Open Source Intelligence

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses five intelligence gathering techniques; human, signal, imagery, measurement and signature and open source. The paper focuses on the open source method of acquiring information that, according to many specialists, is one of the best means of obtaining information in today's technological era. The paper looks at its advantages and disadvantages and concludes that this technique should be seen as a complementary source of intelligence and its results should be properly integrated in the general process of decision making.

From the Paper:

"The intelligence communities around the world are each in their turn distinctive systems of information determined by their national objectives and characteristics. However, there are particular elements that represent common practices for the entire secret service community, such as the collection techniques used to acquire information from all types of sources. The evolution of technology and the improvement of the conditions in which the collection of intelligence is done have determined though the preferential use of certain techniques which make the information more available. From this point of view, open source intelligence can be seen as one of the most accessible and useful source of information. Although it has it shortcomings, it is a means of information gathering that is being used more and more by the secret services."

Sample of Sources Used:

• An Intelligence Community Primer. (2007) Accessed 18 August 2007, from http://www.gpoaccess.gov/wmd/pdf/appendix_c_fm.pdf
• Camerun, C. (2004) Open Source Intelligence. Glass beads and complex problems. Accessed 18 August 2007, from http://www.beadgaming.com/2004/08/open-source-intelligence.html
• Camerun. C. (2004) Flinging Open the Doors to Intelligence Gathering. Online Journalism Review. Accessed 18 August 2007, from http://www.ojr.org/ojr/workplace/1097814155.php
• Steele, R, Lowenthal, M. (1998) Open Source Intelligence: Private Sector Capabilities to Support DoD Policy, Acquisitions, and Operations. Defense Daily Network Special Report. Accessed 18 August 2007, from http://www.fas.org/irp/eprint/oss980501.htm

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