Open Source Intelligence (OSINT): Issues for Congress

Abstract

Open source information (OSINT) is derived from newspapers, journals, radio and television, and the Internet. Intelligence analysts have long used such information to supplement classified data, but systematically collecting open source information has not been a priority of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). In recent years, given changes in the international environment, there have been calls, from Congress and the 9/11 Commission among others, for a more intense and focused investment in open source collection and analysis. However, some still emphasize that the primary business of intelligence continues to be obtaining and analyzing secrets.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 05, 2007
Accession Number
ADA475067

Entities

People

  • Alfred Cumming
  • Richard A.. Best Jr.

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Congress
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • Information Systems
  • Intelligence (Information Gathering)
  • Intelligence Community (United States)
  • Intelligence Cycle
  • Law
  • National Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Open Source Intelligence
  • Personnel Management
  • Surveillance
  • Terrorists
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Cybersecurity.
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • International Journalism and Media Studies.