Application of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Framework in the Modern Era

Does the power of publicly available information challenge conventional wisdom and offer new perspectives on transparency? 

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) gathers and analyzes publicly available information to produce valuable insights and answer intelligence inquiries.

This process involves assessing and integrating data from various sources to generate comprehensive and reliable intelligence.

Hackers, national intelligence teams, and security experts can access open-source data and utilize it for desired purposes.

Cyber defenders take preventive measures by analyzing the publicly acceptable information that can be misused by attackers related to their organizations.

Don’t confuse information with intelligence! This blog will discuss open-source intelligence in the AML niche, its modern-day importance, and the top four targeted applications for improved risk management.

Is Open Source Intelligence Worth the Hype? 

If open source isn’t adding value to any information or you are not getting the desired information that fulfills the requirements, then it’s simply collecting raw data through open sources.

It’s due to the critical analyzing power that transforms data into Intelligence.

The OSINT process follows modern methods to arrange vast data present on open sources and find critical information by IT security specialists, attackers, or state intelligence teams.

Open-source information contains massive amounts of data on various things including public records, websites, the dark web, news media, online libraries, social media apps, images, videos, and websites by the government.

During the Cold War, open sources emerged as the main element of intelligence. They became the primary way to gather information about political plans and military rivals, enabling the prediction of threats and early warnings.

Is Open Source Database Reliable? 

Have you ever wondered about the variety and range of publicly available online data?

Because of the internet’s popularity and evolution worldwide, social media and other digital platforms play a significant role in analyzing information about a firm’s technological system and environment.

Just a few clicks and it gives you a lot of freely accessible data for better knowledge as to prevent potential attempts of data breaches.

Compliance teams within organizations employ OSINT to enhance operational security by locating sensitive public data related to targeted subjects for effective and proactive risk assessment.

Can your business benefit from OSINT?

Apart from AML, there are several OSINT industries that extract data from publicly available sources and use it for intelligence procedures.

Find out here if your business requires AML OSINT in 2024?

• Government and Armed forces

Officials and armed forces collect data for intelligence purposes, risk assignment, and awareness-raising.

They can evaluate security concerns, follow political developments, and monitor possible threats to solve inquiries and improve protection.

• Law implementation organizations

Organizations that make and enforce laws within the state and globally use OSINT procedures to accumulate sensitive information that helps them in investigations.

Law enforcement agencies detect criminal operations and check criminals through OSINT to enhance national security and combat terrorist and crime activities.

• Risk Assessment in Private Companies

Evaluating potential business threats, examining and reviewing company rivals, and getting knowledge about the market are possible through OSINT techniques in private companies to safeguard their resources.

• Cybersecurity

Organizations safeguard their digital systems by following OSINT techniques to enhance cybersecurity. OSINT collects information about potential concerns and weak areas for attackers.

It identifies and manages threats and breach attempts to digital systems. Use of OSINT may help block potential suspects thus preventing disclosure of sensitive information.

• Press World and Media

Reporters and Media professionals research stories, confirm incidents, and reveal the truth using the OSINT process.

They collect data using different mediums to provide authentic information to the public and adverse media coverage.

• Scholarly Investigation

Researchers and policymakers use OSINT techniques to conduct investigations, examine patterns, and acquire knowledge in many domains, such as political sciences, sociological research, and economics.

• Dealing with finances

Financial organizations employ OSINT to identify illegal activities, evaluate risks, and ensure AML compliance. OSINT detects unusual activities and complies with regulatory guidelines.

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

NGOs collect data on social issues and breaches of human rights to enhance exposure and provide relief and resources to comfort people in affected areas due to any disaster. They also collect information on emergencies and assist on time by monitoring disputes.

There are only a few instances of OSINT being widely used in various domains and disciplines where accessibility to current and relevant data is essential.

Are There Any Other Alternatives in Place?

Although OSINT industries offer a wide range of data. However, it is not the “only” option for intelligence extraction. Other alternatives may include:

7 Steps to Choose the Right OSINT Framework

Have you wondered how cybersecurity agents and intelligence organizations use OSINT to collect significant information from online available data sources? 

An organized manual for achieving the OSINT framework is given below.

• Outline the Intelligence Requirements

Start by establishing your goals and what particular data you are searching for. This will define the nature and direction of your open source intelligence tool selection.

• Determine Relevant Sources

Examine the credibility and reliability of open sources according to your requirements.

These may include social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), news and public websites, government-published reports, online forums and dashboards, and other databases.

• Establish a User Plan

Develop a strategic approach for how this data can help with risk management. Explore their data collection strategies, web tracking tools, search inquiries or take trials before you decide to select a tool.

• Real Time Data Access

Make sure to cross check your business requirement with specifications offered by OSINT tool. With risk status changing every second, an open source offering real time access to updated databases is what you may require to meet your compliance requirement.

• Easy to Use Interface

Among a wide range of challenges, a complex tool is not much wanted. Look for an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to collect, analyze, and visualize data.

Check if the framework offers customization options for greater control and better user experience.

