Author: Constantín Poindexter

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What is OSINT all about?

OSINT, IMINT, constantin poindexter, carlyle poindexter, masters in intelligence studies, counterintelligence

OSINT is as ancient as written word. I suppose that there were cuniform tablets that were exchanged between Phoenician government functionaries, both public and sensitive that adversaries coveted. The Greeks were particularly good at intelligence. There is a really good book about it written by Frank Santi Russell. It’s super interesting to see what value a first-generation democracy put on information gathering. What is without question is that OSINT is valuable. Wild Bill Donovan said, “Even a regimented press will, again and again, betray their nation’s best interests to a painstaking observer.”

Like the other INTs, there are some definitions that most practitioners have settled on to describe OSINT. Information collected from the “wherever” is generally not intelligence. It is data or simply information. Intelligence is generally an analyzed and polished product that CONTAINS information. The Department of Defense defines OSINT under ¨§931 of Title Nine, “Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is intelligence that is produced from publicly available information and is collected, exploited, and disseminated in a timely manner to an appropriate audience for the purpose of addressing a specific intelligence requirement.” (50 U.S.C.) The Hassan and Hjazi publication which offered this statutory definition verbatim HOWEVER they added what I think are some really important distinctions of what composes OSINT (“components” as Dr. Saar has highlighted.), as follows, “, . . .

*Open-source data
*Open-source information
*Open-source intelligence
*Validated open-source intelligence”

These components are important not only for context and precedence, adhering to the currently accepted intelligence cycle, etc., but also to offer a framework for practitioners of other INTs to identify where to offer input, and from whence to retrieve reliable and timely data, information and/or intelligence for their own purposes.

OSINT has progressed over time, but not in its essential nature. OSINT has essentially existed since cavemen roamed the earth. Ug of the ooga booga tribe probably eavesdropped on conversation between the huti huchi tribesemen to discover where the best mastodon hunting ground was. Obviously, this oversimplifies something that is actually quite sophisticated now, . . . or is it? We now have written word and motions images á la the ubiquitous YouTube, but is observation and pondering (analysis) of those observations really an innovation? My position is that OSINT really hasn’t changed at all. The medium for presentation (or mass dissemination) of information, the sophistication of the sensors that we use to collect information, the volume of collection and the high-speed computer-driven analysis of the information have changed, NOT OSINT.

There are clear advantages to the development and deployment of a rigorous OSINT capability. First and foremost is risk. Passive OSINT presents almost no risk at to either the discovery of the inquiry and the fallout if collection is discovered. Done properly, OSINT projects are discovered by the betrayal of a practitioner. An intelligence manager must consider the likelihood of discovery and the severity of loss due to discovery. OSINT falls low on the risk index. It’s just smart business.

Another big benefit but as the same time, a serious challenge is the volume of data or information. The benefit of volume is generally an increased reliability of product. There are plenty of disinformation operations in the world’o’sphere but in a massive pool of data an enormous effort and resources are required to drown out factual information. Also, a really big pool offers the input of a broad variety of assets or sources. The diversity REALLY helps stabilize analyst’s effort to draw reliable conclusions. The negative of course is how to warehouse and process the huge, HUGE amount of data that an OSINT mission or tasking might produce. This is and will be solved by quantum computing but the OSINT discipline also benefits from the less rigorous processing that a technical INT might require. The Norton piece spoke specifically to the “volume” conundrum along with the vetting challenge. “OSINT is challenging because of its volume and because each piece of information must be verified or “vetted,” often in unique ways.” (Norton, 2011, p. 66)

Among the list of advantages, “shareability” is also important. Not only is dissemination of OSINT product helpful and perhaps imperative among members of the Intelligence Community. It can also be superlatively supportive our allies, the countries with whom we share special liaison or allied service relationships. There is little risk to “sources and methods” with regard to OSINT. The real risk of improper or over-dissemination of OSINT is tipping our hand as to what is important to us AND prejudicing the asset or source, ie., U.S. Adversary: “You are looking at “x”? Oh! You must have some strategic or tactical interest in “x”! We’d better look into shutting off that faucet and since it’s important to YOU, then we’d better figure out a countermeasure.” Russian FIS does this, . . . regularly.

