The OSINT playbook: Find your weak spots before attackers do

Whatever the reason, we spend vast amounts of time online, tapping into the untold expanse of information, communication and resources. Sometimes, the challenge isn’t finding some data, but knowing what’s relevant, real and worth trusting. Anyone working with information needs to be able to cut through the noise and discern the authenticity of the data, which requires being methodical and deliberate when choosing and using our sources – and having the right tools to expedite the process.

And this is where OSINT comes in. Short for “Open Source Intelligence”, OSINT refers to the gathering and analysis of publicly available data to produce actionable insights. Journalists can use it for investigations and fact-checking. Businesses can rely on it for tracking their reputation or monitor competitors. Researchers can leverage it for their studies. Basically, if you’re trying to make sense of public data, you’re already in OSINT territory. Needless ...