A James Bond Myth of International Security

As someone who has spent the last better half of a decade hoping to work in international security, wishing to better understand how to enter the workforce and what it will require of me, I interviewed Damien Ferré, specialized in jihad consulting and analysis, and founder of Jihad Analytics in Geneva, to understand the realities of working in the field.

Jihad Analytics, a consulting company specialized in cyber and global jihad and focused on data analysis, provides their clients with extensive reports on the military operations, strategies and methodology of specific jihadist groups through risk assessments and reports summarizing the findings from the analysis of gathered intelligence of OSINT training.

According to him, many who choose a career in international security have fallen into the trap Hollywood set for us, through the portrayal of James Bond, Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne and Jack Ryan. The story of a courageous hero who single-handedly, without bureaucratic limitations, an unlimited budget, and access to futuristic technology, whilst very entertaining, is not realistic. However, these charming womanizers, who seem to portray the essence of masculinity, have absolutely no personal lives, no receding hairline, perfect chiseled abs, a black belt in seemingly every single martial art, a bizarre and specialized iconic drink order, as well as questionable mental health, and seem to characterize every spy movie main character,  generate a false perception for viewers that these are the realities of becoming an analyst, spy, or any international security-related job. 

Whilst Damien Ferré confirmed that working in this field is particularly exciting and thrilling, the job is not what Hollywood might have us believe. Firstly, the bureaucratic and administrative aspect of such jobs is not only present, but unavoidable. An analyst cannot simply decide to use company resources and data to go single-handedly save the world, whilst ignoring company restrictions and orders. Reports and missions, depending on the specific field of security one is working in, are done in a team, and require the acceptance of bureaucratic impositions. 

Secondly, in such jobs it is of utmost importance to keep a private life. It is too easy to become hyper-focused on the dangers analyzed during work hours and then veer into paranoia. Having loved ones, keeping your hobbies, and nourishing your social life is essential to prevent your work life from consuming you entirely. Having post-traumatic stress disorder from some of the data analyzed or field work is nothing to be romanticized, and without any private life it is practically impossible to tolerate and recover from.

As one of the biggest fans of Hollywood’s spy movies, and someone who is first in line to go see the newest Mission Impossible movie in the movie theaters with a huge bag of caramel popcorn, it is an important reminder that whilst the James Bond life is exciting, appealing and full of mystery, one should not take the world and reality it portrays any more seriously than that of Harry Potter. It may be thrilling, but it remains fictional. Instead, one’s curiosity about the field of international security can revolve around the possibility of being up-to-date and aware of almost every security threat and event occurring, the possibility of being able to contribute to the safety of one country’s citizens, and the strategic and analytical skills required of someone working in the field.

The association of Sciences Defense has invited him for a conference in March, in which he will tell us more about some of his stories in the field, some of his reports on terrorist groups such as the Islamic State, and the reality of the profession.