There are some other positive qualities of OSINT, i.e., gives a baseline for understanding the results of more sensitive information collected clandestinely; timeliness, as open sources are often in open competition as to who can “break the story” first; a great enhancement to cultural and ethnic understanding, etc., however the three main attributes above I think are the most valuable and relevant.

I need to give a hat-tip to a crowdsourcing article. The author has offered a neat little diagram to identify it but the author’s statement, “Crowdsourced Intelligence is arguably a separate collection discipline from HUMINT or OSINT collection.” (Stottlemyre, 2015) I feel is prescient. I’m not sure that this fits neatly within the OSINT discipline, most especially if the source is a member of an adversarial government, military or FIS. There are also a lot of wildcards in here, i.e., crowd motivation, crowd identity, or whether it’s really a “crowd” or not. This one merits a deeper look.

Waters, Nick, “Google Maps Is a Better Spy Than James Bond”, Foreign Policy, September 25th, 2018. https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/09/25/google-maps-is-a-better-spy-than-james-bond/#:~:text=In%20the%20words%20of%20William,interests%20to%20a%20painstaking%20observer.%E2%80%9D

Norton, Dr. R.A., “Guide to Open Source Intelligence: A Growing Window into the World”, Journal of Intelligence Studies”, vol. 18, no. 2, Winter/Spring 2011

Stottlemyre, Steven A., “HUMINT, OSINT, or Something New? Defining Crowdsourced Intelligence”, International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, vol. 28, iss. 3, 2015

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Women’s Behavioral Health Expansion

THIS was a great course. Anyone involved with guardianship of a female ward, young or old should take this. The National Guardianship Association offers a plethora of really helpful coursework for professional fiduciaries and other parties that operate as guardians. I highly recommend this segment. It is truly an eye-opener about the challenges and inequities that confront women, and more specifically minority women, with helpful direction on finding resources to help them. Take it! It’s quick and thorough.

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Charitable Love on Thanksgiving

charity, caridad, constantin, constantin poindexter, carlyle poindexter, beneficencia, thanksgiving;

There is no better time than Thanksgiving to remember that reaching out to those less fortunate is a blessing, . . . a blessing to both the receiver and the giver for there is no more pure expression of love than beneficent giving. It doesn’t have to be monetary or tangible, of oneself can be the greatest gift. A wise man believes, “give and make haste of it because the last moment may be upon YOU without you knowing so. Those that give food to the hungry, clothing to the unclothed, mentorship teaching to the less informed are numbered among the blessed.”

As we enter the holiday season it is right and a duty to think of those less fortunate than oneself. Charitable acts live LONG after the giver of charity is gone from this world.

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Bien Agradecido, Querido Dios

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Fulton Oursler, un pastor algo reconocido pasó la mayor parte de su vida recordando a sus feligreses la importancia del “agradecimiento” personal para con el Gran Arquitecto del universo. Cuenta la historia de “Anna”, la criada negra que le cuidó como niño y le proporcionó la lección más importante de su vida. Así contó, . . .

Un día cuando tenía siete u ocho año me encontré en la cocina con Anna, termiando la preparación de una humilde cena.  Al sentarse a la mesa dijo ella, “Bien agradecida, mi querido Dios por mis viandas.” A tal cual respodió el niño, “¿Anna, qué es una “vianda”?” Ella explicó que vianda era lo que tenía para comer y beber. El niño, siendo niño dijo, “Pero, usted tendrá de qué comer y beber si a Dios le diera las gracias o no.” Anna, vió la oportunidad para enseñar algo importante al joven.

