Building your information profile in OSINT is essential. Below are two OSINT oldies for your reading list, oldies but goodies.

Instruction Open Source Intelligence / T.A. Ferguson. – Washington D.C. : Department of the Army, 2010 . – (Department of Defense Instruction ; 3115.2) http://bib.opensourceintelligence.biz/STORAGE/2010.%20USDI%20OSINT%20Instruction.pdf

Twelve page instructions on the use and application of OSINT within the US Department of Defense: policy, responsibilities and prescription of procedures for OSINT operations. With glossary of definitions.

Open source intelligence : a contemporary intelligence lifeline / Gibson, S.D. . – Cranfield : Defence College of Management and Technology , 2007 jul. http://bib.opensourceintelligence.biz/STORAGE/2007.%20OPEN%20SOURCE%20INTELLIGENCE%20a%20contemporary%20intelligence%20lifeline.pdf

PhD Thesis. “This research derives a model of the high order factors describing the operational contribution of open source exploitation to the broader intelligence function: context; utility; cross-check; communication; focus; surge; and analysis. Such a model is useful in three related ways: first, in determining appropriate tasking for the intelligence function as a whole; second, as a basis for optimum intelligence resource allocation; and third, as defining objectives for specifically open source policy and doctrine. Additionally, the research details core capabilities, resources, and political arguments necessary for successful open source exploitation.”

Remember, OSINT is a very broad and general concept that applies to many different areas. That explains why there are so many different definitions and visions. It is up to you to derive what is useful in your own environment.

Happy reading!