OSINT 101

The OSINT 101 course is a focused day of live webinar lessons and highly interactive. Instruction includes hands-on exercises and will rapidly cover the curriculum. Each module of the course will be archived here for your on-demand review for the next month.

This introductory course is designed for beginners with little to no experience in OSINT, making it perfect for students, early-career law enforcement, aspiring investigators or journalists, researchers, and anyone curious about the world of open source intelligence. This full-day (8-hour) course provides foundational knowledge and hands-on skills to get you started with OSINT techniques, all in an interactive, engaging format.

What You Will Learn:

    Operational Security for Beginners
Understand the risks of conducting online investigations and the importance of operational security (OPSEC). Learn how to navigate the web without leaving a trail, manage your digital footprint, and use safer alternatives to proxy servers. We’ll also explore how to secure your research and investigative accounts.
    Advanced Search Techniques
Discover how to go beyond basic search queries using advanced search operators. Learn to search specific domains, preferred file types, and even view archived versions of websites. You’ll explore multiple search engines and understand their strengths, weaknesses, and alternatives.
    Finding, Vetting, and Testing Resources
Learn how to identify reliable tools and methodologies for OSINT investigations. Understand the risks associated with various tools, evaluate their reliability, and cross-check results to ensure accuracy. Explore why the creator and distributor of the tool matters and how this affects the quality of information.
    Social Media and Cultural Insights
Gain an understanding of the evolution of social media and its current role in society. Explore key social media platforms (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and more) and their relevance to investigations. Learn about the psychology behind social media behavior and how users share personal information online.