Dijo Anna, “Usted tiene la razón pero todo sabe mil veces mejor cuando usted es una persona agradecida.” Procedió a contar el sermón de un pastor que le había enseñado a Anna un juego de “agradecimiento”. Se trató de buscar siempre razones para ser un alma agradecido. Contó ella, “Un día fui al mercado para comprar pan para la casa y al pasar por el lado de una tienda de ropa exclusiva noté qué tan lindas eran las blusas.” Respondió el niño, “Pero Anna, usted no tiene recurso para comprar cosas así de caras.” Anna le explicó, “Yo lo sé pero en mi mente, juego muñecas con esas blusas.  Sueño ver a su mamá y su hermana vestidas en cosas de semejante belleza. En esos momentos  le digo, “Muy agradecida, mi querido Dios, por jugar lindo en la mente de esta vieja.” Continuó Anna, “Como el otro día al volver de compras una fuerte lluvia me cayó encima. Había escuchado de las duchas de los baños modernos, y hasta les he visto a usted y su hermana en la suya. Pensé, ‘ahora tengo mi PROPIA ducha’ y en ese momento le dije, “Muy agradecida, querido Dios, porque usted me regala un pedazo del cielo cada día.”

Pasaron los años, el niño llegó a ser hombre y la vejez llegó a Anna. Le llamaron un día para decirle que Anna estuvo a punto de la muerte y el joven volvió a su ciudad natal para estar con ella en los últimos momentos. Le vió a ella en cama, sufriendo de dolor insoportable y el joven se preguntó, “¿Me pregunto de qué tenía Anna en aquel momento para estar “agradecida”.

Anna abrió los ojos por última vez, viendo todos sus seres queridos, y los muchachos que ella había criado a todo su alrededor. Cruzó las manos sobre su pecho, sonrió y dijo, “Muy agradecida, mi querido Dios por tan buenos amigos y familia.”

 

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Ode to the Fallen 9/11

Brian Sweeney,  in a voicemail for his wife from United Flight 175, which crashed into the World Trade Center said, “Jules, this is Brian. Listen, I’m on an airplane that’s been hijacked. If things don’t go well, and it’s not looking good, I just want you to know I absolutely love you. I want you to do good, go have good times. Same to my parents and everybody, and I just totally love you, and I’ll see you when you get there,” We remember you. Thank you for being all of us on that day. To you, . . .

Heartbreaking to be perfectly healthy and know that your time has come, . . .

the regrets, . . .

unsaid words,  . . .

unhugged family,  . . .

unmended fences, then, . . .

Will it hurt? Will my kids be ok? Did my life matter at all?

Your bravery, your essentially American way of unifying with your fellows to do the things that must be done,  regardless of the cost, . . . we will remember you, always. “We’ll see you when we get there.”

 

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Posible Avanzar, . . .

“Sólo es posible avanzar cuando se mira lejos. Sólo cabe progresar cuando se piensa en grande.”  ~José Ortega y Gasset

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Vacunarse Es un Acto de Amor

caridad, bondad, vacuna, vacunas, vacunese, COVID, COVID19,

Vacunarse contra el COVID-19 es apropiado, un muestra de bondad hacía el prójimo y un acto de amor. Estamos todos en una guerra colectiva, una guerra que ha ya costado cientos de miles de vidas. Vacunarse es un acto de amor y de solidaridad, cosa la cual nos protege y más importante cuida a los demás. Puede que como joven o persona súper saludable, sobreviviría un contagio pero su usted es portador del virus y contagia a otra persona? Qué tal si esa persona tiene las inmunidades naturales comprometidas, . . . qué tal si esa persona es un ser querido? De verdad desea cargar con la muerte de un familiar en la conciencia?

