Open-Source Intelligence 101: Fundamentals

Overview:

This 3 day foundational course provides comprehensive insight into Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). Through the examination of real-world examples, participants will learn the fundamentals of OSINT, including how to effectively gather, analyze, and leverage information found on the open and deep web. Additionally, they will gain an understanding of the various challenges faced when working with OSINT, as well as the ethical considerations of collecting open source data.

The course is packed with informative and engaging lectures, hands-on exercises, and interactive scenarios, giving participants the tools to successfully carry out OSINT investigations.

Key Details:

• WHO:

  • Business professionals: Enhancing skills in gathering and analyzing publicly available information for market research, competitive intelligence, risk assessment, and informed decision-making.

  • Military personnel: Developing a deeper understanding of OSINT to support intelligence operations, threat assessments, situational awareness, and mission planning.

  • Law enforcement officers: Acquiring knowledge and tools for effective online searches, information collection, source verification, and supporting criminal investigations and intelligence gathering.

  • Security analysts: Leveraging OSINT techniques for threat monitoring, vulnerability assessment, background checks, and strengthening security measures.

  • Journalists and researchers: Enhancing information-gathering, fact-checking, and analysis skills for investigative journalism and academic research.

  • Government agencies: Improving OSINT collection, analysis, and dissemination processes for intelligence agencies, homeland security, and other government entities.

  • Cybersecurity professionals: Identifying potential threats, investigating cyber incidents, and gathering threat intelligence using OSINT methods.

  • Risk consultants and private investigators: Expanding their toolkit by incorporating OSINT techniques to gather relevant information for cases involving individuals, companies, or events.

• WHERE: Instructor-led virtual

• WHEN: 3 day course - Late Summer 2023

• WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

  • The distinction between Publicly Available Information (PAI) and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), and how to effectively differentiate between the two.

  • The process of converting raw information into actionable intelligence, including the techniques and methodologies involved.

  • How to establish a non-attributional search platform, ensuring anonymity and protecting privacy while conducting OSINT operations.

  • Effective strategies for conducting online searches, gathering PAI from various sources, and evaluating the reliability and credibility of information.

  • The ability to create an Open Source Intelligence Framework tailored to the specific needs of their workplace, enabling efficient and systematic OSINT collection and analysis.

  • Practical skills in developing comprehensive Open Source Intelligence products using the PAI they have identified, including reports, assessments, and presentations.

• TUITION: 

  • Tuition $3,500 per participant

  • Financial Aid may be available. Ask our team for details.

• PREREQUISITES:

  • No prerequisite course-work required.

  • A computer with internet access is required.

• FORMAT:

  • This is a 3-day course divided into 7 modules.

    • Module 1 is the course introduction.

    • Modules 2-6 are the core of the program providing classroom learning in the open source intelligence process, tools, tactics, techniques, and procedures.

    • Module 7 is a capstone exercise requiring students to demonstrate understanding of the skills developed in Modules 1-6.

Course Overview:

Module 1 - Course Introduction

• Forge Instructor Introductions 

• Class Introductions 

• Course Overview

Module 2 - Open-Source Intelligence Introduction

• Why it is important to understand Open-Source Intelligence development

• Intelligence Cycle

• Types of Intelligence 

• Definition of Open-Source Intelligence

• Open-Source Intelligence Process: From Information to Intelligence

• OSINT Legal Considerations

• Risks to Practitioners

• OSINT Ethics

Module 3 - Open-Source Information

• Types of Publicly Available Information and Searching Tips and Tricks

• Tips for Effective Use of Search Engines

• Deep and Dark Web Basics

Module 4 - Non-attributional Searching

• Developing OSINT Process and Procedures

• Developing and Using an OSINT Framework

• Non-attributional Searching

• Virtual Machine

• VPN Selection

Module 5 - Open-Source Information Tools and When to Use Them

• Information Gathering Tools and Techniques

• Intelligence Tools and When They Are Necessary 

• Selecting an Intelligence Tool 

Module 6 - Turning Open-Source Information into Intelligence

• Processing and Exploitation 

• Identifying if Information is Important and Why

• How to Process and Exploit Information

• Structured Analytic Techniques and Analysis Frameworks

• Fusing Multiple Forms of Intelligence

• Producing Finished Intelligence Products

Module 7 - Capstone Project

• OSINT Best-Practice Discussion

• Project Description and Direction

• Project Creation

• Group Project Review and Feedback

• Course Wrap Up