Open source intelligence (OSINT) has transformed in recent years, following the explosion of data and the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), effectively hallmarking a new era of security support solutions.
AI-driven OSINT tools excel in collecting and analysing publicly available information from diverse online sources. We’re excited to be at the forefront of this new era, announcing a new feature within our latest version of Signal, Briefer, designed to reduce repetitive tasks for security teams, streamline processes and make hunting out threats faster and easier.
Artificial intelligence and open source, a powerful match
There is a growing demand for solutions that improve efficiency and enable teams to quickly track and research vast data across the web and social media. Top players in the market have been identified as those that can provide expert analysis and interpretation of the data they collect, identifying patterns and trends, and sifting genuine threats from noise.
In addition, while AI and machine learning has been used in security processes for more than a decade, with the rise of generative AI and tools such as ChatGPT, AI has reached a new level of usability of everyday security staff, with clever and widely functional use cases showcasing the power of the technology.
In our digital age, AI models are now able to meet the scale of the open data landscape, so instead of an insurmountable challenge it becomes a goldmine of information to be analysed. As a result, security teams are greatly empowered, and the business and its people benefit from being one step ahead of threats.
Breaking down the role of AI in OSINT, and introducing Briefer
As highlighted by Oxford Internet Institute, “AI can also assist the analysis phase of the OSINT cycle, generating valuable intelligence based on pre-trained models and thus countering the information overload problem faced by intelligence analysts.”
With the help of AI, pages upon pages of public web information can be scoured, as the intelligent solution sifts through mentions, news and opinions to flag potential threats, sharing a selection of alerts with a human team.
In addition, in the case of Signal’s new tool Briefer, reporting becomes simplified and more consistent. The AI algorithm enables teams to select various components for their report, and create it instantly for key stakeholders.
At its core, AI is improving OSINT in three ways. That is, improving data collection, developing data analysis, and generating actionable insights. This includes assisting in the prioritisation of data, correlating relevant information, reviewing raw information, and deriving relevant insights with key tags so human analysts can sift through alerts.
As we are already seeing, emerging technologies, including AI, don’t replace the role of the security team, but have the potential to greatly enhance it, saving time throughout the whole process, from hunting for threats to reporting on potential disturbances.
A new phase of security intelligence
Launching Briefer into Signal’s security solution is an exciting next step for the platform, and it highlights the budding potential of where AI is headed and where it is today.
It also shows how AI-enhanced OSINT can become an integral security resource, not to replace human analysts, but provide a foundation of efficiency and insight so they can focus more time and attention on securing the business and its people.
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