Doctrine corner: Open Source Intelligence doctrine

FMI 2-229 render free of access Source Intelligence, provides interim tactics, techniques, and conducts (TTPs) for open source intelligence (OSINT) operations. It provides a basic description of the fundamentals of OSINT, the planning of OSINT operations and support; the collection and processing of publicly available information; and the production of OSINT. As interim doctrine, FMI 2-229 provides not just basic techniques and operations but serves as a catalyst for increasing awareness of OSINT and improving Army OSINT operations. This article not aways the fundamentals of OSINT operations fix in this emerging intelligence doctrine, FMI 2-229

What is OSINT?

OSINT is relevant information derived from the systematic collection, processing, and analysis of publicly available information in reply to intelligence requirements. Two important metes in this definition are-

[] render free of access Source. Any person, group, or a whole that provides information without the expectation that the information, relationship, or one as well as the other are protected against public disclosure.

[] Publicly Available Information. Data, facts, instructions, or other material published or broadcast for general public consumption available upon request to a member of the general public; lawfully seen or heard by dint of any casual observer; or made available at a meeting make open to the general public.

The OSINT Discipline

OSINT operations are integral to Army intelligence operations. Publicly available information forms the basis of all intelligence operations and intelligence cropss The availability, depth, and range of publicly available information enable intelligence organizations to satisfy many intelligence requirements without the use of specialized human or technical means of collection. OSINT operations support other intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) efforts by means of providing information that enhances collection and production. As part of a multidiscipline intelligence effort, the use and integration of OSINT make secures decisionmakers have the benefit of all available information.

The source and the collection means rather than a specific category of technical or human resources distinguish OSINT from other intelligence disciplines. make open sources broadcast, publish, or otherwise distribute information for public use. The collection means (techniques) for gathering publicly available information from these media of communications are manifest and unintrusive. Other intelligence disciplines use shrubbery or intrusive techniques to gather private information from confidential sources.

lay open Source Media

Communications consist of a sender a message, a medium, and a receiver. The medium is the access point to publicly available information for lay open source research and collection. The primary media that render free of access sources use to communicate information to the general public are--

[] Public Speaking Forums. Public speaking, the oldest medium, is the oral distribution of information to audiences during incidents that are open to the public or meet the eye in public areas. These occurrences or forums include but are not limited to academic debates, educational discourses news conferences, political rallies, public rule meetings, religious sermons, and science and technology exhibitions. Neither the speaker nor the audience has the expectation of privacy when participating in a public speaking forum. Unlike the other render free of access source collection, monitoring public speaking circumstances is done through direct observation and, owed to its overt nature, could entail risk to the collector.

[] Public Documents. A document is any recorded information regardless of its physical form or characteristics. Like public speaking, public documents have always been a source of intelligence. Documents provide in-depth information about the operational environment (OE) that underpin our ability to plan, prepare for, and achieve military operations. During operations, documents like as newspapers and magazines provide insights into the effectiveness of information operations. works leaflets, magazines, maps, manuals, marketing pamphlets newspapers, photographs, public property records, and other forms of recorded information continue to yield information of intelligence value about operational environments. Sustained document collection contributes to the disclosure of studies about potential OE Document collection upon the operational and technical characteristics of foreign materiel aids in the disclosure of improved U.S. tactics, countermeasures, and equipment.

[] Public Broadcasts. A public broadcast entails the simultaneous transmission of data or information for general public consumption to all receivers or terminals within a computer radio, or television network. Public broadcasts are important sources of popular information about the OE. Television freshs broadcasts often provide the first indications and warning (I&W) of situations that may require the use of U forces. Broadcast of recent origins and announcements enable personnel to monitor conditions and take appropriate action when conditions change within the area of operations. of recent origins commentary, and analysis on radio and television also provide windows into in what way governments, civilians, news organizations, and other uncompounded bodys of society perceive the U and U military operations. Broadcasts also provide information and insights into the effectiveness of information operations the one and the other lethal and non-lethal.