OSINT. What does it all mean? What does the definition entail? Where can I learn it? You may have many questions if you’re a fresh and enthusiastic OSINT learner. But don’t worry; we have gathered essential information that will undoubtedly assist you in making your decision.
What is OSINT?
OSINT is an acronym that stands for open-source intelligence (OSINT). Open-source intelligence is defined as “any publicly available information used for intelligence purposes.” Remember that the information you can gather is legally and publicly available on the Internet. OSINT includes the legal information collected through public sources such as reports, books, magazines, newspapers, webinars, etc. For example, using social media to gather information about a specific person. Furthermore, OSINT investigation opens into the dark web, where intense information can be obtained.
Why do people use OSINT?
Professionals employ OSINT for legal research and data collection, as long as it’s for a good purpose. Hackers and illegal attackers are tracked using OSINT in cybersecurity. It is used to detect suspicious activity and protect company data from hackers. Every sector now utilizes OSINT. Examples of applications include:
- Gathering information on a possible lead.
- To study competitors
- Locating hackers
- Identifying vulnerability
- To gather information about criminal cases by law enforcement.
Poor OSINT security is the primary threat to developing businesses and IT workers. Hackers use OSINT to attack their targets. In a nutshell, people and companies should be concerned about the security of OSINT.
Pros and Cons of OSINT
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Legal and low-investment data collection methods with national security standards | Time-consuming procedures |
| OSINT aids in the prevention of breaches and attacks. | Anyone, including analysts, regular people, and hackers, can use it. |
| Prevent crimes and safeguard system data in advance. | |
| Majorly used in ethical hacking. |
The best OSINT Bootcamps in 2022
We’ve done the research and found eight of the greatest boot camps that are beginner-friendly and suitable for beginners, as these bootcamps provide excellent value. Check all OSINT bootcamps here.
The Secrets of OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence)
Location: Online
Price: $45
On Udemy, The Secrets of OSINT is a four-hour course organized into five components. The sections are as follows:
- Going undercover
- Recruiting intelligence sources
- How to make a search engine talk
- How to interrogate social networks
- Loading heavy guns
You will have lifetime access to the course and be certified at the end. The course will teach you OSINT methods and techniques, such as detecting scanners, conducting professional OSINT investigations, tracking an IP to see a person’s information, etc.
This course is suitable for anyone with basic computer skills who are dedicated and enthusiastic about learning. The Secrets of OSINT has a 4.4-star rating, with 2.4K students seeking knowledge from instructor Serhii Nesterenko, a cybersecurity consultant.
OSINT: Fun with Open Source Intelligence
Location: Online
Price: $69 /month
Fun with open-source intelligence can be the most important choice if you want to explore and learn from the ground up to develop your knowledge of OSINT.
This course covers the fundamentals of OSINT, from defining what OSINT is to discussing ethics and grey areas, using tools and software in OSINT investigations, and exposing students to problem-solving scenarios. The course is divided into 22 video components.
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Gathering and Analysis SEC487
Location: America, Europe, Online
Price: US$7,640 USD (Type: On Demand)
SANS offers a leading online course with six days of personal training in OSINT gathering and analysis. The course of study is structured into six units and will take you from the fundamentals to the cutting edge of open-source intelligence. SEC487 covers a wide range of topics, from the principles to the advanced techniques and tools. This course is for anyone with a basic understanding of computers.
In brief, this course will prepare you for operations such as gathering web data, developing OSINT procedures, performing OSINT investigations, mining social media data, and collecting information from the dark web, among others.
Finally, SEC487 provides GIAC certification upon full completion.
Open-source Intelligence Bootcamp: CourseMonster
Location: UK, US, Australia, Online
Price: $4500 (slightly differs based on location)
If you enroll in and complete this boot camp, you should have no trouble finding critical keywords of information on the Internet and dark web. Course Monster offers OSINT Bootcamp and Dark Web Bootcamp, which will delegate skills to gather key intelligence on the web efficiently and effectively.
This boot camp is available in eight countries as live virtual classes. Complete training in the form of 17 modules is provided in four days.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT)
Location: Online
Price: $41
This course is a fantastic choice if you merely want to understand OSINT and acquire the tools and ways to control your necessary information for web presentation. The course is divided into 19 sections and includes around 8 hours of lecture time. This course has a 4.4-star rating on Udemy, with about 7.3k people completing it.
The Complete Social Engineering, Phishing, OSINT & Malware
Location: Online
Price: $45
With over 16K students finishing the course, it is a top-rated course for anyone interested in learning OSINT tools and tactics to delegate ethical hacking abilities.
The emphasis in this course is on ethical hacking and OSINT security. The course is broken into ten sections and covers social engineering terminology and practices.
QA OSINT Bootcamp
Location: United Kingdom, Online
Price: $1979
This premium boot camp offers four days of training, allowing you to delegate time to explore and grasp OSINT tools and techniques. This course is designed for hackers, students, eager OSINT learners, and anyone with a basic understanding of computers.
The course is divided into 20 modules, beginning with Internet basics and ending with advanced applications. While OSINT Bootcamp exercises are approximately 93 in number, they cover every aspect of open-source intelligence. Successful candidates will also receive certificates from this boot camp.
Conclusion:
In this digital age, where automation and robotics rule the world, the need to acquire information is no longer a challenging task. OSINT is primarily used in businesses to collect and protect information such as emails, geolocations, and personal details. However, seeking knowledge in OSINT is essential for everyone, regardless of background. It’s all good until you’re well-versed in fundamental computer knowledge. On the other hand, online or location-based boot camps are gaining prominence in the educational sector. These boot camps will teach you from the ground up and delegate skills.
FAQs
- What’s the best OSINT certification?
GOSI is widely regarded as the best OSINT certification. A GOSI-certified individual is viewed as an expert with a strong understanding of OSINT tools and techniques.
- What is the OSINT course?
The OSINT course will teach you how to acquire information available online from the perspective of an ethical hacker. You’ll also learn about tools and procedures to employ when conducting research. This course also covers OSINT security and how to protect oneself from hackers.
- How do I become an OSINT analyst?
You should practice your OSINT skills and obtain a valid training certificate to become an OSINT analyst. Prepare your resume and cover letter for OSINT analyst positions.
- Is OSINT software free?
OSINT software and tools can be purchased or downloaded for free.
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