Blush. The video is a TEDx talk I did for TEDxTwenteU in 2025 about open source intelligence that designed and managed since 1990 for the Dutch Defence Intelligence Service for about 23 years. May be have a look? Let me know your thoughts or questions. More on OSINT training: https://www.opensourceintelligence.biz […]
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CIA World Fact Book postponed
The World Factbook (WFB) was a popular reference tool for country studies. First launched in 1962 as a printed, classified reference manual, it described in numbers and short texts, the economies, military, geography, agriculture, industries, society, government, people, memberships, energy, health and much more of all the countries in the world, as well as areas […]
The 3rd prompt principle
In the meantime, AI agents behaviour is remarkbly similar. I use ChatGPT, Perplexity, Copilot and Gemini hoping that the answers from one will augment the answers from the others. Unfortunately, in my personal experience, that is not the case. Not only the answers are often identical, even the syntax grammar and writing style are identical […]
On the difference between OSINT, OSINF, Information, Intelligence
…and how it all gets together Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is a collaborative, integrated research/production METHODOLOGY to CREATE an actionable intelligence product (called OSINT report) resulting from analysis of a representative selection of open source information (OSINF) in order to meet some intelligence requirement that is used to take decisions and start some change. Open […]
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Vague questions in OSINT … and what to do
So I ask OSINT students to solve a modest research assignment any way they see fit. They all listen carefully to me, then turn around to the computer screens and frantically start typing. After a few minutes I call them back to the central table to ask them what exactly they are doing, what is […]
Google secret date search
Google has a few ways of limiting results by date. It used to be just using daterange: which required a Julian date. That has been replaced by before: and after: search operators. These can be used with a more readable data format such as: “border conflict” after:1995-05-02 before:1995-05-0 To limit results to just that time […]
OSINT Bibliography usage tips
The OSINT Bibliography now holds about 150 titles of reports, papers and books on open source intelligence. Most links are to the full text, but in cases of copyright I have linked the title to a purchase or library catalogue card. I have in addition added a How to use section to explain how to […]
How to become an OSINTian
A question I am often asked by enthousiasts is how to explore the fascinating world of OSINT. My own journey spans about 45 years and I am still learning. There is no simple answer, but for OSINT from a strategic security, international relations or forensics viewpoint, the following guidance may provide a good starting points. […]
Future OSINT plan
Future OSINT plans The future of our OSINT range of training programmes looks ever more promising. The OSINT Pathfinder range of training programmes will continue to be offered about four times a year. On top of that, we plan the following: Online training We will offer in the near future a full OSINT training programme […]
OSINT Sources
I am very happy with all OSINT enthousiasts out there, but sometimes enthousiasm may be a little bit misleading. Below is an interesting survey that suggests that open source information is limited to just the Internet, and within that framework just social media, and within that framework just 4 of the most popular once’s (there […]