With national security and global security matters holding so much attention today, it appears that jobs within these areas are here to stay. That is, the nature of the world today is one where there is an increased need for highly educated, trained, strategic security professionals. One area of strategic security that is particularly in need is in the field of intelligence.
People who work in the intelligence field hold jobs in many government and private organizations. The intelligence tradecraft is one that is highly sought after but one that is difficult to learn. Now, a person can complete their intelligence education and earn an intelligence degree online. Though there are a few online universities that offer the possibility to earn an intelligence degree online, not all emphasize the actual intelligence tradecraft.
Rather, the intelligence education at many universities relates to the historic and academic aspects of intelligence, not tradecraft. Tradecraft involves many things, such as learning recruitment, cover, and open source intelligence. In fact, open source intelligence is one of the most rapidly developing aspects of intelligence but it is not emphasized in all intelligence education programs.
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is deliberately sought after unclassified information used to answer a specific question. OSINT has many advantages and can be used in many ways. OSINT can reduce the need for classified intelligence collection because the sources used for OSINT are, as a rule, open or unclassified. The Internet is a major source of OSINT. Other sources of OSINT include gray literature, subject-matter experts, commercial geospatial information and web-based applications such as Google Earthdirect ground or aerial reconnaissance, and human or technical services.
For data to be considered OSINT it must have undergone a deliberate process of discovery, distillation, and discrimination in order to answer a specific question. As such, OSINT is like other intelligence. It should be noted that OSINT is not merely a matter of economics. Discovering open sources will not necessarily make life easier for those responsible for classified information. Certainly, an economic factor exists but OSINT is valuable in and of itself and can also enhance classified intelligence. Open human sources can work with clandestine HUMINT to validate targets. Open broadcast information can help understand covert SIGINT, and open geospatial information can help broaden the narrow focus of classified IMINT.
OSINT is exceedingly important because of the information age in which we live The Internet has provided a highly accessible means of attaining an extremely broad range of information. The accessibility of information facilitated by the Internet enhances the current trend of high volumes of published information and the collapse of formerly denied areas to bring forth an immense information resource.
OSINT is just one area of the intelligence tradecraft that is vital to national security. Potential students of intelligence seeking to earn their intelligence degree online should consider a university that offers academic programs that include the level of depth and nuance characterized by a course on OSINT. Having this knowledge will enhance the student's value to national security and to potential employers.
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Dan Sommer works for Henley-Putnam University, a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. For more info on Henley-Putnam University, national security, intelligence degree online, call 888-852-8746 or visit us online at http://www.Henley-Putnam.edu
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