Is the intelligence analyst training really free?

Yes. All study material, the master exam, the capstone, and the public certificate URL are free. GACS Academy is donation-funded — no paywall.

What does the intelligence analyst training cover?

OSINT collection and ethics, source vetting using the NATO admiralty scale, structured analytic techniques (ACH, key assumptions check, red teaming), analyst-grade reporting, disinformation detection, and an end-to-end capstone investigation.

Is the GACS Intelligence Analyst certificate recognized?

It is a publicly verifiable GACS-issued credential with a shareable certificate URL. It is not a government or intelligence-community accreditation.

How long does the training take?

Most learners complete the curriculum, exam, and capstone in 25–40 hours of study.

GACS Academy · Free

Intelligence Analyst Training

A free, practical online curriculum for aspiring and working intelligence analysts. OSINT, structured analytic techniques (SAT), source vetting, threat reporting, and a capstone investigation.

Start training Open the OIA study book

Full curriculum

OSINT, SAT (ACH, key assumptions check, red teaming), reporting standards, and source-grading.

Capstone investigation

Run a real investigation end-to-end using GACS tools and submit a published report.

Free certificate

Pass the master exam and capstone to earn a public, verifiable certificate URL.

Modules

OSINT collection and ethical/legal boundaries
Source vetting and credibility grading (NATO admiralty scale)
Structured analytic techniques (ACH, KAC, red teaming)
Writing analyst-grade reports and timelines
Disinformation and influence-operation detection
Capstone: an end-to-end published investigation

Start free

All study material is free to read. Create an account only when you’re ready to take the exam.

Open the academy See a capstone sample