Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)

Offensive | Defensive

Discover and decrease the threat posed by sensitive information and data that can be accessed through publicly available sources.

Avoid Risk and Make Better Decisions

It can be surprisingly easy for a hacker to gain access to an organisation's network and data by obtaining small pieces of information that are publicly available online. Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) refers to information obtained from publicly available sources for a specific purpose. This can include sources such as the internet (including blogs, social media, websites, government portals, and the deep and dark web), as well as traditional channels like newspapers, television, radio, magazines, books, and academic publications. OSINT can be used for a variety of purposes, such as gaining general knowledge, researching business and public opinions, by cybercrime groups for illegal activities, and by cybersecurity professionals for technical footprinting and cyber defence.

The primary goal of OSINT is to assist organisations in identifying and understanding the potential risks posed by external threats, such as advanced persistent threats (APTs), zero-day vulnerabilities, and exploits. OSINT provides crucial context, such as the identity of attackers, their motivations and capabilities, and indicators of compromise within a system, which allows organisations to make informed decisions about their security.

A survey of dark web data revealed the credentials of 25.9 million accounts belonging to Fortune 1000 businesses and 543 million sensitive employee credentials.

Barrier’s OSINT service employs a comprehensive set of techniques to identify potential risks, vulnerabilities, and weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers. Once identified, our consultants will work with you to prioritise and either isolate or eliminate sensitive data before an attacker can use it. OSINT is a vital aspect of broader penetration testing activities, such as Red Team exercises, and simulates a realistic cybersecurity attack on an organisation's infrastructure, wireless networks, applications, or mobile devices. Using OSINT, we can decrease the threat of seemingly harmless information to your organisation.

 

Barrier’s OSINT Services

Driven by security solutions expertise and enterprise experience

  • Offensive/Active

    We actively collect data using a variety of investigative techniques to identify specific information. Our active data collection methods can be used on an as-needed basis to supplement cyber threat profiles identified through passive data collection tools or to support specific investigations. Some examples of active OSINT collection tools we use include looking up domain and certificate registrations to identify the owners of specific domains and using public malware sandboxes to scan applications.

  • Defensive/Passive

    We gather and consolidate data from various sources into a single location through the passive collection. We gather data from sources such as the internet, social media, and traditional channels. By using machine learning and artificial intelligence, we analyse and prioritise the data, making it easier to identify potential threats. We also set rules to automatically dismiss certain data points that do not align with our specific needs. Passive collection helps organisations achieve more efficient and effective management of threat intelligence.

Barrier’s OSINT Use Cases

  • Penetration Testing

    Conducts a thorough examination of your internet-facing systems to identify and exploit any vulnerabilities that may allow for unauthorised access or data exposure to external sources. This assessment includes identifying systems, identifying and listing vulnerabilities, and attempting to exploit any discovered vulnerabilities.

  • Threat Surface Assessment

    Evaluate your internet-facing systems to identify potential vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches or unauthorised access using publicly available information. This includes identifying systems and assets, enumerating open ports and services, discovering potential vulnerabilities, and simulating exploitation attempts to gauge the level of risk.

  • Understanding the Actor, Tactics and Targets

    Actively gather and analyse data to understand the motives, targets, and attack behaviours of threat actors. Combines data from open sources with internal telemetry, data from the dark web, and other external sources to create a comprehensive understanding of the threat landscape.

  • Enhance Incident Response

    By incorporating OSINT into their incident response process, organisations can improve their overall security posture and reduce the likelihood of successful cyber attacks with improved incident capabilities. This can include using publicly available information to identify potential vulnerabilities, tracking the activities of known threat actors, and gathering information to assist in incident investigations and post-incident analysis.

Barrier’s OSINT Benefits & Advantages

  • Gather a wide range of external data and information to improve cybersecurity posture.

  • Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers.

  • Gain insight into the tactics, techniques, and procedures used by threat actors to better defend against attacks.

  • Identify and track the activities of specific threat actors to take proactive measures and mitigate potential attacks.

  • Monitor the dark web and other underground communities to gain valuable intelligence on new and emerging threats.

  • Identify and track the use of malware and other malicious tools to quickly respond to and mitigate these threats.

  • Uncover information about your infrastructure and systems to identify and address vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.

  • Identify and track the use of stolen credentials and other types of personal information and take steps to protect the affected individuals.

  • Monitor social media and other public platforms to identify and respond to potential social engineering attacks.

Why Barrier

Your Trusted Partner for Cybersecurity

As a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions & services, we are dedicated to protecting the data, reputation, and operations of our clients. Our team of experts holds industry-leading certifications and takes a customer-focused approach to deliver tailored OSINT services that meet the unique needs of your business. Whether you need to prevent cyberattacks, respond to a breach, or develop an incident response plan, we are here to help.

 

●      Expert level understanding of OSINT framework, tools, and techniques.

●      Experience in providing OSINT services in highly regulated environments.

●      Profound understanding of technology, people, culture, and process.

●      Tailored approach for your organisation to assess specific areas of concern.

●      Ability to deliver quick and effective results for your business.

●      Encouraging and promoting strong governance attitudes and behaviours.

●      Advice on best practices, compliance frameworks and standards for local and global regulations.

●      24/7 Technical Support.

Book a free consultation with our OSINT specialist.