OSINT Intel

OSINT Intel#

Finished OSINT intelligence products and the workflow that produces them. Open-source intelligence answers a decision-maker’s question; the intel page is the operator’s view of the finished output side of the discipline, the production cycle, and the targets the discipline serves.

Production cycle#

The standard intelligence cycle applied to OSINT:

  • Direction, the consumer’s question and Priority Intelligence Requirement (PIR).

  • Collection, the sources cataloged in OSINT Sources.

  • Processing, raw to analytically useful form using the kit in OSINT Tools.

  • Analysis, the techniques in OSINT Techniques applied to produce a judgment.

  • Dissemination, the finished product reaches the consumer in a form they can act on.

  • Feedback, the consumer’s reaction shapes the next cycle.

Products#

Finished OSINT products the operator builds for a decision-maker:

Product

Purpose

Spot report

Time-sensitive single observation with minimal analysis.

Intelligence summary (INTSUM)

Periodic round-up of relevant collection and findings.

Intelligence assessment

Analytical judgment on a target, situation, or question.

Target package

Consolidated dossier on a single target for action.

Threat brief

Adversary capability, intent, and likely course of action.

Pattern of life (POL)

Behavioral baseline of a person, facility, or system.

Indications and warning (I&W)

Tripwires that anticipate adversary action.

Long-form analytic paper

Deep examination of a target, doctrine, or issue.

Consumers#

Decision-makers and other consumers OSINT typically supports:

Consumer

Decision space

Command / leadership

Operational direction.

Operators / unit

Direct action on the target.

Plans / J5-equivalent

Long-range planning.

Liaison partners

Allied service or coalition exchange.

Policy makers

Strategic decisions.

References#

Contents