Intelligence in the cybersecurity space is the process of gathering information that helps cybersecurity teams stay ahead of their adversaries. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools for cybersecurity are one option for gathering such information. Proprietary intelligence is another.
Given that proprietary intelligence is readily available, security experts need to ask themselves whether OSINT tools for cybersecurity are worth the time and effort. Organizations like DarkOwl would say they are.
DarkOwl is a threat intelligence specialist offering a range of OSINT tools for cybersecurity. They also offer threat actor profiling, SOAR platform integration, and more. From their point of view, OSINT tools fill in many of the gaps left by proprietary intelligence. They are even superior to proprietary intelligence in some ways.
Basic Definitions of Both
The importance of OSINT cybersecurity tools is easier to grasp with a few basic definitions to work with. Let us start with OSINT. Open-source intelligence is information gathered from publicly available sources. Though most of the sources are found on the dark web, the dark web is publicly available to anyone with the right software and knowledge. OSINT gathers information from dark web sources, including:
- Paste sites (home of the data dump)
- Dark web marketplaces.
- Dark web forums and chat rooms.
- Traditional social media.
- Blog posts, dark web new sites, etc.
Again, all of the data gathered from these sources is publicly available. It is not hidden behind paywalls and private accounts. But you need to know where to look and how to look for it. The data does not just magically show up in a security analyst’s inbox.
As for proprietary intelligence, it is information collected by private companies and sold to security teams. In many cases, the companies make use of a combination of human analysts and bots to infiltrate closed organizations. The companies act as dark web private investigators of sorts. They find a way in, get important information, and pass it along to their clients.
OSINT Has Its Advantages
There is a misunderstanding within cybersecurity that OSINT is not as valuable as proprietary intelligence because it is free and publicly available. It is believed that hackers and other malicious actors wouldn’t be so blatant as to publicize their activities. But again, you need to remember that most people do not even know the dark web exists, let alone how to access it.
The fact is that OSINT is quite valuable and a legitimate part of any company’s overall cybersecurity strategy. It offers several important advantages over proprietary intelligence:
- Cost Effectiveness – The biggest and most obvious benefit is cost effectiveness. Companies do not pay for OSINT. They gather it themselves using OSINT tools for cybersecurity developed by companies like DarkOwl.
- Speed and Agility – Public data is data that can be accessed instantly. Companies do not have to wait for their proprietary partners to come up with something. Furthermore, dark web data is often more up to date because it is gathered in real time.
- Data With Context – The OSINT principle goes beyond merely gathering information. It scans the entire dark web as well as key portions of the traditional web in order to provide context. This helps security teams understand the situation better.
- No Lock-In – OSINT is not subject to the same vendor lock-in that comes with proprietary intelligence. Security teams have access to the collective knowledge of like-minded organizations within the global security community.
None of this is to say that proprietary intelligence is inferior. It is not. It just serves a different purpose. The most comprehensive security strategy incorporates both proprietary intelligence and OSINT tools for cybersecurity.
