Transforming Intelligence in the Digital Age: Next Generation OSINT

The publication of this paper is timely, as a rise in the prevalence of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and its application by security forces is set against a background of conflict, insecurity, the resurgence of violence in troubled regions across the world and, more recently, the global Coronavirus pandemic.

From a national security perspective, OSINT can enhance the capabilities of security forces, providing access to more actionable intelligence to inform and support decision making, tasking and coordination activities. But, as clearly illustrated in this paper, not all open sources of information are created equal, and today’s intelligence officer must navigate the intentional spread of false information and fake news.

Transforming Intelligence in the Digital Age – Next Generation Open Source Intelligence is required reading for the Defence and Security communities, from which all will emerge with a greater understanding of how OSINT is rapidly shaping contemporary investigations, and, as clearly illustrated by the author, any future developments to gather open sources of information in an increasingly digitalised world will have to be guided by the state’s relationship with its citizenry and the law.