OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) Course

**Abertay University is currently delivering the last of its OSINT courses under the current programme, and we are unable to accept new applications.**

Are you a veteran looking to transfer your military skills into a rewarding, high-demand career in intelligence, cybersecurity, or corporate security? Kick-start your New Year by signing up to our new course, which begins on March 17th (STC), and is a perfect-fit for ex-military personnel looking to carve out a career in cybersecurity, law enforcement and corporate intelligence.

With 82 percent of businesses globally now relying on OSINT, employers are on the lookout for talented individuals from the military talent pool to fulfil challenging, rewarding and lucrative roles.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) from both practical and theoretical perspectives. It equips students with a deep understanding of the conceptual, historical, and intellectual foundations of OSINT, alongside the modern tools, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) employed by today’s OSINT practitioners.

APPLICATIONS FOR FEBRUARY 2025 HAVE OFFICIALLY CLOSED

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SaluteMyJob and Abertay University’s Open-Source Intelligence course is taught by ex-military personnel, and is perfect for veterans looking to get into Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence, Corporate Security and Risk Management and Law Enforcement and National Security fields.

But what is OSINT? Open-Source Intelligence involves gathering and analysing publicly available information to develop insights that inform security, investigative, and operational decisions. It’s about finding valuable information hidden in plain sight across websites, social media, databases, and more and connecting the dots to understand a person, event, or potential threat. It is important as it can be used to identify and understand threats, strengthen defences against cyberattacks and fight cyber criminals.

Sign up to our next OSINT course here

Module Breakdown

1. Introduction to OSINT

An understanding of what Intelligence is in general, and what open-source intelligence is in particular.
An initial understanding the nature of OSINT and its strengths and weaknesses compared with other “INT’s”.
An understanding of the recent history of OSINT.

2. Legality and Ethics

An understanding of the legal and ethical issues associated with OSINT and OSINT investigations.
An understanding of how these challenges may be mitigated (if they can be).

3. Modern OSINT Tools and Techniques I

The development of an understanding of personal security (PERSEC) as well as operational security (OPSEC) and how technology can help facilitate these.
An understanding of the risks involved to OSINT investigators and analysts and why PERSEC/OPSEC is necessary.
An understanding of how and why an OSINT environment should be established.

4. Modern OSINT Tools and Techniques II

Develop and embellish established student understanding of OSINT with practical knowledge concerning tools, techniques and procedures.
An understanding of what tools are suitable for what applications.
The initial development of the analytical mindset required for successful OSINT investigations.

5. The Dark Web

A comprehensive understanding of what the Dark Web is and is not.
An understanding of how the Dark Web may be accessed.
An understanding of how the impact which the Dark Web may have on OSINT investigations.

6. OSINT and National Security

An understanding of how open sources have become increasingly important in ensuring national security in recent years.
An understanding of how state-level actors approach OSINT and the types of collection methods which they use.
A comprehensive understanding of the value of OSINT in counter terrorism.

7. The Future of OSINT

An understanding of what the burgeoning trends in OSINT are, and how new technologies may further enable them.
An understanding of where to obtain engaging, reliable, useful and current news and reporting on the OSINT space.