WHAT IS OPEN SOURCE INTELLIGENCE
Broadly speaking, open-source intelligence describes the knowledge or insight emerging from
focused collection, monitoring and analysis of publicly accessible information, now mostly
online, using specialised methods and tools.
Open Source Information is simply unclassified, publicly available data, while OSINT results from
applying processing and exploiting the information to validate it as relevant, accurate, and
actionable for use by the consumers
At first sight, open-source intelligence seems to be a contradiction in terms. Intelligence is
usually associated with secrets and spies, not the insights of online investigators, many of them
amateur, who share their findings with anyone who is interested.
Open-source intelligence does have roots in the intelligence context – indeed, these days it
holds more value than ever for national intelligence efforts – but it’s no longer tied exclusively
to the intelligence community
RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR
One is its contribution to situational awareness. In the lead-up to the invasion, for
example, videos posted to TikTok gave an insight into troop movements and build-up on the
borders of Ukraine.
Since the invasion, videos uploaded to Telegram, combined with publicly accessible satellite
imagery, have been shedding light on particular attacks and the progress of Russian forces. The
monitoring of vehicle license plates grabbed from social media is providing information about
the types of military vehicles deployed by the Russians, and their movements. Investigators
even managed to intercept and publish unencrypted radio transmission between Russian
forces.
During the Russian buildup on its western borders, Civilians equipped with smartphones have
recorded and disseminated the movements of troops and machinery. In addition, private
satellite companies have offered a comprehensive array of intelligence assets, encompassing
optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, alongside other sensor-collected data
pertaining to specific areas of interest in the conflict zones. This valuable information is
disseminated freely across social media and website platforms operated by said companies.
Local police forces and administrators have also leveraged platforms like Telegram to
disseminate alerts and announcements within the conflict zone. As some social media platforms
such as Twitter and Facebook are being subjected to sanctions by Russia, the country has
resorted to its own social media application, VKontakte. On the other hand, Ukraine has
employed a comprehensive range of social media applications, including both Western and
Russian platforms. The use of OSINT in the context of the Russia-Ukraine War can be
systematically analysed within the framework of the three intelligence levels: Strategic,
Operational, and Tactical Intelligence
EXAMPLES OF OPEN SOURCE ORGANISATIONS:
Bellingcat is an independent investigative collective of researchers, investigators and citizen
journalists brought together by a passion for open source research.
Founded in 2014, we have pioneered the use of open source research methods to investigate a
variety of subjects of public interest. These range from the shooting down of flight MH17 over
eastern Ukraine to police violence in Colombia and the illegal wildlife trade in the UAE. Our
research is regularly referenced by international media and has been cited by several courts and
investigative missions
Blackdot Solutions is a UK-based technology company specializing in Open-Source Intelligence
(OSINT), offering a flagship platform called Videris that streamlines the process of gathering,
analyzing, and visualizing publicly available data for investigative purposes. Videris enables users
—ranging from governments to financial institutions—to extract intelligence from open sources
such as corporate records, social media, and search engines, allowing them to uncover hidden
relationships and patterns in a secure, centralized workspace. Designed to enhance both the
efficiency and depth of investigations, Videris supports critical functions like anti-money
laundering, counter-terrorism, and due diligence, while also raising broader ethical questions
about the responsible use of OSINT tools
STRATEGIC ANALYSIS USING OSINT:
Access to Diverse Information: OSINT allows access to a wide range of sources, including social
media platforms, online forums, news articles, and government databases. This diverse
information landscape provides a comprehensive understanding of the operating environment.
Timeliness and Agility: With real-time updates, OSINT enables organisations to stay updated on
emerging trends, threats, and opportunities. It helps in adapting strategies swiftly, making
informed decisions promptly.
Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to traditional intelligence methods, OSINT is relatively cost-
effective. It eliminates the need for expensive proprietary databases or hiring specialised
analysts, as the information is readily available
Monitoring the political and social stability of a country, such as the level of civil unrest, human
rights violations, corruption, or terrorism. This can help identify potential threats or
opportunities for business, diplomacy, or security.
– Evaluating the economic and environmental conditions of a country, such as the GDP growth,
inflation, trade balance, natural resources, or climate change. This can help determine the
market potential, competitiveness, or sustainability of a country.
– Comparing the military and technological capabilities of a country, such as the size and
strength of the armed forces, the development and deployment of weapons systems, or the
innovation and research activities. This can help assess the strategic posture, deterrence, or
vulnerability of a country.
a. Identify relevant sources for gathering OSINT: Determine the sources that are most relevant
to your organisations objectives. This may include social media platforms, websites, blogs,
forums, academic research, or industry reports.
b. Establish effective data collection and management processes: Develop a systematic
approach to collect and manage OSINT data. Use tools like web scrapers, RSS feeds, or data
aggregators to automate data collection and ensure a streamlined process.
c. Utilise OSINT tools and techniques for analysis: Leverage OSINT tools and techniques to
analyse and extract meaningful insights from the gathered data. This may involve data
visualisation, sentiment analysis, geospatial mapping, or network analysis.
d. Verify and validate gathered information: Validate the reliability and accuracy of the
gathered information by cross-referencing multiple sources. Use fact-checking tools, consult
subject matter experts, or employ geolocation techniques to verify data authenticity.
OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE:
Incorporating OSINT into Operational Intelligence involves various techniques:
Social Media Monitoring: Analyzing posts and interactions to gauge public sentiment
or identify potential threats.
Geolocation Analysis: Using metadata and mapping tools to determine the location of
events or individuals.
Data Correlation: Cross-referencing information from multiple sources to validate
findings.
Automated Tools: Employing software to collect and analyze large datasets efficiently
The fusion of OSINT with Operational Intelligence has practical applications across various
domains:
Cybersecurity: Identifying vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors by monitoring
public data.
Military Operations: Tracking troop movements or identifying targets through publicly
shared information.
Business Strategy: Gaining insights into competitors' activities and market trends
Operational intelligence (OPINTEL) is a form of data acquisition considered necessary to
both intelligence community and military organizations for the successful planning,
execution, and accomplishment of missions (tactical and/or strategic), and operations and
campaigns within geotheaters and areas of operation—sanctioned and unsanctioned.
TACTICAL INTELLIGENCE
Tactical intelligence is focused on support to operations at the tactical level, and would be
attached to the Battlegroup. Specialized units operating in reconnaissance capacities carry out
the mission to identify, observe, and collect data that will later be delivered to command
elements for dissemination to command elements and units. At the tactical level, briefings are
then delivered to patrols on current threats and collection priorities
