Comments on: Open Source Intel Use Soars

By: realtimer

realtimer — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:38:37 +0000

Open Source has it’s place, but not in public.
Practitioners need to be aware that it’s use is subject to compromising Intelligence, especially where the Analyst/Exploiter is dependent on ‘cleared’/‘uncleared’ translators! For ‘Starts’!!

By: Clay

Clay — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:34:15 +0000

I worked at a non-FMF Marine Corps unit that had an intelligence section, but no intelligence systems. If it were not for open source information, I would not have had much information to assist in ensuring the Marines’ safety while abroad. I used open source information on a daily basis, from a variety of sources, and was able to evaluate good sources from bad. The services provided by OSC are incredible and their collection of a large amount of open source resources makes it much easier to get good information.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:43:25 +0000

Like all collected “information”, it does not become “intelligence” until it is processed, which includes evaluation of information and evaluation of the sources. I ran a successful African operation which depended heavily on open sources. It does not and cannot mean that you should rely on it absolutely, but it does give you (uncontrolled) sources and agencies “on the ground” where you may not have any. After a while you do get a history on the reliability of each open source.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:43:03 +0000

Anyone remember when we declared freedom of the press in Iraq? We still need to validate sources.