In an increasingly data-rich world, open-source intelligence (OSINT) has become a crucial part of investigative work for investigators, analysts, cybersecurity professionals, journalists, law enforcement, and researchers. Whether you’re tracking down a person of interest, digital footprint, verifying online identities, or conducting threat assessments, having access to the right tools is critical. The OSINT Framework simplifies
OSINT Techniques: Complete List of Expert Tactics for Investigators
Today, vast amounts of publicly accessible information—which is used to produce open-source intelligence (OSINT)—can be leveraged to uncover truths, verify identities, track events, and assess threats. But tapping into this
21 Best OSINT Tools for Advanced Intelligence Gathering
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) has become an essential practice for investigators, analysts and cybersecurity professionals. Whether you’re tracking threat actors, uncovering digital footprints, or monitoring public sentiment, having the right
Just Do… OSINT: A Short Primer On Identifying Counterfeits Online
OSINT analysts at large brands like Nike and Adidas regularly face the challenge of uncovering counterfeit sellers in a rapidly evolving digital environment. Successful brand protection depends on strategic thinking,
The Slow Collapse of Critical Thinking in OSINT due to AI
OSINT used to be a thinking game. Now it’s becoming a trusting game and that should terrify you. I’ve seen it firsthand, analysts running solid investigations, then slowly shifting more
Unmasking the Fentanyl Trade in Illicit Online Marketplaces
Illicit fentanyl continues to ravage communities across North America, with new details emerging on how Chinese money brokers help Mexican drug cartels launder massive profits. Below, we weave together these sources and insights from CACI’s DarkBlue Intelligence Suite and ShadowDragon, illustrating how supply chain, financial flows, and investigative technology converge.
ShadowDragon Launches Multi-Language Suite for Global Investigations
At ShadowDragon, we have always been at the forefront of innovation, ensuring investigators, analysts, and security professionals have the most advanced tools to track adversaries and gather actionable insights. Now,
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT): What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters (+ Tools, Techniques & Use Cases)
Discover the power of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), an essential tool that transforms publicly available data into actionable insights. Learn about its history, methodologies like web scraping and social media monitoring, and the ethical considerations that guide its responsible use.
Navigating Maritime OSINT, Sanctions Compliance, and the Rise of the “Shadow Fleet”
Renowned naval strategist Alfred Mahan referred to maritime trade routes as the “wide common”, signifying an open, ungoverned space. Heavily influenced by Mahan, President Teddy Roosevelt built the ‘Imperial Fleet’
Spotting the Signs: How Social Media and the Dark Web can Reveal Human Trafficking Activity
By: Amanda Blake and David Cook From 2012 to 2022, human trafficking convictions doubled, according to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics. While this most likely indicates an increase in
A Tragic Wake-Up Call for Businesses
Security is critical for businesses as executives face rising cyber and physical threats. Learn how robust measures, OSINT tools, and proactive strategies can mitigate risks, protect sensitive data, and ensure safety in a volatile landscape.
Take a Lesson From James Bond – We Need More Due Diligence in BioTech
Biotechnology’s rapid growth brings both innovation and risks, highlighting the need for due diligence in supply chains to prevent the exploitation of genetic data and the development of tailored bioweapons.
Navigating Election Monitoring: Insights on Security, Disinformation, and Social Media Trends
ShadowDragon’s latest podcast explores election monitoring challenges, including misinformation, security threats, and social media’s role in shaping narratives, with insights from expert analyst Bryeanne Ravettine.
Smart Security: Fighting Financial Fraud with Open Source Intelligence
Financial fraud is rising, with consumers losing over $10 billion in 2023. OSINT solutions help organizations detect threats, analyze patterns, and identify attackers, offering a proactive defense against emerging fraud trends.
How Does OSINT Make It Hard for Cybercriminals to Work?
OSINT leverages publicly available data from the surface, deep, and dark web to detect cyber threats, uncover cybercriminal activities, and enhance proactive defense. It aids in threat intelligence, exposing identities, and supporting law enforcement to disrupt malicious operations.
Understanding the scope and volume of OSINT
Open source intelligence (OSINT) tools allow companies to ethically collect and analyze public data to enhance business operations, security, and risk management while maintaining compliance with privacy regulations.
Peer Pressure and Heightened Emotional States in OSINT Investigations
Peer pressure and heightened emotional states play a critical role in OSINT investigations, driving individuals to reveal sensitive information. By analyzing emotional triggers like anger, fear, and excitement, as well as group dynamics within echo chambers, practitioners can uncover key insights using strategies like the 5W1H method and targeted keyword searches.
Surprising Ways OSINT is Used for Good
Open source intelligence (OSINT) is a powerful tool used for good across various sectors, including combating human trafficking, preventing crime, monitoring elections, ensuring corporate responsibility, protecting consumers, supporting humanitarian aid, and aiding public health and environmental efforts.
How Failing Faster Helps Catch Criminals: Exploring OSINT for Law Enforcement
In law enforcement, the ability to adapt quickly and learn from mistakes is crucial. This concept, often called “failing faster,” is not about accepting failure but about using it as
Unpacking OSINT: The Power of Publicly Available Information
Discover the power of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) for turning publicly available data into actionable insights. From national security to corporate risk management, learn how OSINT tools identify patterns, track threats, and uncover new opportunities while addressing ethical considerations.
