OSINT Fundamentals

Course Description:
This comprehensive introduction to Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) equips you with the knowledge, tools, and processes to transform publicly available information into actionable insight. Designed for investigators, analysts, journalists, corporate security professionals, and anyone who needs to gather intelligence ethically, the course walks you through the complete OSINT lifecycle — from planning and legal compliance to data collection, analysis, and reporting.

You’ll learn to identify and use a wide range of OSINT sources, including search engines, public records, social media platforms, and specialized databases. Practical modules cover advanced search techniques, safe and effective use of OSINT tools, social media investigation strategies, and financial data analysis. The course emphasizes legality, ethics, and operational security at every step, ensuring your methods are both defensible and safe.

Through real-world examples, case studies, and hands-on exercises, you’ll practice structuring investigations, validating evidence, and producing clear, professional reports. By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills and mindset to conduct independent OSINT investigations with confidence — and the framework to adapt as laws, platforms, and technologies evolve.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Understand what OSINT is, and how it differs from classified or covert intelligence.

• Navigate privacy laws, terms of service, and ethical boundaries.

• Use industry-standard tools, advanced search operators, and specialized databases.

• Conduct social media investigations with legal and evidentiary safeguards.

• Analyze, validate, and present findings in a professional, defensible format.

• Apply a repeatable investigative framework for any OSINT project.