OPEN SOURCE INTELLIGENCE (OSINT) AS A STRATEGIC INSTRUMENT FOR ANALYSIS, DECISION-MAKING, AND PUBLIC SECURITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36776/ribsp.v9i23.345Keywords:
intelligence, intelligence analysis, public security, strategic decision-making, OSINTAbstract
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) has emerged as one of the core components of contemporary intelligence activities, particularly in an environment defined by hyperconnectivity, rapid information flows, and the exponential growth of publicly available data. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the foundations, methodologies, and practical applications of OSINT, examining classical intelligence cycle models and comparing them to the Brazilian doctrinal approach. It discusses the categorization of open sources, criteria for assessing informational reliability, and the role of technological tools in producing strategic knowledge. The study highlights the importance of critical analysis, information triangulation, and the cognitive competencies required of intelligence analysts, with special emphasis on the application of OSINT in combating complex crimes such as cultural heritage trafficking. It concludes that OSINT is essential for modernizing intelligence, improving decision-making, and strengthening public security policies.
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