Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) Internship

Program Requirements & Benefits

• Credit-Based: All internships must be taken for college/university credit.
• Commitment: Typically 10–20 hours per week (varies by division).
• Flexibility: Office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Interns can set a flexible schedule within these hours to accommodate their academic needs.
• Compensation: These are currently unpaid positions unless otherwise noted.
• Perks: Gain practical work experience, access to state-level training, professional networking, and a potential pathway to full-time employment within the State of Colorado.

The Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) is an office within DHSEM that serves as a central hub for receiving, analyzing, and sharing threat-related information among public sector, private sector, local, tribal and federal partners throughout Colorado and the United States. The CIAC focuses on preventing acts of crime, taking an all-threats approach to analyze potential dangers to Colorado's community and infrastructure, focusing on areas such as cyber actors, terrorism, threats to elected officials, and organized crime.

The CIAC internship program provides students with the opportunity to assist with analytic efforts, including intelligence writing, briefings, and trainings across a variety of focus areas. Internships typically range from 3–12 months in length, depending on the student’s availability and the needs of the assigned team.

Minimum time commitment: Three (3) months at four (4) hours per week.

Candidates must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s program (senior-year students) or a Master’s program with a focus in criminal justice, homeland security, intelligence, cybersecurity, fire and emergency management, or a related field. Ability to pass a background investigation and polygraph examination, as well as successful completion of required training upon acceptance as an intern. Internship opportunities are offered depending on operational unit needs.

The CIAC currently offers internships in the following units, depending on operational needs:

• All Threats Intelligence Unit - This unit is responsible for the receipt, review, analysis and dissemination of threat related information and intelligence for several areas including violent gangs, illicit narcotics and threats to elected officials.
• Critical Infrastructure Protection - This unit strives to mitigate threats and hazards to Colorado’s critical infrastructure by leveraging cross-sector intelligence.
• Cyber - This unit offers cyber and IP support to increase information sharing and awareness of cyber threats and best practices.
• Preventing Targeted Violence - This unit has a multidisciplinary approach to prevent ideological, non-ideological and bias motivated attacks, including analysis of extremism trends, case support, and behavioral threat assessment training.
• Safe2Tell - This unit fields Safe2Tell tips from students and community members as it relates to concerning behaviors.
• Watch Center - This unit provides 24/7 situational awareness for the CDPS and provides tactical support to our partners upon request. More information can be found here.