Pathways OpenSource Intelligence Course
NEXT COURSE STARTING 17TH MARCH 2025 (STC)
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) from both practical and theoretical perspectives. It equips students with a deep understanding of the conceptual, historical, and intellectual foundations of OSINT, alongside the modern tools, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) employed by today's OSINT practitioners.
Are you a veteran looking to transfer your military skills into a rewarding, high-demand career in intelligence, cybersecurity, or corporate security? Kick-start your New Year by signing up to our new course, which begins on January 6th, and is a perfect-fit for ex-military personnel looking to carve out a career in cybersecurity, law enforcement and corporate intelligence.
With 82 percent of businesses globally now relying on OSINT, employers are on the lookout for talented individuals from the military talent pool to fulfil challenging, rewarding and lucrative roles.
SaluteMyJob and Abertay University’s Open-Source Intelligence course is taught by ex-military personnel, and is perfect for veterans looking to get into Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence, Corporate Security and Risk Management and Law Enforcement and National Security fields.
But what is OSINT? Open-Source Intelligence involves gathering and analysing publicly available information to develop insights that inform security, investigative, and operational decisions. It’s about finding valuable information hidden in plain sight across websites, social media, databases, and more and connecting the dots to understand a person, event, or potential threat. It is important as it can be used to identify and understand threats, strengthen defences against cyberattacks and fight cyber criminals.
Why are veterans perfectly suited for OSINT?
Your military experience has equipped you with many skills that align well with OSINT, including strategic analysis, attention to detail, and an understanding of operational security (OPSEC). This course builds on those strengths, providing you with specialised knowledge.
| 1 |
Introduction to OSINT |
- An understanding of what Intelligence is in general, and what open-source intelligence is in particular.
- An initial understanding the nature of OSINT and its strengths and weaknesses compared with other “INT’s”.
- An understanding of the recent history of OSINT.
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| 2 |
Legality and Ethics |
- An understanding of the legal and ethical issues associated with OSINT and OSINT investigations.
- An understanding of how these challenges may be mitigated (if they can be).
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| 3 |
Modern OSINT Tools and Techniques I |
- The development of an understanding of personal security (PERSEC) as well as operational security (OPSEC) and how technology can help facilitate these.
- An understanding of the risks involved to OSINT investigators and analysts and why PERSEC/OPSEC is necessary.
- An understanding of how and why an OSINT environment should be established.
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| 4 |
Modern OSINT Tools and Techniques II |
- Develop and embellish established student understanding of OSINT with practical knowledge concerning tools, techniques and procedures.
- An understanding of what tools are suitable for what applications.
- The initial development of the analytical mindset required for successful OSINT investigations.
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| 5 |
The Dark Web |
- A comprehensive understanding of what the Dark Web is and is not.
- An understanding of how the Dark Web may be accessed.
- An understanding of how the impact which the Dark Web may have on OSINT investigations.
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| 6 |
OSINT and National Security |
- An understanding of how open sources have become increasingly important in ensuring national security in recent years.
- An understanding of how state-level actors approach OSINT and the types of collection methods which they use
- A comprehensive understanding of the value of OSINT in counter terrorism.
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| 7 |
The Future of OSINT |
- An understanding of what the burgeoning trends in OSINT are, and how new technologies may further enable them.
- An understanding of where to obtain engaging, reliable, useful and current news and reporting on the OSINT space.
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| 8 |
Assessment week |
- This week will be a drop in only, so the students have enough time to write their essay’s.
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FAQ’s
How many hours is the course?
150 hours on learning for a 15-credit module over an 8-week course period.
The course will include all pre-recorded lectures to be studied in the learners own time and virtual labs.
Who is it for?
This course is designed for individuals interested in roles that require significant online investigation, such as those in law enforcement, intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, digital forensics, fraud detection, corporate investigations, or research roles within government or private sectors.
How is it assessed and what certifications will I receive?
Students will participate in weekly labs that offer hands-on experience with OSINT tools and techniques, reinforcing the theoretical knowledge covered in lectures. Each week, students will also complete a summative quiz to assess their understanding of the material covered, allowing for continuous progress tracking throughout the course.
In addition to the weekly assessments, students will propose an essay topic by Week 5, selecting a subject area that aligns with their individual interests within OSINT. The final essay of 200 words, submitted in Week 8, will provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to apply both the theoretical and practical components of the course to a comprehensive, investigative analysis.
Successful completion of the module will provide a solid foundation for careers in intelligence analysis, cyber security, law enforcement, and related fields.
Join our online OSINT course and begin building a career that allows you to continue making a difference!
We're delighted to partner with Abertay University, the UK's leading provider of advanced 'Ethical Hacking' courses, and the Scottish Cyber and Fraud Centre to offer a short, tutored and remotely delivered 'OSINT Course'.
This 'pathway to employment' programme is designed to provide members of the Armed Forces community (serving personnel, former members of the Armed Forces, spouses etc) with access to training & certification as a Penetration Tester and, where appropriate, subsequent paid work experience or employment opportunities.
If you're a competent IT user, willing to learn and have an interest in cyber security and gaining new skills, then this is for you. And it's FREE - no need to use up ELC or IRTC grants and no course fees.
We hope to secure funding for our next cohort, but encourage you to register your interest below as spaces are limited.
What is Click Start?
This free, digital course is part of the new nationwide Click Start training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC), a national consortium of industry, educators and outreach providers. Click Start is funded by Nominet, the public benefit company that operates and protects UK Internet infrastructure and uses its funds to support projects that promote digital inclusion.
The programme, which launched in 2023, helps to tackle the UK’s digital skills gap by offering skills and training to more than 26,500 learners across the country who may not have previously had opportunities. 
About Nominet
Nominet is a public benefit company, driven by a commitment to use technology to improve connectivity, security and inclusivity online. For 25 years, Nominet has, developing an expertise in the Domain Name System (DNS) that now underpins sophisticated threat monitoring, detection, prevention, and analytics that is used by governments to mitigate cyber threats. Our social impact programme provides funding, support, and opportunities to help tackle some of the most important digital issues facing young people in the UK today.
About the Institute of Coding
The Institute of Coding (IoC), led by the University of Bath, is a collaborative national consortium of industry, educators and outreach providers that are working together to respond to the UK’s digital skills gap through the delivery of employer-led digital skills education. Through this collaborative approach, IoC partners have created more than 150 new courses that have engaged over 900,000 diverse learners to date.
SaluteMyJob are proud to have partnered with IBM for nearly 10 years to help tackle the UK's digital skills gap.
IBM SkillsBuild is a free education programme focused on underrepresented communities in tech, that helps adult learners, high school, college and university students plus educators, develop valuable new skills and access career opportunities. This global programme includes an online platform that is complemented by customised practical learning experiences delivered in collaboration with a global network of partners. In the UK, SaluteMyJob is an IBM SkillsBuild partner and all SaluteMyJob learners have free access to IBM SkillsBuild.