This course introduces the foundational principles, tools, and methodologies of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) as practised today. Participants will learn to collect, analyse, and report on publicly available information from social media, websites, government databases, and the deep web. Practical classroom exercises are integrated throughout the course to ensure that theory is reinforced through real-world application.
The course is designed to develop foundational OSINT tradecraft, workflow, and practical collection capability, with an emphasis on adaptable skills rather than reliance on specific subscription tools. Teaching is structured so that practical exercises follow theoretical instruction, supported by handouts and reference materials. Progression is reinforced through quizzes, weekly tests, and a capstone project that demonstrates participants’ ability to independently apply the full range of techniques covered.
Learning Outcomes:
- Conduct online research and OSINT investigations in varied contexts
- Apply OSINT principles, frameworks, and methodologies
- Deploy effective search techniques and specialised tools
- Perform basic scraping and introductory data engineering tasks
- Evaluate the reliability and credibility of open sources
- Organise, prepare, and visualise data at a basic level
- Practise safe online research and recognise risks in digital environments
- Present OSINT findings clearly and effectively
Introduction to OSINT
- Principles and importance of OSINT
- Overview of OSINT sources and environments
Online Safety
- Safe practices for online research
- Understanding risks in digital environments
Research Techniques
- Effective search methodologies
- Tools to support information collection
Social Media and Online Content
- Collecting information from public platforms
- Identifying misinformation and unreliable content
Working with Data
- Basic data handling and organisation
- Introduction to data visualisation
Capstone Project
- Practical group exercise applying course knowledge and techniques