Open Source Intelligence, or OSINT, refers to the collection and analysis of publicly available information for intelligence purposes. It involves gathering data from sources such as newspapers, government reports, academic papers, social media, and news broadcasts. Hence, unlike classified intelligence, OSINT is derived from open and accessible sources.
Different actors like governments, business organizations, other non-state actors, researchers and knowledge workers across different fields and disciplines, and private individuals use OSINT to monitor trends, assess risks, and make informed decisions. Its importance has increased in the digital age due to the vast amount of information available online.
Origin of OSINT and Current Trends: A Look Into the History of Open Source Intelligence
Pre-Twentieth Century
The concept of gathering intelligence from public sources has existed long before the introduction of open source intelligence as a term and concept. Ancient civilizations, such as the Romans and Chinese, collected information from merchants and travelers who moved across territories and public communications like speeches, inscriptions, and written records.
For example, during the Warring States period in China from 475 BCE to 221 BCE, dynasties put great emphasis on intelligence collection. Officials gathered information from envoys, spies disguised as traders, and even public proclamations. The Chinese also developed more systematic and intentional approaches to intelligence that involved monitoring and analysis.
These early forms of intelligence gathering share striking similarities with modern OSINT or open source intelligence. Specifically, just as contemporary analysts extract valuable insights from news reports, social media, and public records, ancient civilizations leveraged or maximized the use of publicly available information to inform and guide their strategic decisions.
World Wars and Cold War
The structured use of OSINT began in the early 20th century alongside the expansion of modern foreign policy and international relations. For example, during World War I and World War II, governments considered open-source materials like newspapers and radio broadcasts to monitor and analyze enemy propaganda and understand movements and strategies.
It is worth noting that the United Kingdom established the BBC Monitoring Service in 1939 while the United States founded the Foreign Broadcast Information Service in 1941. The prime purpose of these organizations during World War II was to enemy propaganda and public communications to assess enemy strategy, gauge morale, and launch counter-propaganda.
The Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union saw OSINT gaining further importance in the entire intelligence-gathering operations. Western intelligence agencies monitored public speeches, news outlets, and government publications from adversarial nations. This allowed gaining insights into political and military developments without using covert operations.
Impact of the Digital Age
The arrival of the digital age in the 1990s and its further expansion throughout the new millennium marked an important turning point in the history of open source intelligence. The internet provided access to vast amounts of data from online publications, forums, and social media. Companies and government agencies developed tools to automate data collection and analysis.
Furthermore, because the digital age provided an avenue to support creator and collaborative culture, the sources of open-source data and information have expanded. Even governments across the world are now monitoring social media platforms to pinpoint possible threats or track emerging threats to national security, economic interests, and even public health.
It is still worth mentioning that the availability of vast amounts of information and data from a huge population of producers and reproducers has also created complexities in OSINT. A sizeable chunk of open-source materials come from biased sources. The propagation of false information is also challenging the value and trustworthiness of modern open source intelligence.