Open-Source Intelligence 104: Collections Management

Overview:

This 2-day course develops Open-Source (OSINT) analytic techniques for successful collection management. The course is designed to equip business professionals, military personnel, law enforcement, analysts, and others with the skills and knowledge necessary to analyze operational environments, networks, and adversaries effectively. Participants will learn various techniques to conduct in-depth analysis of complex systems and present their findings to groups. The course will cover both theoretical concepts and practical applications, enabling students to develop linkages, understand network structures, and perform social network analysis. Additionally, students will learn how to apply the appropriate analysis methods for different adversary systems and gain an understanding of the various Targeting Cycles.

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: 

  • Intelligence Analyst: Organize and manage intelligence data from diverse sources for efficient analysis and decision-making.

  • Data Analyst/Manager: Apply collections management principles to maintain databases with data integrity and accessibility for reporting and analysis.

  • Digital Forensics Investigator: Handle and preserve digital evidence in a forensically sound manner, maintaining chain of custody and data integrity.

  • Market Research Analyst: Utilize collections management to organize market data, surveys, and competitor intelligence for effective market analysis.

  • Museum Curator: Employ collections management techniques to catalog, preserve, and curate artifacts and historical documents for exhibition and research.

  • Library and Information Specialist: Categorize and organize books, journals, and digital resources in libraries for efficient retrieval and access.

  • Compliance Officer: Track regulatory requirements, policy documents, and compliance-related data using collections management to ensure adherence to standards and regulations.

• WHERE: Instructor-led virtual

• WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: 

• Intelligence Cycle: Understand the fundamental steps of the intelligence cycle.

• Intelligence Collection Principals: Learn the key principles guiding intelligence collection.

• Types of Intelligence Collection Assets: Familiarize with various types of intelligence collection assets, such as SIGINT, IMINT, MASINT, HUMINT, GEOINT, and OSINT.

• Intelligence Collection Process: Learn the overall process of intelligence collection.

• Developing Your Collection Process: Understand how to develop a tailored collection process.

• Intelligence Collection Requirements Management: Learn how to manage intelligence collection requirements effectively.

• Essential Elements of Information: Understand the essential elements of information in intelligence collection.

• Indicators: Learn how to identify and use indicators in intelligence collection.

• Specific Intelligence Requirements: Understand the concept of specific intelligence requirements.

• Intelligence Collection Operations Management: Understand the process of managing intelligence collection operations.

• TUITION: 

• Tuition $2,500 per student

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

• PREREQUISITES: 

• A computer with internet access is required.

• Open-Source Intelligence 101: Fundamentals or,

  • A basic understanding of Publicly Available Information and Open-Source Intelligence practices.

• FORMAT:

• This is a 2-day course divided into 5 modules. 

• Module 1 is the course introduction. 

• Modules 2-4 are the core of the program providing classroom learning intelligence collection management process and procedures. 

• Module 5 is a capstone exercise requiring students to demonstrate understanding of the skills developed in Modules 2-4.

Course Overview:

Module 1 – Course Introduction

• Forge Instructor Introductions

• Class Introductions

• Course Overview

Module 2 - Intelligence Cycle and Collections Process

• Intelligence Cycle

• Intelligence Collection Principals

• Types of Intelligence Collection Assets

  • Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)

  • Imagery Intelligence (IMINT)

  • Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT)

  • Human Intelligence (HUMINT)

  • Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT)

  • Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)

• Intelligence Collection Process

• Developing Your Collection Process

Module 3 - Collection Requirements Management

• Intelligence Collection Requirements Management

• Information Requirements

• IR Practical Application

• Prioritized Intelligence Requirement Development

• Essential Elements of Information

• Indicators

• Specific Intelligence Requirements

• Specific Orders or Requests

• Named Areas of Interest

• Intelligence Collections Worksheet

• Intelligence Collection Requirements Management Practical Application

Module 4 - Collection Operations Management

• Intelligence Collection Operations Management

• Assigning Collections Assets

• Conducting Intelligence Collection Operations Management

• Intelligence Collection Operations Management Practical Application

Module 5 - Capstone Project

• Best Practice Discussion

• Project Description and Direction

• Project Creation

  • Individuals identify industry-specific information requirements

  • Individuals develop industry-specific collection plan

  • Individuals identify collection capabilities

  • Individuals allocate prioritized intelligence requirements to collection capabilities

• Group Project Review and Feedback

  • Collection Plan is Discussed with Forge Instructor

  • Discussion and Feedback