The 9 Biggest Challenges of an OSINT Investigation
Conducting OSINT investigations can be challenging, with issues like information overload, data quality verification, technical skills, legal considerations, and misinformation. Overcoming these hurdles requires the right tools, methodologies, and expertise to streamline efforts and ensure actionable insights.
Geolocating Contraband Cell Phones in Prison
It is a federal crime for inmates to possess a cell phone in prison. The reasons are self-evident, but here’s a good example of why: in 2015, 9 inmates were
Navigating the Gray Zone: The Role of Open-Source Intelligence in Modern Conflict
Navigating the evolving gray zone of modern conflict, this post highlights the growing importance of open-source intelligence (OSINT) in addressing global threats, leveraging publicly available data, and adapting to irregular battlefields to protect security and ensure resilience.
The Rising Specter of Terrorism
The specter of terrorism looms large over the upcoming Paris Olympics. A string of arrests and charges surrounding the international event signify the hopeful grand target of would-be terrorists. Against
Introducing ShadowDragon’s Horizon Monitor.
We are excited to announce a game-changing enhancement to our Horizon intelligence platform: Horizon Monitor. This represents a significant leap forward, seamlessly integrating with our existing world-class OSINT link analysis,
ShadowDragon Partners with SynapseAi to Expand Influence in Asia Pacific
Hoover, AL – [26th June] – ShadowDragon™, a provider of ethical open-source intelligence (OSINT), unique datasets and APIs, is pleased to expand its partner ecosystem through a strategic partnership with
The G7, More Russian Sanctions, and a Warning
Nations met in Italy at a tense G7 Summit while the US Treasury levied more sanctions against Russia and Russian entities. The private sector must be vigilant to secondary sanctions
Building Trust in a Security Landscape
Trust drives successful relationships in business and beyond. ShadowDragon builds trust through reliability, transparency, and security. From SOC2 compliance to the US-EU Data Privacy Framework, we ensure robust data protection and ethical practices, fostering strong, lasting partnerships.
OSINT Due Diligence: Enhancing Business Resilience in a Geopolitical Landscape
The need for deeper insights through due diligence is a must as modern businesses evolve with the changing landscape of compliance needs. Invisible lines are being drawn through sovereign borders
Words Matter: Open-Source Intelligence for the Private Sector
The military and intelligence community are run by strict sets of doctrine, authorities, regulations, instructions, directives… the list goes on – this is not the same for the private sector.
Link analysis with OSINT, breach data, and intelligence in one comprehensive investigations toolkit
In a landscape where information is power, the ability to gather, analyze, and act upon open-source intelligence (OSINT) is paramount for organizations across all sectors. Recognizing this need, we have
Bear Hunting: Mitigating Russian Sanctions Risk with OSINT
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the multilateral Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs (REPO) Task Force has immobilized approximately $300 billion worth of Central Bank assets. Russia will
ShadowDragon Wins 2024 Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Award for Excellence in Global Open-Source Intelligence
As a pioneer of open-source intelligence (OSINT) investigation tools dating back to 2009, ShadowDragon is honored by a recent award recognizing us as a transparent and reliable vendor that supports
ShadowDragon Enters Strategic Partnership with Collaboraite and Vestigo to Build Trust in OSINT
Global leaders in open-source intelligence and operational security partner to foster trust in data and technology HOOVER, ALABAMA – March 4, 2024 – ShadowDragon™, a provider of ethical open-source intelligence
The (Un)hidden Threat: Child Grooming on Social Media
Technative generations do not know life without the internet and even my one year old niece knows how to navigate a device. Whilst screen time can be good for learning
ShadowDragon Commentary: Rethinking Open-Source Intelligence for Security in Commercial Settings
Recently, ShadowDragon COO, Jonathan Couch, contributed an article to InfoSecurity Magazine on thepotential for open-source intelligence (OSINT) to bolster security efforts within the private sector. In thispiece, Couch reflects on
Five Years in OSINT: Reflections on Professional Growth in a Fast-Changing Field
Have you ever heard people say, “if you know, you know; and if you don’t, you don’t”? OSINT (open-source intelligence) is kind of like that. You Might Also Enjoy… Cybersecurity
Stopping an Active Shooter with OSINT: How Publicly Available Information Becomes Actionable Intelligence
[First printed in the December 2023 edition of Security Technology] You Might Also Enjoy… What’s in an email address? The 9 Biggest Challenges of an OSINT Investigation Spotting the Signs:
The Significance of AI and ML in OSINT to Human Investigators
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) excel in processing vast amounts of data swiftly. During open-source intelligence (OSINT) investigations, you almost always gather information in overwhelming volumes. AI algorithms
Unleashing the Power of Social Media Analysis Tools in Investigations
[Originally on Kaseware.com] In this fast-paced digital age, utilizing data from social media platforms has become essential for uncovering crucial information in investigations. Digital footprints left by individuals and entities
ShadowDragon Becomes Platinum Sponsor of the OSINT Foundation
[Original announcement from OSINT Foundation] The OSINT Foundation is pleased to announce that ShadowDragon has partnered with us as a Platinum Level Sponsor. The OSINT Foundation is the professional association for OSINT