JUSTIFICATION AND OVERVIEW:
With the vast majority of actionable intelligence now available in open digital environments, Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) has become a cornerstone capability for law enforcement, military, intelligence services, and security professionals.
 
Whether tracking threat actors, supporting investigations, mapping digital infrastructure, or providing real-time operational insights—OSINT enables rapid, cost-effective intelligence gathering in a legally defensible framework.
 
However, despite the proliferation of online tools and data, most personnel lack a structured understanding of how to collect, assess, and apply open-source information ethically, securely, and effectively. Many also fail to consider operational security (OPSEC), the legality of collection in different jurisdictions, or the importance of source validation and reporting standards.
 
The Essential OSINT Principles course addresses this critical skills gap. It provides participants with a structured approach to open-source investigations, from planning and collection through to analysis and reporting. Students learn how to navigate surface web, deep web, and dark web content; gather intelligence on individuals, companies, and assets; and use freely available tools while maintaining legal and ethical compliance.
 
Delivered by intelligence professionals with operational experience across government, military, and law enforcement domains, this course emphasises tradecraft over tool-dependency—ensuring students develop long-term capability, not just technical tricks.
 
BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT:
This course provides a structured, practical foundation in OSINT collection and analysis, enabling professionals to gather, verify, and report open-source intelligence with confidence. It focuses on ethical, legally compliant, and secure collection methods across a wide range of online platforms.
 
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:
Participants should have a basic working knowledge of internet use and file management. This course is open to government, law enforcement, military, or corporate security personnel with investigative roles. No prior OSINT experience is required. All content aligns with local and international legal frameworks for open-source investigation.
 
INDICATIVE COURSE CONTENT:
Module 1: OSINT Fundamentals & Legal Principles
• What OSINT is—and what it is not
• Legal boundaries of open-source collection in various jurisdictions
• OSINT cycle: Planning, Collection, Processing, Analysis, Reporting
Module 2: OPSEC for OSINT Practitioners
• Maintaining anonymity and minimising digital footprint
• Use of secure browsers, VMs, VPNs, and container environments
• Avoiding contamination of sources and identity leakage
Module 3: Targeted Intelligence Collection – People, Companies, Assets
• Investigating individuals: usernames, aliases, phone numbers, email traces
• Researching companies: ownership, networks, supply chains
• Geolocation and metadata from images, social media, and video
Module 4: Tools & Techniques (Free/Open-Source)
• Search engines, people search platforms, WHOIS and DNS research
• Social media scraping and timeline reconstruction
• Mapping tools, breach database analysis, and web archiving techniques
Module 5: Source Validation and Intelligence Assessment
• Differentiating signal from noise
• Cross-referencing and confirming sources
• Assessing intent, reliability, and bias in digital environments
Module 6: Reporting & Dissemination
• Writing actionable OSINT reports for tactical or strategic consumers
• Structuring findings using intelligence models (e.g., 5x5x5, CARVER, SWOT)
• Creating simple visual aids, maps, and link diagrams