What is Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) - Part 1 | Introduction

 Picture Credit to European Security Academy

Welcome to my first OSINT blog post. So let me begin by providing you with the definition of OSINT.

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) is intelligence produced by collecting, evaluating, and analyzing publicly available information in order to answer a particular intelligence query. It involves locating information that is relevant to the intelligence query and providing actionable intelligence in support of an investigation.

OSINT is mostly used by law enforcement, penetration tester, cyber threat intelligence personnel, military, private investigators and investigative journalist.

Open-Source information can be obtained from numerous sources including:

1. Public Records

2. News media

3. Social media platforms

4. Images, Videos

5. Websites

6. Dark Web

We all use open-source, though we may not be aware of it, and for a variety of reasons. For example, we could use open-source information to conduct a someone's credibility check and learn more about a e-commerce marketplace seller. We also can conduct a background check on someone we encountered on a social media application or before hiring them for a job. 

Following are the example of how OSINT is used:

1. Security and Intelligence: OSINT can be used to collect intelligence on prospective security threats, such as terrorist activity or cyberattacks. Additionally, it can be used to gather intelligence on foreign governments, organizations, and individuals.
2. Market Research: OSINT can be utilized to collect data on competitors, industry trends, and consumer behavior. This data can inform business strategy and decision-making.
3. Journalism: Journalists can use OSINT to acquire information on a variety of topics, such as politics, business, and crime, using OSINT. This can aid in story discovery and provide substantiation for reporting.
4. Academy Purpose: OSINT can be used by academic researchers to collect information on a variety of topics, including social trends, public opinion, and economic indicators.
5. Legal Purpose: OSINT can be used in legal proceedings to acquire evidence or conduct background checks on potential witnesses or defendants.

I will explain on how OSINT is processed in the next blog post.