Vetting for Credibility in OSINT

Vetting Publicly Available Information

Publicly available information may contain a great deal of misinformation. One challenge in open-source intelligence (OSINT) is vetting publicly available information so as to determine what is true vs. false. The question is: how does one vet said information? In an age of information overload, it can be difficult to know what’s true and what’s not. With the rise of the internet, anyone can publish anything they want, without having to go through the traditional channels of peer review and editorial oversight. As a result, it's more important than ever to be able to vet publicly available information. When it comes to OSINT, there are a few key things to keep in mind. The thesis is of this paper is: to vet properly, one must consider the source, look for corroborating evidence, and take into account the motive of the publisher of the information.

Outline

I. Introduction

II. Background

a. OSINT

b. Challenge

c. Need

d. Thesis statement

III. Consider the Source

a. If it's coming from a reputable news organization or government website, it's more likely to be accurate than if it's coming from an anonymous blog or social media post.

b. Conduct background checks (Appel, 2014)

IV. Look for Corroborating Evidence

a. If multiple sources are saying the same thing, that's a good sign that it's true. However, if there are conflicting reports, that's a red flag that you should do more research before believing anything.

b. How does the information compare to everything else that is found (McKeown et al., 2014)

V. Consider the Motive

a. If they stand to gain something by spreading false information, that's another reason to be skeptical (Glassman & Kang, 2012)

b. What is the reason for putting this information out there?

VI. Conclusion

a. By being mindful of these factors, one can help ensure that information is being vetted appropriately and effectively.