OSINT: A UNIQUE
NATIONAL-SECURITY ASSET
Did you know that DIA uses Open Source Intelligence to inform many of its highly
regarded reports about key
national-security issues?
Derived exclusively from publicly or commercially available information to address specific intelligence
priorities,
requirements or gaps, OSINT is vital to the agency’s mission –
providing unique value and enabling all other intelligence-collection disciplines. In today’s world,
information is
everywhere, all the time. By focusing our efforts on open source
information of intelligence value, DIA is able to maintain global awareness of breaking events that affect
US interests
at home and abroad. And, we have the right safeguards in place
to protect the privacy and civil liberties of all persons while adhering to all relevant laws and
implementing
guidelines.
OSINT is the premier source of intelligence information for
decision-makers and warfighters.
VISION
Make OSINT the "First Resort" source of intelligence for decision-makers and warfighters.
MISSION
Our Defense Intelligence components execute open source programs and activities to collect, assess,
and report publicly
available information with intelligence value to satisfy national, strategic, operational, and
tactical requirements.
DEFENSE OSINT AT A GLANCE
3 Agencies
5 Armed Services
11 Combatant Commands
5 Partner Nations
STRATEGIC GOALS
01
Enhance decision-maker and warfighter situational
awareness through timely delivery of customized, serialized OSINT
products and data.
02
Maximize the intelligence value of open source
information.
03
Expand the open source aperture internally and
externally.
04
Establish OSINT as a premier intelligence
capability and the foundation for all other disciplines.
05
Synchronize OSINT with all other publicly and
commercially available information (PAI/CAI) activities.
OPEN SOURCE INTELLIGENCE
“Through timely and substantive production, OSINT provides situational awareness and supports decision makers
during
crisis”” said DIA OSINT leader Brad Ahlskog.
“What’s more, we are only scratching the surface of what
can be achieved through the combined efforts of our OSINT
community of professionals.”
PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION (PAI)
Information that has been published or broadcast for public consumption, is available on
request to the public, is
accessible on-line or otherwise to the public, is available to the public by subscription or purchase, could be
seen or
heard by any casual observer, is made available at a meeting open to the public, or is obtained by visiting any
place or
attending any event that is open to the public. Publicly available information includes information generally
available
to persons in a military community even though the military community is not open to the civilian general
public.
— DoD
Manual 5240.01
DEFENSE OPEN SOURCE COUNCIL
(DOSC)
The DOSC shall be the primary governance mechanism for DoD OSINT. It shall serve
as a forum for the coordination and
facilitation of DoD OSINT activities and programs. DOSC shall advise and report to the USD(I&S) on OSINT
issues and
recommend initiatives to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the DoD OSINT programs, activities,
and systems.
— DoD Instruction
3115.12
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE ENTERPRISE
MANAGER (DIEM)
The Director of DIA is the DIEM for OSINT in accordance with DoD Directive
5105.21.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
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What is the Defense Open Source
Council (DOSC)?
As the world’s largest employer, the Department of Defense relies on a highly distributed operating
model that empowers
leaders and managers at what we like to call “the tip of the spear.” The DOSC serves this function
for all of our OSINT
elements, a diverse team of military and civilian officers deployed around the world.
The center of the DOSC symbol reflect the four cardinal directions, North, South, East, and West,
indicative of the
global nature of OSINT. The perimeter is comprised of the official seals of the member
organizations, which includes our
Armed Services, selected Defense Agencies, the Combatant Commands, and the Joint Staff.
The national flags of the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom form the base of
the symbol,
reflecting our international partnership and commitment to operating as one team.
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Strategic Goal 1
In recent years, with the rise in social media, information obtained from open sources is often the
first indicator of a
developing situation, whether a natural disaster, political crisis, or breakout of hostilities.
Our nation’s leaders
turn to OSINT to make sense of what’s occurring and to form a basis for understanding of how the
event affects US
national security interests.
This Strategic Goal reflects a commitment to ensure our customers get the right
information, in the right context, in the most efficient and effective manner of reporting and
information sharing.
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Strategic Goal 2
Not all publicly available information has intelligence value; in fact, too much information can have
negative
consequences, creating what is normally referred to as “information overload.” OSINT professionals
are responsible for
understanding which pieces of information present the most comprehensive understanding of a
particular situation, based
on the intelligence needs of their customers.
This Strategic Goal recognizes need to integrate technology-based
solutions into the open source information process to help OSINT collectors focus their efforts.
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Strategic Goal 3
Technology advancements and social trends continue to shape the universe of publicly available
information. To stay
relevant, OSINT also needs to adapt and evolve.
This could be through development of new collection methods and advanced
technical capabilities, or simply by enriching collaboration with other parts of the intelligence
community or with our
foreign government partners.
This Strategic Goal prioritizes the necessity of maintaining a flexible
and diverse OSINT
enterprise, never reliant on one source of information or operating procedure.
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Strategic Goal 4
At DIA, our workforce is our most important asset, and although OSINT is a technology-based
discipline, our success will
always be proportionate to the overall professionalism of the military and civilian officers that
put it all together.
This Strategic Goal envisions development of a military and civilian OSINT cadre that sets a
foundation for all other
intelligence disciplines, creating synergy and maximizing the effects of our work.
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Strategic Goal 5
Publicly and commercially available information has widespread utility across the government – far
beyond what is used
for intelligence requirements. As open source information becomes more widely available, the
potential for duplication
of effort increases, especially in a large, globally dispersed organization.
This Strategic Goal challenges OSINT to
take a leading role for ensuring open source information is managed efficiently and effectively
across DIA and within
the Department of Defense.