• Integration Capabilities:

It is vital to consider that the OSINT framework can integrate with your existing tools and systems, such as data analysis platforms, CRM systems, or threat intelligence platforms without extra hassle or cost.

The availability of APIs for seamless data transfer and automation could be a top up.

• Critical Analysis

With a vast range of data in open source, it is crucial to assess which insights are relevant for your business and desired intent of using OSINT.

An OSINT framework with advanced analytical capabilities, such as data correlation, pattern recognition, network analysis, and sentiment analysis is required to deal with data vastness and modern data risks.

Crucial Case of The Boston Marathon Bombing

The Boston Marathon Bombing was a significant event in 2013. Here’s a visual capturing the moment bomb exploded:

The question remains; “ Does OSINT help in such cases?”

The answer is “yes”.

Two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring hundreds.

Investigators in this case used social media, surveillance footage, and crowd-sourced photos to help identify the perpetrators, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, within days of the attack.

What Other Features to Look Out For?

OSINT features have also evolved, and the following are advanced OSINT specifications to look for in 2024!

• Web Data Scraping

OSINT gathers data by scraping complete websites. These tools handle vast data collection by involving different computers and changing their IP addresses to surpass detection.

These tools can examine job posting websites, social media accounts, and business-related websites to identify questionable hiring behaviors, abrupt job shifts, or productions of shell companies.

Compliance officers can improve due diligence on targeted individuals or organizations by collecting extensive intelligence and automating the data extraction.

• Social Media Intelligence

OSINT tools with Natural Language Processing (NLP) find significant data, identifies patterns, and detects possible issues by identifying popular topics among people on social media.

These tools facilitate a better understanding of public opinions about financial organizations.

MLROs can identify famous individuals who can be involved in money laundering, and identify adverse patterns that can contribute to money laundering.

• Dark Web Surveillance

Many time crime cases remain unreported while dark webs maintain a complete record of them.

OSINT tools with dark web surveillance are essential to examine and identify criminal activities like transporting illegal products or funds.

This allows for identifying and reducing risks associated with dark world crimes and ensures financial organizations comply with AML regulations.

• Geospatial Intelligence

OSINT tools with geospatial intelligence combine different geographical data sources to acquire knowledge of any region.

GEOINT tools locate infrastructure and land use alteration by examining satellite photos that might highlight illegal activities, e.g., money laundering in real estate by sudden building construction without obvious funding.

Business with such tools can  ensure that funds are not misused in affected areas due to disaster or calamity and facilitate aid in accurate areas.

• Digital Crime Investigation

OSINT tools with forensic records and encrypted data can be used to examine and extract data from system memory dumps.

These tools can be used to examine the methodology criminals use to conceal their illicit funds.

Intelligence collected through these tools facilitates making a case and supporting the facts with evidence against people who are involved in money laundering.

• Use of AI and Machine Learning

NLP techniques, such as identifying names and locations and deciding the emotional tone and themes in the text, are used to extract significant intelligence from large text databases.

Humans might overlook identifying unusual patterns and abnormalities, but OSINT tools automatically examine a large amount of data.

Tools with NLP approaches, machine learning and AI specifications predict future threats by examining the history and ensuring financial organizations reduce money laundering risks and comply with AML guidelines.

Is OSINT Worth it in 2024?

Let’s discuss the significance of OSINT in 2024 below.

• Easier Data Collection

Open source intelligence (OSINT) allows for collecting massive amounts of data from publicly accessible sources such as social media platforms, websites, and online databases.

The organization gathers open-source intelligence and conducts comprehensive analysis to obtain competitive insights and market trends without hacking or complicated methods. OSINT helps to identify potential risks and work effectively.

• Evaluation of safety and risk

OSINT facilitates the assessment of safety and risks by delivering intelligence and predicting future concerns and vulnerabilities before they happen.

Security experts spot and determine risks in systems. It avoids attacking and strengthens awareness about the situation to plan effective methods to reduce risks.

• Legal and Ethical Perspective

Using OSINT is regulated to ensure that data analysis and collection are always conducted ethically and according to law. Following these recommendations ensures no privacy is invaded.

Obtaining people’s information doesn’t violate their rights, and ethical approaches ensure that intelligence activities safeguard people’s rights by following rules and regulations.

• Control of Online Presence

OSINT can be utilized by users and firms to regulate and monitor publicly available, accessible information about them. To prevent data privacy compromises or leaks, OSINT helps identify and locate possible reputation concerns.

By keeping an eye on and staying up-to-date on their public information, they can take actions to safeguard their privacy and personal and professional image and increase overall security by taking steps.

Here’s how OSINT tools can be distinctively used for different purposes and intent.

Want to know how OSINT can help your business?

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is a powerful resource that uses publicly available information to provide valuable insights for businesses.

One of the key benefits of OSINT is proactive access to open sources such as social media, forums, news sites, and public records; businesses can identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities.

Moreover, OSINT supports strategic planning and decision-making. Access to a wealth of information from diverse sources enables businesses to identify trends, forecast market developments, and make informed decisions.

In conclusion, OSINT offers a wide range of benefits for businesses, from enhancing security and risk management to gaining competitive intelligence and improving customer engagement.