JUSTIFICATION AND OVERVIEW:
In today’s complex threat environment, surface-level OSINT collection is no longer sufficient. Threat actors are using encrypted platforms, ephemeral content, deception tactics, and disinformation networks to mask their digital footprint.
Investigators must therefore elevate their OSINT capability—moving beyond passive browsing to deploy sustained, structured, and covert digital tradecraft that matches the sophistication of the adversary.
The Advanced Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Principles course is designed as a direct progression from the Essential OSINT Principles course. It focuses on advanced collection strategies, deep correlation of entities across platforms, foreign language environments, dark web enumeration, and the deployment of custom tooling to enhance investigative outcomes.
Students will also learn how to pivot across digital artifacts, use automation to process scale, and generate intelligence capable of informing national security, law enforcement, or counter-threat operations.
Drawing from the real-world experience of intelligence operatives and cyber investigators, this course emphasises practical outcomes over theoretical knowledge, with scenario-based tasks and redacted case studies.
Students will leave with improved capability in target tracking, infrastructure mapping, and digital attribution—even when adversaries attempt to hide their trail.
BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT:
This course delivers advanced digital tradecraft skills for professional OSINT practitioners. Students will learn to uncover harder-to-find data, correlate activity across platforms, and attribute digital personas using structured techniques, automation, and covert collection methods—legally and ethically.
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:
Prerequisite: Completion of Essential OSINT Principles (or prior assessed operational OSINT experience). Students must be proficient with search techniques, browser OSINT tools, and fundamental OPSEC practices.
INDICATIVE COURSE CONTENT:
Module 1: Structured Target Development & Digital Pattern of Life
• Entity resolution across fragmented data (aliases, handles, infrastructure)
• Mapping patterns of digital activity (timing, timezone, platform use)
• Extracting timeline metadata from social media, video, and cached content
Module 2: Deep & Dark Web Enumeration
• Accessing and navigating TOR, I2P, and decentralised platforms
• Identifying illicit marketplaces, forums, and closed group interactions
• Gathering threat actor infrastructure (onion mirrors, wallet addresses, TTPs)
Module 3: Foreign Language & Geopolitical OSINT
• Tools for cross-language collection and translation at scale
• Investigating actors in Russian, Chinese, Farsi, Arabic, and regional networks
• Using local platforms and mirrors (e.g., VK, Weibo, Telegram variants)
Module 4: Tool-Driven Automation & Scaling Investigations
• Writing and modifying scripts (Python/Node) for scraping, parsing, and alerting
• Scheduling persistent collections from volatile sources
• APIs and scraping frameworks: limitations and ethics
Module 5: Counter-OSINT & Deception Analysis
• Identifying honeypots, false flags, sockpuppets, and manipulated content
• analysing image manipulation, metadata laundering, and synthetic personas
• Correlating across decoys to reveal original operators
Module 6: Infrastructure and Network Attribution
• Pivoting from domains, IPs, certificates, and host artifacts
• Cross-referencing WHOIS, DNS history, and passive DNS
• Clustering infrastructure with adversary toolkits and malware overlaps
Module 7: Legal and Partner Sharing Considerations
• Structuring findings for inter-agency, classified, or evidential use
• Managing jurisdictional issues across cross-border OSINT work
• Preparing intelligence for briefing to leadership or prosecutors