NeedleStack

Meet the new hosts of NeedleStack. Robert Vamosi is a CISSP and award-winning journalist. AJ Nash has two decades of experience in the Intelligence community. Together they will host new episodes of NeedleStack, with an array of amazing guests.

Jacob Lloyd, head of investigations at Animal Welfare Investigations Project, has been putting OSINT skills to use to stop organized animal crime — dogfights, puppy mills, badger baiting and more. Jacob discusses how these crimes are often neglected by law enforcement due to lack of training and are thus dealt with reactively. He explains how to leverage pedigree sites, social media and other onli...

From influence operations and Telegram to using marketing tools for OSINT insights, our guest gives pro tips on OSINT and cyber investigations for professional practitioners. Key takeaways Digital forensics incident response Cyberthreat and OSINT crossover Marketing tools for OSINT

In this episode, we sit down with cyber threat analyst and SANS OSINT instructor, Steven Harris. Steven discusses how Telegram is a must-use channel for investigating the war in Ukraine, and why cyber threat actors are flocking to the app. Key Takeaways SOCMINT from law enforcement to cyber threats Investigating on Telegram Why Telegram allows cyber threat actors a lower barrier to entry

Alex Lozano of Cybergy joins us to discuss how he uses OSINT and social media to protect executive clients, resources for his cyber students at University of Barcelona and the best tools for real-time monitoring. Key takeaways How to use OSINT for executive protection Resources for students and OSINT newbies Tools for real-time monitoring

Language can limit or expand your worldview. That’s important to remember in OSINT where what you’re able to find and analyze can greatly affect the intelligence you build. Skip Schiphorst, OSINT instructor at i-Intelligence, shares his expertise on why even baseline knowledge of a foreign language is important in a world flush with translation services; how foreign language content can counteract...

MJ Banias discusses how one man’s late-night OpSec fail is an OSINTer’s treasure. If that’s too salacious for you, we also talk about how awesome newspaper archives and librarians are. Key takeaways Put yourself in your targets shoes to understand what sites could give you your next selector The sites and services every OSINTer should subscribe to How overcoming a millennial’s worst nightmare coul...

Journalists, academics and NGOs face unprecedented levels of threats in real life and in the digital world. With limited resources, they often lack secure methods to collect OSINT. That’s why a digital investigations platform is being offered pro bono as part of a larger CISA initiative.  Key takeaways New threats in the digital landscape The risks for journalists, NGOs and academics collecti...

An analysts from DarkOwl joins us to discuss dark web research and all its facets. From AI and other trends on the dark web, to operational security, learn how to turn on the light beneath the surface of the internet. Key takeaways AI and other dark web trends Operational security in dark web research How to search an unindexed environment

How can I get in? Steve Stasiukonis knows the power OSINT brings to this crucial pen testing question. From uncovering who to pose as, what to wear and how to forge a badge, OSINT can be the key you need to unlock a client's physical security. Steve also discusses the gold mine OSINT brings to cyber pen tests and what CTI pros need to know before going on the dark web. Key takeaways How OSINT is u...

We go behind the scenes with Jon DiMaggio of Ransomware Diaries. As the chief security strategist at Analyst 1, Jon has conducted in-depth investigations of ransomware groups, including the famed Lockbit gang. He tells us the open-source tactics he uses and how cyber threats can take a mental toll. Key takeaways Tracking the Lockbit story Where OSINT meets ransomware investigations The human eleme...

Bullsh*t Hunting creators Justin Seitz and Some Lawyer share their tips on how OSINT and legal investigation tactics can benefit one another. They talk about their series “The Hunt” as it examines suspicious legal proceedings and possible wrongful convictions. Plus we dive deep into public records requests with tips of how to get the information you need. Key Takeaways How to effectively submit a...

Cybersecurity is rife with technological solutions, but as security researcher John Hammond knows all too well, it’s people that make the difference. Hear how people make or break security intel, both as researchers and threat actors. We’ll talk sock puppets, the role of OSINT for your own OPSEC and intelligence building, cybergang leaders as businessmen and more. Plus we’ll dive into John’s recen...

Do you wish you had more training opportunities or just chances to flex your OSINT skills? We’re hosting a big event this month where we’ll talk ways to level up your tradecraft, training opportunities, take-home tips and more.

There are many paths to OSINT — one of them is through training programs and online resources! Aubrey and Shannon break down what’s available, what’s free (or not) to keep you abreast of how you can gain and further your OSINT skills.

Propublica reporter and author of the Digital Investigations newsletter, Craig Silverman joins the podcast to discuss disinformation trends on social media platforms, elections around the world in 2024 and what journalists and OSINT investigators can learn from each other. Key takeaways OSINT for investigative journalism Disinformation trends on social media Documenting evidence during an investig...

DefCon speaker and host of DoingFedTime on YouTube, Sam Bent joins the podcast to shine light on operational security concerns on the dark web. The reformed darknet marketplace seller shares insights and advice for best practices when investigating on the dark web.  Key takeaways: OPSEC on the dark web The different darknets Linguistic analysis in evidence gathering

Ritu Gill, or @OSINTtechniques as she’s known online, joins the podcast to give tips for social media intelligence gathering. What are the little-known platforms to look at and how do you gather safely? Tune in to hear the tips. Key takeaways Overlooked social media platforms for evidence gathering OPSEC for law enforcement Tips for beginning OSINT practitioners

The chief investigations officer of the National Child Protection Task Force shares the tools and methods he trains law enforcement on, how he protects his mental health in a such a devastating field and the latest platforms and technology to stay on top of. Key takeaways OSINT for child protection The importance of mental health What law enforcement need to know about trafficking

Jessica Smith, president and founder of ClickSafe intelligence and special investigations lead with the National Child Protection Task Force, joins the podcast to dispel misconceptions about child protection. From who is being targeted to where and how, Jessica Smith shares how misinformation about child exploitation can derail investigations, and how OSINT helps pave the way for child protection....

We discuss recent Bellingcat reports on whether AI has the capability to reliably identify AI. The reporter and fellow shares his research on AI for OSINT and the results. Key takeaways Testing AI’s ability to recognize AI art Blending journalism and OSINT at Bellingcat How machine learning should and shouldn’t be used in OSINT

We talk to an OSINT professional about what he learned when he applied his daytime skills to a moonlighting hobby. On YouTube, Gary Ruddell shares 3-minute tips, geolocates scenes from movies and shares the OSINT discipline he learned from the U.K. military with hobbyists and practitioners just starting out. Key takeaways: Applying the intelligence cycle Executive protection with social media Geol...

Producers Aubrey and Shannon review the latest articles and research on using AI in OSINT. Should you consider using AI chatbots in research now or in the future? And if so, how can you do so securely and with verification in mind? Key takeaways AI chatbots aren’t great at OSINT right now, but they might be one day Verification is key You need an access policy

How can researchers keep up with all the changes in the OSINT landscape? From AI to constantly shifting social media platforms, Neil Spencer from LifeRaft gives tips for how to adapt and optimize your OSINT practice. Key takeaways How AI has evolved Massive shifts on social media platforms Threat verification

As analysts assess how AI could improve their workflow, Babel Street is presenting technology that can help border agents better name-match terrorist watchlist to travelers. Declan Trezise, vice president of global solutions engineering, joins the show to discuss how AI can create more seamless borders for agents and innocent travelers. Key Takeaways Digitization and the future of borders Name–mat...