Proactive cybersecurity requires investigating potential threats and the threat actors behind them. There are multiple strategies for doing so, including open-source intelligence (OSINT) investigations. An OSINT investigation utilizes publicly available resources to gather as much data as possible on potential threats and threat actors.
In addition to publicly available resources, OSINT investigators rely on a range of tools to do what they do. By harnessing the right tools and techniques, investigators can uncover valuable information they would otherwise have missed. It could be information that thwarts a serious attack.
OSINT: The Basics
Open-source intelligence is more than just raw data on a computer screen. OSINT provider DarkOwl describes it as a process of collecting, analyzing, and deploying information. Investigative resources can include everything from social media pages to government databases. Investigators will look at news sites, public forums, academic websites, and anywhere else they feel they can find valuable information.
OSINT’s threat-mitigating capabilities lie in its ability to gather intelligence data without having to rely on illegal or clandestine practices. Investigators remain above board while still getting their hands on valuable information. As such, OSINT is a critical tool for investigators and security teams alike.
In addition to being above board, OSINT offers two distinct advantages:
- Cost-Effectiveness – OSINT investigations come with little to no cost above and beyond paying investigators for their time and effort. Investigators aren’t paying for access to private databases or spending on expensive human or signals intelligence.
- Accessibility – Publicly available information is freely accessible by anyone with an internet connection and the knowledge of how and where to look. Even investigators with moderate skills can make significant use of OSINT data.
Various forms of paid intelligence gathering have their place in the larger security space. But when it comes to cost-effective and easily accessible information, OSINT investigations are hard to beat.
Different Tools for Different Purposes
An OSINT investigation is only as good as the tools that support it. Just as private investigators and police detectives draw on a set of tools to do what they do, cybersecurity investigators have a defined set of OSINT tools they rely on.
One of the more common tools is known as Google Dorks. Also known as ‘dork commands’, Google Dorks is essentially a list of operators that can be added to a traditional search query. These operators make it possible to find information that would otherwise never show up in search results.
Here are examples of a few more common OSINT tools:
- Maltego – A link analysis tool for developing relationships between data points.
- SpiderFoot – A tool for automating information gathering.
- Censys – A technology and security-focused search engine.
- Social Searcher – A social media-focused search engine that aggregates large volumes of posts.
Each OSINT tool offers investigators something specific. For example, aggregating social media posts makes it easier for investigators to track things like organization mentions and follower sentiments. By choosing the right tools and analyzing the data they produce, investigators can stay a step ahead of the threat actors they believe are targeting their systems.
OSINT Investigation Challenges
As useful as OSINT is from an investigatory standpoint, it does have its challenges. Data overload is a big one. Other challenges include data accuracy and reliability and privacy concerns. Nonetheless, overcoming said challenges is worth the time and effort when you understand the value of OSINT data and analysis.
OSINT investigations and the tools that power them are helping cybersecurity teams defend against all sorts of threats. Any organization not making use of OSINT is leaving a valuable resource on the table.
