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What Is OSINT?
OSINT stands for Open-Source Intelligence, which is the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information that is publicly available and legally accessible. It is used by various organizations, including governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations, for information gathering on a wide range of topics such as security threats, market research, and competitive intelligence.
Key Characteristics of OSINT
Publicly Available
OSINT information is accessible to anyone and can be found through various sources such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, official organizations, scientific research, conference reports, and more. This data is pulled from sources all over the world.
Legally Accessible
OSINT does not require illegal or unethical means to obtain the information.
Non-Sensitive
OSINT is typically used for non-sensitive intelligence purposes, and is not classified or proprietary.
Human Sources
OSINT can also be obtained from HUMANINT sources (human intelligence), such as a person sharing information one-on-one with evidence to back up their statement.
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Ex: John Doe sees a ship off the coast of Florida and shows evidence in their cell phone video that they are in Florida and then shows the ship off the coast in an identifiable clear video.
OSINT Is Used For
Security
Threats
Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities
Market
Research
Gathering information on market trends, competitors, and customers
Competitive Intelligence
Gaining insights on competitors and industry trends
Law
Enforcement
Gathering information on criminal activity and suspects
OSINT Tools and Techniques
Advanced search engines and search techniques
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Social media monitoring and analysis
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Data mining and machine learning algorithms
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Open-source software and tools for data collection and analysis
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