Key Aspects of Open Source Intelligence Analysis

1.Determine the research topic.

All research work must be carried out around a certain theme, which can be roughly classified into three categories. The first category, task-based research topics, usually has a clear specific target and clear intelligence needs, and the research content and time limit are determined in the form of a contract, which requires a higher level of research. The second category, demand-based research topics, is usually mainly adopted by units and personnel independently engaged in open source intelligence work. There is no clear specific object, but the research topic is determined according to the potential needs of some specific objects. Taking this approach can both show your professionalism and attract the attention of potential specific objects. The third category, interest-based research topics, is usually adopted by people with relevant professional qualities. They can give full play to their professional advantages to choose research topics with potential advantages or great influence.

2.Use information search means.

With the rapid development of the Internet, using the Internet to engage in open source intelligence work has become the mainstream. A large amount of information carried by traditional public publications, TV broadcasts, news media, etc. basically also exists on the Internet. And various websites and social media have also dramatically expanded the amount of open source information contained in the Internet, which has become an inexhaustible database. For units and individuals independently engaged in open source intelligence work, it is a very good thing, but also a challenge. The key lies in how to discover and collect useful information for themselves.

3.Improve the ability of information analysis and processing.

This is an essential skill for independent open source intelligence workers. There are two core issues with open source information: accuracy and timeliness. Although the information on the Internet is mixed, there is also a large amount of real information. For example, government website information, military website information, enterprise website information, college website information, etc. Multi-channel comparison of the same piece of information is usually a more effective way to identify authenticity.

4.Accumulate while researching.

In the process of conducting research on a certain topic, you will actually come into contact with a large amount of information and sources of information (including government and enterprise websites, blogs, personal homepages, etc.). Although the large amount of information browsed at this time may not be related to the source topic, it may still serve the topic of subsequent research.

Then, how do intelligence analysts prepare for investigations?