Open-source intelligence (OSINT) fills a unique role within the fields of national security and intelligence gathering, relying on information that is publicly available to deduce what most of us won’t see. By parsing through public domain sources like newspapers, radio, television, social media, and more, OSINT experts can gain valuable geopolitical insights, and better understand the intentions, capabilities, and vulnerabilities of the nation’s adversaries.
Social media and digital technology have transformed this field, exponentially increasing the amount of available data. Meanwhile automation, decentralized data processing, and AI/machine learning (ML) capabilities are transforming what’s possible in terms of analysis scale and speed.
“We're at a really interesting cusp, not only in terms of ML and AI, but also in how we support our partners and clients in the U.S. government by providing them the information they need to make decisions about military and intelligence strategy,” says OSINT expert Mariel Verdi, who supports Booz Allen’s clients in the national security sector.
Mariel has been working at the intersection of technology and intelligence throughout her Booz Allen career. As threats against land and space assets intensify, she shares her story and perspectives on this evolving and increasingly essential field.