What is OSINT?
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), or intelligence from open sources, is the process of gathering, evaluating, and analysing publicly available information to answer specific intelligence questions.
Information vs. Intelligence
It’s worth noting that information is not the same as intelligence. Data collected from the internet is just raw material.
Only through analysis, interpretation, and giving it meaning does it transform into valuable intelligence.
OSINT isn’t just saving someone’s Facebook friends list — it’s understanding why that information matters in the context of an investigation or decision.
Examples of Open Information Sources
- Public registries
- News media
- Libraries and archives
- Social media
- Websites
- Photos and videos
- Dark Web
Who Uses OSINT?
- Governments and public administration
- Police and law enforcement
- Military
- Investigative journalists
- Human rights organisations
- Private investigators
- Law firms
- Information security specialists
- Cyber threat analysts (CTI)
- Penetration testers
- Social engineers
Each of us uses open sources — often unconsciously.
Checking a company’s or business partner’s credibility is OSINT in practice.
The Intelligence Cycle
The intelligence cycle is the foundation of OSINT work. It consists of several stages:
- Planning – defining goals, needs, and information sources.
- Collection – gathering data from various sources.
- Processing – selection, filtering, and organising information.
- Analysis and reporting – interpreting data and presenting conclusions.
OSINT Techniques
1. Passive Reconnaissance
Gathering data without direct interaction (e.g., WHOIS queries, DNS enumeration).
2. Active Reconnaissance
Direct interaction with the target (e.g., port scanning, social engineering).
3. Human Intelligence (HUMINT)
Gathering information from people (interviews, observations).
4. Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT)
Analysis of location-based data (maps, satellite images).
5. Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT)
Gathering data from social platforms.
Ethical OSINT Use
OSINT must be used responsibly:
- Respect privacy and data protection laws (GDPR).
- Avoid illegal methods (hacking, impersonation).
- Verify sources to combat misinformation.
- Use for legitimate purposes only (security, investigations).
Ethical OSINT builds trust and credibility.
OSINT Tools & Resources
- Search Engines: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo (with advanced operators).
- Social Media Tools: Maltego, SpiderFoot.
- OSINT Frameworks: Recon-ng, theHarvester.
- Databases: Shodan, Censys for device searching.
Real-World OSINT Projects
🔍 Bellingcat
An investigative journalism collective using OSINT to expose war crimes, corruption, and disinformation (e.g., MH17 downing).
→ bellingcat.com
🔍 Amnesty International
Uses OSINT to document human rights abuses worldwide, analysing satellite imagery and social media.
→ amnesty.org
🔍 Project OWL
Community initiative using open-source maps and data during natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes) for aid coordination.
→ projectowl.com
- MapAction – organisation using OSINT and geospatial data to map humanitarian crises, supporting UN, Red Cross, and WHO.
→ mapaction.org
💡 OSINT Education & Community
Trace Labs – volunteer OSINT community organising Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions focused on finding missing persons.
Collected data is shared with authorities.
→ tracelabs.orgOSINTCurio.us – international educational project promoting ethical OSINT use, offering free guides, training, and case studies.
→ osintcurio.us
🔎 Summary
These projects show that OSINT is more than an analytical technique – it’s a global movement of people using public information to protect lives, human rights, and security.
OSINT in the right hands has real power to change the world – from exposing disinformation to saving lives.
How OSINT Can Support Your Organisation
- Supporting investigations and profiling individuals or companies
- Verifying human sources (HUMINT)
- Risk and security assessment
- Supporting decision-making processes
- Creating entity connections
- Providing situational awareness and event monitoring
Conclusion
Today, OSINT is not just for intelligence agencies.
It’s a strategic tool for business, investigations, and analysis, helping understand a data-driven world — ethically, effectively, and responsibly.
🔐 OSINT in professional hands becomes a shield – not a weapon.
That’s what distinguishes an analyst from a hacker.
Get in Touch
Protect your company’s security.
I help with selecting, implementing, and auditing effective protection solutions.
Email: biuro@wichran.pl
Phone: +48 515 601 621
Author: Piotr Wichrań – Court-appointed IT expert, IT/OT cybersecurity specialist, licensed private investigator