What does it take to succeed in cyber threat intelligence today? Josh Darby McLellan draws from his unique journey through geopolitical risk into the CTI space to reveal practical insights for both aspiring analysts and established professionals.

The conversation opens with Josh's unexpected path into threat intelligence, highlighting a crucial revelation for newcomers: you don't need special access or expensive tools to begin gaining CTI experience. With abundant open-source resources available, anyone can practice analysis workflows, build a portfolio, and demonstrate genuine passion before landing their first role.

Beyond technical foundations like the Diamond Model and Kill Chain, Josh emphasizes communication as perhaps the most critical skill for CTI professionals. "Your entire CTI process will fall completely flat if you are not able to communicate that intelligence in a way that lands with your stakeholders," he notes. This challenge becomes especially apparent when teams struggle to translate their value into language business leaders understand—a persistent hurdle for many CTI programs.

The discussion explores how collaboration across traditionally competitive organizations creates powerful intelligence sharing networks, particularly within industries facing similar threats. Josh also tackles AI's impact, warning that "your job won't be replaced by AI, but by someone who can use AI," encouraging analysts to embrace tools that automate repetitive tasks while preserving human judgment for critical analysis.

Looking ahead, Josh predicts short-term challenges for CTI teams proving their worth during economic uncertainty, but remains optimistic about the field's future as cyber attacks continue increasing in volume and severity against a fractured geopolitical landscape. For those intrigued by this dynamic field, his advice is simple: dive in, leverage free resources, and discover if this intellectually stimulating career path is right for you.

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