Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Investigations

An open-source investigation uses publicly accessible information to answer questions about people, organisations, assets, and activity — without intrusion, deception, or unlawful access.

Professional OSINT is not about “finding data”.
It is about connecting information, validating it, and understanding what it means in context.

Our open-source investigations are conducted lawfully, discreetly, and with evidential discipline suitable for legal, corporate, and security decision-making.

What an open-source investigation involves

A professional OSINT investigation may include:

• Identity and background research

• Corporate and business linkage analysis

• Asset and location intelligence

• Social media and online behaviour analysis

• Association and network mapping

• Timeline and activity reconstruction

• Public-record and registry research

• Risk and exposure correlation

The emphasis is on accuracy, relevance, and interpretation, not volume.

Common reasons clients commission OSINT investigations

Open-source investigations are typically requested to:

• Support legal disputes or litigation

• Conduct due diligence or background research

• Understand insider or external risk

• Assess credibility, associations, or conflicts

• Inform security, travel, or engagement decisions

• Establish facts prior to escalation or enforcement

If decisions carry financial, legal, or personal consequences, OSINT provides a low-risk, lawful intelligence foundation.

Who this service is designed for

✔ Legal teams and investigators
✔ Corporate security and risk functions
✔ High-net-worth individuals
✔ Journalists and researchers
✔ Organisations requiring defensible intelligence

Not suitable for:

• Casual background checks

• Hobbyist OSINT requests

• Automated data-dump reports

This service prioritises evidence and clarity, not curiosity.

How our open-source investigation process works

Each investigation follows a structured methodology:

• Scoping & objectives

  • What questions need answering

  • Jurisdictional and legal boundaries

  • Reporting requirements

• Lawful collection

  • Publicly accessible sources only

  • No unauthorised access or deception

• Correlation & analysis

  • Linking fragmented data points

  • Timeline and relationship mapping

• Validation

  • Source reliability assessment

  • Cross-referencing and consistency checks

• Reporting

  • Clear findings

  • Evidential confidence

  • Limitations and unknowns

Outputs are written for decision-makers, not analysts.

How this differs from basic OSINT searches

Many “OSINT services” rely on:

• Automated scraping tools

• Single-source findings

• Unverified or outdated data

• Assumptions presented as conclusions

Our investigations focus on:

• Human-led analysis

• Evidential chains

• Context and intent

• What information can realistically be misused

The difference is credibility.

Relationship to other OSINT services

An open-source investigation may follow or lead to:

• An OSINT audit & digital exposure assessment

• Targeted follow-on investigation

• Advisory or risk-mitigation support

• No further action if concerns are resolved

Advice is proportionate and evidence-based.

Related services

You may also want to review:

• OSINT Investigations (service overview)

• OSINT Audit & Digital Exposure Assessment

• Check What’s Exposed About Me

• Counter-Surveillance Sweeps

Discuss an open-source investigation

If you require lawful, evidence-based intelligence to support a decision or assessment, we can discuss scope and suitability confidentially.

Speak directly with a practitioner. We do not use sales teams or call centres.

If you believe this service may be appropriate, contact us directly to discuss your situation confidentially.

Email: enquiries@cyberdec.co.uk