Open Source Intelligence
Open Source Intelligence (OISINT) refers to the practice of collecting and analyzing information from publicly available sources to gather insights, identify trends, or generate intelligence.
Intelligence Cycle
| 1 Planning & Direction | 2 Collection | 3 Processing | 4 Analysis & Production | 5 Dissemination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan, strategize, research, discuss, gather intelligence, execute tasks efficiently. | Gather intelligence overtly and covertly, utilizing various technological resources. | Compile collected data into intelligence reports. | Analyze data, determine relevance, anticipate outcomes, evaluate impact on interests. | Deliver analysis to policymaker, await feedback, restart cycle as necessary. |
Purpose of OSINT
- Security and Threat Intelligence
- Identifying security risks through analyzing public information on individuals and organizations.
- Investigations
- Conducting investigations into various matters by gathering relevant information.
- Competitive Intelligence
- Gathering information about competitors, market trends, consumer preferences, etc.
- Reputation Management
- Monitoring and managing the online reputation of individuals, organizations and brands.
- Journalism and Research
- Supporting research by gathering data to uncover facts, verify claims, and provide context.
- Disaster Response and Crises
- Assess the impact of natural disasters, conflicts or crises to facilitate effective response.