It may be the 'cinematic' effect of the recent Mossad operations in Iran, it may be that the myth of 007 never fades, it may be that you can ac

It may be the 'cinematic' effect of the recent Mossad operations in Iran, or the fact that the myth of 007 never fades, or that it is more accessible than other professions: according to a survey conducted on a sample of 650 young men and women aged between 19 and 28 by the publication Spot and Web, one in four young people aspires to become a private investigator. But how do you become a private detective in the style of "Magnum PI" (from the famous 1980s series starring Tom Selleck)? The company Argo Spa, a leader in cybersecurity and the intelligence sector specializing in strategic consulting for businesses, has drawn up a sort of decalogue:

1. To practice as a licensed private investigator you must have a license issued by the territorially competent Prefecture. To obtain it, you must be an Italian citizen with a clean criminal record, have at least a three-year degree in law, forensic psychology, investigative sciences, economics, sociology, or political science, have completed at least three years of internship with a private investigator licensed for more than five years, and have attended advanced courses related to private investigation activities at universities or institutions recognized by the Ministry of the Interior. The situation is different for an employee private investigator; in this case, a high school diploma and at least three years of internship are sufficient. In the cybersecurity sector, however, a degree or diploma with a specialization in computer science, telecommunications, or data analysis is required. It is important to emphasize that, to practice these professions, you must have strong analytical skills and personal qualities such as loyalty, discretion, and moral integrity, which are essential requirements;
2. Women are well-suited to this type of work and their presence is currently growing: in recent years there has been greater interest from women (who remain a minority compared to men) in this type of activity, especially in technical and analytical roles;
3. In this job there is synergy between traditional methods and digital technologies. Surveillance remains a fundamental tool, especially when direct evidence must be collected and behaviors observed in real time. The activity is complemented by the use of advanced technological tools such as electronic tracking, digital surveillance, and big data analysis. Artificial intelligence is used as an investigative support: it helps process large amounts of data and identify hidden patterns, speeding up investigations;
4. Office work vs field work. The percentages vary depending on the type of assignment and the complexity of the investigation, but according to an estimate by Argo Spa, one can indicate 60% office work (including investigation planning, analysis of collected information, report writing, and administrative and bureaucratic management related to assignments) and 40% field work (with various operational activities such as stakeouts, surveillance, collection of photographic and video evidence, meetings with witnesses, and inspections);
5. A gun license is not mandatory. A driver's license is certainly essential for those carrying out field operations, such as surveillance, stakeouts, or mobile interventions. A background in the military can provide a rigorous mindset, discipline, and excellent observation skills, but it is not a necessary condition;
6. In the field of cybersecurity and digital investigations, the most sought-after figures are not simple "social profile hackers" or "data pirates". What is needed are professionals capable of operating concretely and legally in complex digital scenarios. Specifically:

• forensic analysts, who digitally reconstruct and document events and/or incidents;
• ethical hackers (or penetration testers), who simulate cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities;
• threat hunters, who identify threats, suspicious behaviors, or data leaks, even on the dark web;
• experts in electronic sweeps and physical-digital security, specialized in identifying bugs, spyware, and hidden cameras;

1. How much do IT skills "weigh" in the CV of modern investigators? It depends a lot on the type of investigation. If we are talking about traditional activities (surveillance, field observation, gathering elements through physical presence), IT skills weigh relatively little: they rarely exceed 20% of the profile. In these cases, basic digital knowledge is sufficient, useful for daily activities, communications, and standard data collection. When, on the other hand, we enter areas where the concept of investigation merges with intelligence and cyber analysis (from searching for hidden information to the technical reading of vulnerabilities that tell stories), IT is no longer just a support, but a large part of the operation itself. In these contexts, digital skills represent at least 50-60% of the professional profile;
2. Is it a satisfying job? The profession of private investigator offers a great variety of cases and situations, ranging from investigations into marital infidelity to the search for missing persons, from legal disputes to corporate investigations into fraud and unfair competition. This makes the job stimulating and never monotonous, as it allows you to experience out-of-the-ordinary situations, get to know different environments, and tackle real puzzles, offering rewards that few other careers can give. There is also a theme of social utility: this type of work has a real impact on the lives of people and companies: it helps bring out the truth, solve complex problems, and protect personal and property interests. In the intelligence field, the contribution can be even more significant, directly participating in national and international security. Let us not forget that those who embark on this career acquire advanced technical skills, such as the use of investigative technologies, data collection and analysis, surveillance, and the management of sensitive information. In the intelligence sector, additional language, IT, and cybersecurity skills are added, which are also in high demand in other professional fields;
3. It can be a "dangerous" profession. As in any profession that moves between confidentiality, exposure, and responsibility, there are margins of risk, especially when investigating in delicate, sensitive, or hostile environments. It is not a constant danger, but rather a matter of awareness and caution, even in the transmission of information obtained. As for secrecy, we would refer more to discretion and the ability not to reveal confidential information obtained in the course of one's work;
4. Finally, in terms of human relationships, some assignments can have an impact on rhythms, habits, and free time. It is certainly not a job for those seeking stable routines or predictable hours.