OSINT can be described as the method of collecting and analyzing publicly available information to gather information during investigations. In a technologically developing world, more data about people, organizations, and activities get exposed publicly, providing opportunities to gain intelligence without having sophisticated tools or resources.
One of the most prominent OSINT players is OSINT industries alternative, offering human and technical services to help customers with online research and digital investigations.
This is not all, as other companies may be turned to for open-source intelligence gathering apart from OSINT Industries.
Now, can you address free and open source intelligence records and databases, social media analysis, and the scrutinizing capabilities of other companies providing this service?
At the end of this article, you’ll be able to get your OSINT from those other providers or on your own.
The Role of OSINT Industries
OSINT Industries is one of the largest and most well-known open-source intelligence companies. By 2024, they have operations across more than 25 countries with a global employ of over 3,500 analysts.
Their high-quality end tools and structured frameworks for automating their online search and social media monitoring activities were rehashed to include AI-driven algorithms, increasing the efficiency of the generated output by 40%. Revenue for 2023 in OSINT industries search equaled $1.2 billion, which was a plus of 15% from last year.
The services they provide are only some of the things one can do, and there are alternative ways and companies that one may use to perform OSINT collection as well.
Other Companies Involved in OSINT Work
There are approximately one dozen other companies, in addition to OSINT Industries, that provide OSINT framework services and tools. Companies such as Sayari Labs and Anthropic offer technological platforms for open-source online monitoring.
Firms such as Kreatz and Sagrafocus have the capability, with their analysts, to manually scout for indicators in the clear, deep, and dark web.
Sagra Focus recently stated that the intelligence gathered from manual searches alone revealed something remarkable in 95% of their cases in 2023, denoting the efficiency of specialized techniques and frameworks that experts have honed.
Their tools and processes can provide independence of a capability where OSINT is needed without the use of OSINT Industries.
Bonus: Schedule a free consultation with one of our OSINT experts to get customized recommendations for maximizing your open-source collection.
Alternative Methods for Gathering Online Information
Without the use of commercial tools or service providers, there are alternative ways that a person would manually gather open-source intelligence alone. Excerpts that can be accessed are from business filings, real estate documents, and court records.
Social media profiles, blog posts, and information aggregated on forums also provide valuable insights that do not require technological frameworks or sophisticated AI, such as those developed by major OSINT industry companies.
Using Publicly Available Databases and Records
Most public databases can be harnessed for open-source intelligence without any form of specialized tool or service. Government records, business documents, and real estate filings are located on public websites and might contain some clues that aid in analyzing a person or organization.
These records, searched systematically by some of the most basic OSINT techniques, let you build a digital footprint of identities, connections, and asset information.
By 2024, more than 90 percent of U.S. federal agencies have digitized their records, giving access to a record amount of public information.
Analyzing Social Media and Online Forums
Social media and online forums are excellent sources of open-source information for the finance sector.
Since the digital footprints left by investors, financial analysts, and market enthusiasts are public through the use of social media, activity, discussion forums, and message boards, the information obtained is precious as it relates to open-source intelligence.
Browsing profile details, posts, comments, and connections in financial platforms will give insight into trends in the market and investors’ attitudes.
Although OSINT tools, robots, AI, and technical research, specifically in the financial sector, will consume vast quantities of social data on an automatic basis, there is still massive value and context to be gained by manually scrolling through and analyzing social media using basic OSINT techniques.
Analyzing Online News Reports and Blog Posts
Online news reports and blogs are another critical form of open-source information that, if meticulously coordinated using a series of OSINT techniques, analysis can add tremendous depth to financial understanding.
Location-based coverage of economic events, cross-checking of details across many sources, and tracing connections give sound context that the average financial OSINT may need more.
In 2024, blockchain entered the ground for integrating with the source verification of economic news, which is adding a further layer of reliability to finance.
Comparing the Options for the OSINT Collection
While the OSINT industries digital footprint does offer advanced digital platforms and analyst services, the techniques it uses, such as searching for public records, conducting social media searching, and evaluating open reports and commentary, are recognized as viable ways to gather intelligence without the use of proprietary industry tools.
In case you’re wondering how to build an open-source intelligence program, email us today to learn more about how to train your team on the foundational OSINT techniques specifically tailored to your mission.
