or CTI, is the process of gathering, analyzing, and using information about digital threats (like hackers or malware) to protect organizations’ systems, networks, and data. As AI agents become more accessible and cyberattacks continue to increase, threat intelligence will become a cornerstone of every nonprofit, for-profit, and government organization.

While threat intelligence and its related subfields (threat analysis, collection management, domain analysis, targeting analysis, etc.) are nuanced, there are four key components to the field:

  1. Collecting raw data from various sources:
    • Malware reports
    • Dark web forums
    • Security logs
    • Open-source feeds
    • Government and industry alerts
  2. Analyzing the data for actionable insights by asking questions:
    • How did we detect the threat?
    • Who is behind the threat?
    • What tactics are they using?
    • How can we resolve the threat right now?
    • How can we ensure that the threat doesn’t happen again?
  3. Share your insights with strategic audiences and decision-makers:
    • Security teams
    • Incident response experts
    • Executives
  4. Take preventative actions:
    • Update firewalls, IDS, and antivirus rules
    • Patch vulnerabilities
    • Hunt for threats in the network
    • Improve incident response procedure

Threat Intelligence Careers

Equipped with an Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree from Middlebury Institute, you would be prepared to pursue one or more of the following cybersecurity jobs.

  • Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst2
    • Annual Salary Range: $120,000 – $200,000*
    • Average Annual Salary: $145,000*
    • As a cyber threat intelligence analyst, you would use expert knowledge of malicious cybercrime to mitigate and defend against digital threats through research, analysis, and reporting.
  • Malware Analyst/Reverse Engineer2
    • Annual Salary Range: $135,000 – 223,000*
    • Average Annual Salary: $173,000*
    • In the malware analyst/reverse engineer role, you would understand and determine countermeasures to malicious software (adware, bots, rootkits, spyware, ransomware, Trojan horses, viruses, and worms) with decompiling, disassembling, and deobfuscating.
  • Cyber Threat Hunter2
    • Annual Salary Range: $125,000 – $185,000*
    • Average Annual Salary: $155,000*
    • Like the job title suggests, a cyber threat hunter must hunt and eliminate cybercriminals who are too highly advanced to be detected with automated solutions.
  • Vulnerability/Threat Management Analyst2
    • Annual Salary Range: $95,000 – $170,000*
    • Average Annual Salary: $128,000*
    • If you become a vulnerability/threat management analyst, you will identify weaknesses in networks and software to mitigate cyber threats, correct cyberattacks, and strengthen security systems.
  • Open-Source Intelligence (OISNT) Analyst3, 4
    • Annual Salary Range: $51,000 – $146,500
    • Average Annual Salary: $98,618
    • For those passionate about the freedom of information, OSINT analysts monitor and assess open-source information and relevant events, identify risks, and conduct threat assessments.
  • Incident Response Analyst5, 6
    • Annual Salary Range: $46,500 – $129,500
    • Average Annual Salary: $96,618
    • Incident response analysts investigate, analyze, and respond to network cyberattacks; coordinate incident response protocols; and report on relevant topics such as cyber defense trend analyses.

Be strategic—take advantage of the market’s demand for threat intelligence experts and explore more careers in cybersecurity.

What Cyber Threat Intelligence Skills Are Needed?

Cyber threat intelligence skills are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cybersecurity field is booming.7 From 2023 to 2033, the BLS predicts a 33% increase in job openings.1 That’s much faster than the average job growth rate of 4%. Not to mention, 62% of employers surveyed say they were impacted by a shortage of cybersecurity professionals in 2023.8

That’s why the Middlebury Online MS in Cybersecurity prioritizes career-ready skills that will help you thrive as a threat intelligence expert. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to sit for several highly respected cybersecurity certification exams, including the CompTIA Security+ and ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designations. Plus, practice using your new knowledge and skills right away with Middlebury’s project-based cybersecurity practicum course.

Supportive MIIS faculty will develop your skills in the following sought-after areas:

  • Cryptography and data privacy
  • Cyber physical defense
  • Cyber policy and emerging threats
  • Cyber threat intelligence
  • Cyber warfare
  • Cybercrime, risk, and compliance
  • Cybersecurity principles
  • Infrastructure defense and resilience
  • Network security
  • Security operations
  • Security technology

Become a Threat Intelligence Expert at Middlebury

Cybersecurity needs more motivated professionals like you. Solidify your threat intelligence qualifications with a 100% online MS in Cybersecurity from Middlebury Institute, a university recognized as one of the Most Innovative Schools in 2024 by U.S. News & World Report.9 You can graduate in as little as two years and become qualified for a wide range of threat intelligence careers. Plus, you’ll hone your skills using the Recorded Future advanced cyber threat intelligence platform as part of your hands-on, experiential coursework.

Sources and Disclaimer

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Information Security Analysts.” Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm.
  2. Hellman, Karl. U.S. Department of Labor Blog. “See Yourself in Cybersecurity.” Retrieved July 8, 2025, from https://blog.dol.gov/2023/09/22/see-yourself-in-cybersecurity.
  3. ISACA. “Track These 7 Trends for Proactive Cybersecurity in 2024.” Retrieved July 11, 2025, from https://www.isaca.org/resources/news-and-trends/industry-news/2023/track-these-7-trends-for-proactive-cybersecurity-in-2024.
  4. CyberSN. “45 Cybersecurity Roles.” Retrieved July 8, 2025, from https://cybersn.com/45-cybersecurity-roles/.
  5. ZipRecruiter. “Incidence Response Analyst Salary.” Retrieved July 9, 2025, from https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Incident-Response-Analyst-Salary#Yearly.
  6. America’s Cyber Defense Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Cyber Defense Incident Responder.” Retrieved July 9, 2025, from https://www.cisa.gov/careers/work-rolescyber-defense-incident-responder.
  7. ZipRecruiter. “Open Source Intelligence Analyst Salary.” Retrieved July 9, 2025, from https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Open-Source-Intelligence-Analyst-Salary.
  8. OSINT Jobs. “Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Analyst | Berlin, 10179.” Retrieved July 9, 2025, from https://www.osint-jobs.com/job/open-source-intelligence-osint-analyst-berlin-10179.
  9. U.S. News & World Report, “Middlebury College Rankings.” Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/middlebury-college-3691/overall-rankings.
  10. U.S. Intelligence Community Careers. “Join the Intelligence Community.” Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/.
  11. FBI Jobs. “Intelligence Careers at the FBI: Intelligence Analysts.” Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://fbijobs.gov/intelligence-analysts.

*Salary amounts are reflective of cybersecurity professionals with two years of relevant experience, according to CyberSN research practices.

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