Open Source Intelligence OSINT

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BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT (BLUF): You
must submit your OSINT project NLT the last day of week 7. It is a
combination of a 3-5 page topic development word document and a 10 slide
PPT presentation with detailed note pages.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This
is a passive OSINT collection exercise. Do not actively participate or
interact in any way with the organization or individual in order to gain
intelligence. For example, do not attempt to join a terrorist
organization in order to gain intelligence. Only that which is readily
available to you on the internet or in a library should be pursued. Do
not join a site, engage directly with, or give your information to any
entity in order to produce this project.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE: Do
not rehash a previous assignment from another class. Remember, it is
self-plagiarism to use work from another course for credit in another
class without the permission and guidance of the professor.

PART 1: DEVELOPING YOUR TOPIC/TARGET CHOICE (3-5 Page Word Document):

Consider the following process while developing your topic.

1. Concisely describe and define a problem scenario and/or organization
that could be targeted using Open Source (OSINT) intervention.
2. Explain why you selected this particular organization.
3. Review historical background and pertinent intelligence issues that relate to the organization.
4. Briefly describe how OSINT is likely to offer an effective solution
to the tasked objective of horizon scanning and further open source
collection.

Note(s): (1) Due to security and operationally
sensitivity issues, it is not advised to select or examine one’s own
organization for this assignment, particularly for those students
associated with intelligence organizations. It is left to the student’s
discretion to consider these security implications when selecting a
topic. The following are a few examples of potential subjects that might
be developed into a valid project topic:

  • Who is
    “anonymous”? In your analysis you should consider cost-benefits,
    proximity to the White House or lack thereof, political ambitions
    (probably lack thereof), motivation, previous use of the word lodestar
    or other phrases in the article, and more. For the Op-ed piece that
    appeared in the NYT on 5 SEP 18: See Link at the bottom of this email. Settle this question for us and the world.
  • Government Entities (focus on a specific country/region/group).
  • Terrorist Organizations (see an excellent example attached below).
  • Corporate Entities (focus on a specific business/individual).
  • Organized Crime (focus on a specific organization/individual).
  • Counter-narcotics (focus on a specific area, cartel, and/or drug dealer).
  • Government Contractors (focus on a specific business/individual)

(2)
When developing the topic and researching the organization, one should
consider themselves as being in a position of adequate stature so that
the recommendations and observations made in this project paper will be
considered. Caution should be given so as not to select an entity or
organization that might be too broad in scope (i.e. Chase Bank, or the
company formerly known as Blackwater) in order to provide the focused
examination required of this project. Include peer-reviewed references
that contribute to the substance of the paper, and support the topic
thesis.

PART 2: (10 x slide PPT with note pages). THE PROJECT EXPECTATIONS:

1. It has been determined that over 90% of the raw intelligence data
obtained by professional intelligence organizations is gained through
open source intelligence collection.

2. The intelligence cycle is
formally used by just about every organization in the world to one
degree or another. This includes the Boy Scouts (national office in
Washington, DC developing lobbying efforts.) and world religions, not to
mention the FSB, the FBI, the US Department of Agriculture and so
forth. Intelligence is not, and never has been, a function limited to
military use. Intelligence is a vital force multiplier for every
organization.

3. Open Source collection demands that collector
knows where and how to look. Open Source collection is not limited to
print or electronic sources. It also involves access to any openly
promulgated information.

4. Once you begin collecting raw data,
then determine what your main point of emphasis will be. Assume I am
your boss, or your client. Assume I have assigned you this project: to
learn about organization X. You choose the reason after you gather raw
data since I do not know, nor do you perhaps, what exactly you will be
able to gather in the few weeks assigned to this course. I want you
thinking as an adversary. What information does our organization present
that others can gather to harm us. In researching, don’t forget about
the CEOs and their families, satellite photos, blueprints, activities,
etc. What you find out is information that an adversary can use to their
benefit.

5. Here is the process you should follow:

*identify a target organization you wish to investigate.
*begin collecting raw open source intel data on that target.
*the target may be one of personal or professional interest to you.
*use as many possible open source conduits as possible.
*do not just stick to books or the internet. Search. Use satellite photos, search tax records, etc.
*collect and then organize your data.
*determine your approach to this target based on how much data you have collected.
*analyze your data: what does it tell you?
*compose a PPT briefing (approximately 10 slides) with detailed note
pages directed to me that explains your findings, and that is supported
by your raw data and analysis. Accompany your PPT with a word document
(approximately 3-5 pages double spaced in Chicago format) that covers
the four areas of your topic development listed above.
*upload this PPT briefing and word document to the assignments section by the end of Week 7.

6. Do not
substitute graphic heavy PPT slides in place of detailed analysis and
text in the note pages all in proper Chicago author-date formatting.

7.
An excellent example is attached for your review. This is not to
intimidate, but rather to demonstrate how far one can go with this
project. NOTE: Its format is not the same as above, i.e. the word
document doesn’t follow the target choice format above and the PPT
presentation doesn’t have note pages. You are to follow the formats and
expectations above.

Citation and Reference Style

Students will follow the Chicago Style

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/opinion/trump-white-house-anonymous-resistance.html