OSINT with ShadowDragon & Digital Tools For Modern Investigations

The guys cover how OSINT is used in monitoring the unrest in Syria, and the tragic killing of Brian Thompson, United Healthcare’s CEO, on his way to the company’s investor day. Hosted by Nico “Dutch OSINT Guy” Dekens, Director of Intelligence and Collection Innovation, and David Cook, Director of National Security, with guest Jake Robinson, ShadowDragon’s Director of Product.

Jake's Background:
o Jake shared his journey from a U.S. Army intelligence analyst in human intelligence (HUMINT) to the CIA, where he was a targeting officer.
o Discussion of the importance of open-source data in intelligence operations and its evolving use in government.

Geopolitical Insights:
o Syria's current instability, including Bashar al Assad's exile and the rise of groups like Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is discussed as a geopolitical event that has effects around the world.
o OSINT tools can be used to monitor key players and groups for patterns and motivations. Social media platforms, like Telegram, are crucial for real-time intelligence gathering.

Practical Applications of OSINT in the News Last Week:
o Real-world monitoring of geopolitical and domestic incidents, such as the assassination of United Healthcare’s CEO, demonstrates OSINT's role in monitoring real-time events.
o OSINT is used widely for threat assessments for executives and principles to build a ‘threat profile’ or ‘threat matrix’ that can define or identify security vulnerabilities to fix.
o The team emphasized balancing public exposure with security for high-profile individuals and companies is a double-edged sword – the need to be public while simultaneously maintaining safety.

Challenges in Verification:
o Issues of misinformation and false data, particularly in high-profile cases (e.g., fake accounts of suspects), highlight the need for robust validation processes in OSINT.

Tools and Techniques:
o Shadow Dragon’s tools, like Horizon, are designed for real-time monitoring, metadata analysis, and creating timelines to distinguish credible information from noise.
Key Takeaway:
OSINT is invaluable in today’s world. More data and information are public every day – use it to enhance security, monitor geopolitical events, and mitigate corporate risk. OSINT’s effectiveness depends on timely collection, thorough validation, and cautious interpretation.

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Special Guest: Jake Robinson.

In this episode, hosts Nico ‘Dutch OSINT Guy’ Dekens and David Cook welcome special guest Jackie Giunta, a corporate intelligence expert with a military intelligence background. Together, they dive deep into the complex intersection of national security, biotechnology, and corporate intelligence. They discuss the rising challenges, and opportunities, in open-source intelligence, the potential risks in global biotech supply chains, insider threats, and the growing influence of nation-state adversaries. Join us as we explore the importance of private-public partnerships and proactive approaches to safeguarding the biotech industry in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Special Guest: Jackie Giunta.

This episode is all about the intricate process of using OSINT to monitor elections, with a focus on security and disinformation. The conversation explores the challenges faced by analysts as they track social media trends, identify potential threats, and combat myths and false information that can undermine election integrity. They highlight how disinformation campaigns, foreign influence, and deepfakes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it crucial for analysts to stay vigilant. The episode focuses on how local authorities and businesses can prepare for potential unrest surrounding elections and the vital role of monitoring tools in ensuring a smooth and secure process.

Special Guest: Brye Ravettine.

In this episode of the ShadowDragon Podcast (Season 3, Episode 9), Russ Robson, a former Special Operations soldier and author of Unconventional Influence: The Ethical Psyop Manual for Modern Business Warfare, joins the show. Russ shares insights from his fascinating career journey—from a bluegrass drummer and business owner to joining the Army at 34 as a combat medic, and eventually becoming a Psyop specialist. He delves into his experiences working with the Colombian army on influence operations and narrative warfare. Russ also discusses the power of storytelling in business, using target audience analysis, and the parallels between psychological operations in the military and the corporate world. This episode offers a deep dive into the layers of identity, culture, and messaging, providing valuable lessons for both military and business strategies.

Don't miss this compelling conversation about unconventional influence and its applications in modern warfare and beyond!

Special Guest: Russ Robson.