OSINT: From Information to Intelligence

Study Notes

Defined as intelligence derived from publicly available information through collection, evaluation, and analysis.
Aims to address specific intelligence questions, transforming raw data into actionable intelligence.

Information becomes intelligence only when critically analyzed and contextualized.
Raw open-source findings must contain meaningful context to support investigations.
Example: Merely collecting a social media list is insufficient; it requires extracting relevant, actionable insights.

Public records provide official data accessible to the public.
News media offers reports that can reveal trend analysis and current events.
Libraries serve as repositories of books, archives, and historical data.
Social media platforms are key for real-time personal and public insights.
Images and videos are rich sources for visual data and verification.
Websites provide vast information across various topics.
The Dark Web contains hidden resources often not indexed by standard search engines.

Primary users include government agencies, law enforcement, and military organizations for strategic intelligence.
Investigative journalists utilize OSINT for uncovering stories and accountability.
Human rights investigators and private investigators apply it for fact-checking and case development.
Law firms rely on OSINT for legal research and due diligence.
Information security experts and cyber threat analysts use it to identify vulnerabilities.
Pen testers and social engineers exploit open-source data to seek information for ethical hacking.

Individuals unknowingly use OSINT for reliability checks in online transactions or personal encounters.
Examples include researching online sellers, verifying job candidates, or finding information about new acquaintances.