Review Article

Current Status and Security Trend of OSINT

Table 1

Information collection method.

OSINTGather intelligence using open information, data, and software.
(i) Open information: information available in everyday life, such as internet, broadcasting, papers, and journals.

HUMINTIntelligence gathered by humans through activities (e.g., spying, undercover operation).
(i) White agent: can collect open information but espionage is not permitted.
(ii) Black agent: steals confidential information (first-class confidential information, high-quality information) in secret.

TECHINTTechnology and information assets are used to gather enemy intelligence.
(i) IMINT: UAV, reconnaissance planes, satellites, etc., are used to gather information.
(ii) SIGINT: signals such as radio waves and radar signals are analyzed to gather information.
(iii) MASINT: devices other than IMINT and SIGINT are used to gather information.