Open Source? 

Overview

🕮 Off the shelf (OTS)

In today's hyper-connected digital world, vast amounts of information are publicly accessible online and offline. This course, "Open Source Awareness" serves as a crucial introduction to the practice of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), focusing on understanding its scope, potential, and inherent responsibilities. It is designed for professionals across various fields who need to be aware of how publicly available information can be leveraged and the critical considerations that govern its use.

Participants will begin by defining OSINT, clarifying what constitutes 'open source' and distinguishing it from covert intelligence methods. The course will then explore the diverse ecosystem of open-source information, covering common sources such as search engines, social media platforms, public government records, news archives, academic publications, mapping services, forums, and other online communities.

The potential applications of OSINT will be discussed, highlighting its value in areas like criminal and corporate investigations, threat intelligence, competitive analysis, reputation management, due diligence checks, fact-checking, and providing situational awareness during events. Real-world examples (appropriately anonymized) may be used to illustrate these applications.

Crucially, a significant portion of the course is dedicated to the responsibilities and risks associated with OSINT. Participants will gain awareness of the relevant legal landscape, including data protection regulations (like GDPR), privacy laws, terms of service agreements for online platforms, and ethical principles concerning necessity, proportionality, and intrusion. The course emphasizes the importance of operating within legal and ethical boundaries at all times.

Furthermore, the critical aspect of Operational Security (OPSEC) will be addressed, making participants aware of their own digital footprint and the risks of inadvertently revealing their identity, affiliation, or research interests while conducting online activities. Basic principles of safe browsing and maintaining anonymity will be introduced conceptually.

Finally, the course touches upon the challenges of information overload and the need for critical evaluation, highlighting issues of data reliability, misinformation, disinformation, and bias inherent in open sources. While not a technical training course, it may briefly mention the types of tools and search techniques available to OSINT practitioners, providing context for the capabilities in this field. The overall goal is to equip participants with the foundational awareness needed to understand OSINT's role and navigate its complexities responsibly within their professional environment.