Before you start your next OSINT online mission, you may want to ask yourself: what tools will I use to accomplish my research goals?

The answers may not be clear until you devise a plan. You can’t decide which tool or tool set you need before you decide where you are going to conduct your research (the surface web, the deep web, the dark web—or a combination of all three), and what you need to accomplish.  

When planning, you may want to consider documenting your mission goals, your deliverables, your timeline, and your budget. How big will your team be? Do you have to use free tools, or do you have a budget for paid ones?

Once the answers become clear and you know where you are conducting your research and how big your team and budget is, it’s time to brainstorm what tools you may need to conduct a successful mission.  

There are so many OSINT tools available online and a myriad of considerations and decisions to make. From web browsers to managed attribution (MA) platforms, free and paid-for solutions, or those that require setting up an account. The number of options can be overwhelming and the choice for tools is expected to only increase as the OSINT market continues to grow.

Choosing the right tool is an important step in planning your online mission. Here are the top five tips to keep in mind as you begin your search.

Top 5 Tips for Selecting OSINT Tools

Below are the top 5 tips for selecting an OSINT tool (or platform). 

Tip #5: Assess the tools’ data collection capabilities. 

Most OSINT missions require you to gather a large amount of data. It’s important to look for a tool that helps you gather information and store data. Assess if the tool can automatically capture screen shots or record video. Depending on the scale of your mission and the size of your team, this can be a real timesaver. Having to stop and take individual screen shots and paste them into another tool can really slow you down.  

Also consider what storage capabilities the tool has. Where will you store the data—within the tool? If so, what type of data export features does the tool have so that you can export your research findings to the right people and places.

Tip #4: Find a tool with the type of search capabilities you need for a successful mission.

Another factor to consider is to look for a tool with search capabilities. Will you be using search engines or web directories? Do you need to run detailed or advanced searches? Make sure that you consider the type of search capabilities the OSINT tool or platform offers.

Tip #3: Integrate with third-party apps.

Depending on your online mission, you may have a large array of proprietary or third-party applications that you need at your fingertips. If so, consider finding a platform that enables you to access these tools from one centralized, secure location. When you are under a tight deadline where every minute counts, opening and closing multiple apps with individual logins or going back and forth between tools can waste precious time.

Tip #2:  Look for a tool that enables you to analyze your data.

When you are selecting an OSINT tool, ask yourself: “After I collect the data, what next? Do I need to export data for reporting?”

If so, look for OSINT tools with data tagging capabilities and other organizational tools. By organizing your data, you can export what you need, how you need it, in a timely fashion. 

Tip #1: How will you manage your attribution safely?

No matter what the scope of your OSINT mission is, whether it’s great or small, your number one priority should always be to conduct your OSINT research safely.

Always prioritize security. No matter which tools or browsers you are using, make sure you are managing your attribution. Are your digital fingerprint and behavioral footprint safe?

Manage how you are perceived online and which location you connect from using an MA platform. Some organizations may claim that having a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is enough to stay safe. This is not always the case.

Whether you decide to purchase an OSINT tool or use open-source ones, consider conducting all your OSINT research from the safety and security of a well-reputed MA platform. That way, you can protect your identity and location, as well as that of your team, your organization, and your online mission all day, every day.

Implementing your Plan with Help

There is a secure platform that you can use for your OSINT research that meets all five of the tips above: Nfusion. Our platform will enable you to: collect data; search safely; integrate with other third- party or proprietary apps; analyze, organize, and tag your data; plus, help you manage your attribution online all in one centralized location.

Learn more about Nfusion and all of the benefits it offers.

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