Open Source Intelligence or OSINT has long existed even before the concept was born. It now has become a critical component of modern intelligence gathering. Most organizations and actors use it to complement their more traditional intelligence-gathering methods such as Human Intelligence, Signals Intelligence, and Geospatial Intelligence. However, despite its popular applications across various fields and use cases, it has some serious limitations.
Pros of OSINT: Advantages and Applications of Open Source Intelligence
1. Cost-Effective Intelligence Gathering
One of the main advantages of OSINT is that it is cost-effective. Unlike classified intelligence, which requires expensive surveillance equipment, satellite imaging, or human operatives, OSINT relies on freely available information. This reduces the financial burden on organizations and allows for a broader scope of analysis without incurring additional costs.
A 2019 report from the think tank RAND Corporation highlighted that intelligence agencies in the United States save millions of dollars annually by leveraging publicly available data and information rather than relying solely on expensive satellite surveillance or covert operations. Automating the process of intelligence gathering results in additional cost savings.
2. Real-Time and Wide-Ranging Data
During the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, analysts have been using OSINT to track troop movements through satellite images and online posts. This allowed intelligence communities to assess battlefield developments more efficiently than traditional intelligence-gathering methods. Researchers are also using satellite images to document the extent of damage.
OSINT provides real-time data from diverse and easy-to-access sources. Specific sources like social media, news websites, satellite images, and online databases allow intelligence analysts to access information instantly. This real-time nature enables quick decision-making and immediate responses to emerging situations. Gathering these data can also be automated.
3. Legal and Ethical Accessibility
Another advantage of OSINT is that operates within legal and ethical boundaries, unlike classified intelligence. Remember that data and information are collected from publicly available sources. This makes it compliant with privacy laws from the get-go and enables actors or entities like government agencies and media to collect and analyze data without violating laws.
It is worth noting that the aforesaid advantage also benefits businesses and investors. These actors can monitor and utilize public financial reports and market trends from news sources, trade publications, or official government reports to understand their competitors or evaluate available market opportunities without engaging in corporate espionage or insider trading.
4. Enhance Organizational Capabilities
There are different examples of how businesses benefit from using OSINT. The practice can be a source of competitive advantage. It enables them to monitor the marketing strategies of their competitors. This can allow them to learn from the competition or develop counter-strategies. A continuous OSINT practice can also help them determine trends and mitigate risks.
Governments use OSINT to complement their whole intelligence-gathering operations. The U.S. and European Union have used various open sources in monitoring various affairs within the realms of foreign policy and international relations. These include economic trends, public health issues, other international developments, and potential sources of geopolitical conflicts.
Cons of OSIT: Disadvantages and Limitations of Open Source Intelligence
1. Data Overload and Accuracy Issues
However, because OSINT relies on publicly available sources, it often generates large amounts of data and information. Analyzing these can be time-consuming. Distinguishing between reliable and unreliable sources can be difficult. False positives and misleading data can lead to incorrect assessments. This is one of the main disadvantages of Open Source Intelligence.
A prime example of the aforementioned happened in the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Analysts who were evaluating open sources mistakenly identified an innocent person as a suspect based on online speculation. This example highlighted the dangers of misinformation and the necessity for proper and stricter verification processes in OSINT analysis.
2. Risk of Misinformation and Manipulation
Foreign influence campaigns have used social media platforms to spread disinformation. For example, in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, troll farms and fake accounts spread misleading narratives, thus affecting public perception and decision-making. Other countries like Ukraine and The Philippines have experienced the proliferation of disinformation campaigns.
It is worth noting that the widespread availability of OSINT sources makes it susceptible to false information like misinformation and disinformation. Malicious actors can manipulate or spread false data to mislead analysts and the general public. Governments, corporations, and intelligence agencies must carefully verify open-source information before making decisions.
3. Limited Access to Restricted Information
Another limitation of OSINT is that its scope of collection only extends to publicly available sources. It cannot access classified intelligence, private communications, or encrypted databases. This makes it less effective for gathering intelligence on highly sensitive matters. Note that the most valuable data and information are often classified or not readily accessible.
Terrorist organizations and criminal networks often use encrypted messaging platforms to avoid OSINT detection. Law enforcement agencies must rely on additional intelligence-gathering techniques to monitor such activities effectively. Large businesses also safeguard their internal affairs through strict communication protocols and policies to prevent leakages.
4. Potential Ethical and Legal Challenges
Remember that OSINT is considered ethically and legally compliant by default. However, when using publicly available personal data, ethical concerns may arise. It is also worth mentioning that privacy laws differ across different jurisdictions. Some forms of OSINT collection may raise both ethical and legal questions due to privacy issues or intellectual property infringement.
Several artificial intelligence and software companies like Clearview AI and ROSS Intelligence have been involved in lawsuits for scraping billions of content from online sources to create databases or launch a generative AI application. The content in these open sources is free for public consumption but there are still some restrictions as regards how they are consumed.