Según el destacado grupo virólogo de la Mayo Clinic al tratarse de la inmunidad colectiva o “inmunidad de rebaño” en inglés,  “La inmunidad colectiva ocurre cuando una gran parte de la comunidad se vuelve inmune a una enfermedad, haciendo que sea poco probable la trasmisión de persona a persona. Como resultado, toda la comunidad tiene protección — no solo los que sean inmunes. Una vacuna contra el virus que causa la COVID-19 es un acercamiento ideal para lograr la inmunidad colectiva. Las vacunas crean inmunidad sin causar la enfermedad ni resultar en complicaciones. La inmunidad colectiva hace posible proteger a la población de una enfermedad, incluyendo a aquellos que no pueden vacunarse, como los recién nacidos y los que tienen el sistema inmunitario comprometido. Usando el concepto de la inmunidad colectiva, las vacunas han controlado con éxito enfermedades contagiosas mortales como la viruela, la polio, la difteria, la rubéola, y muchas otras.”

No hay excusa para evitar la vacuna. Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, . . . TODAS son excelentes. Efectos secundarios nefastas? Mierda es. Según la CDC de los EEUU el día 6 de mayo (2021), se ha repartido más que doscientos cincuenta MILLONES de dosis desde que estalló la pandemia. Hasta ahora no hay muertos saliendo de las tumbas, casos de gente dando luz a bebés con tres ojos ni “control cerebral por el chip 5G de Bill Gates”. Hágalo ya, para usted, para sus seres queridos, para su comunidad.

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Texas Needs Help Desperately, Winter 2021 Crisis

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The State of Texas is near and dear to my heart. This week has seen the arrival of unprecedented suffering of a broad population of Texas. Already overburdened by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the winter inclement weather has left tens of thousands of families without power, running water and many with homes ruined by bursted water lines. There are MANY ways to help. I urge ALL that are economically able to contribute to the relief of our fellow citizens. As most things recently the current disaster has been politicized. It is frankly irrelevant who is to blame. There are people that point fingers, and there are people the fix problems.  I humbly and earnestly plead with you to help. The following are some links to excellent ways to help your fellow citizens.

FOOD BANKS + SNAP BENEFITS

WARMING STATIONS

North Texas Warming Centers

Central Texas Warming Centers

Montgomery County Warming Centers

“We are taught that Faith, Hope, and Charity are our direct link to the Celestial Father above through that “theological ladder” which Jacob, in his vision saw reaching from earth to heaven,  the greatest rung of which is Charity. Our Faith may be lost in sight, Hope ends in fruition, but Charity extends beyond the grave through the boundless realms of eternity.”

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North Carolina and Cannabis Legalization

constantin poindexter, carlyle poindexter, surety one, suretyone.com, cannabis, marijuana

I read with interest a recent report in the News & Observer by Mr. Doran about the Elon University marijuana legalization poll. Legalization of cannabis and cannabinoid products should be a priority for the North Carolina General Assembly among its manifold fiscal, social and justice reform legislative efforts.

Prosecution of marijuana and related offenses has disproportionately affected minorities and the poor. Serious convictions for non-violent offenses that nullify a defendant’s civil rights and effectively disqualify him or her from professional licenses and job opportunities offer no benefit to our community. Statutory oddities such as the possession of rolling paper which carries a more severe penalty than that of possession of marijuana itself are evidence of stupid law making at best, and discrimination at worst. In what system would a prosecutor allow a guilty plea to a weapon possession charge and dismiss the accompanying homicide? Ridiculous. Only sixteen states still enforce a strict prohibition of cannabis, North Carolina among them. A few of these are currently considering decriminalization and/or legalization. From a criminal justice perspective, we are dead wrong on our failure to open a serious legislative debate on cannabis.

Legal use of cannabis for medical purposes should raise no argument whatsoever. Other than the prejudicial effects of inhaling anything that produces smoke, there is no medical evidence that cannabis harms the human body any more than the use or abuse of any substance. In fact, there is a body of evidence that the positive effects of prescribed cannabis to reduce pain and increase appetite far outweigh the negatives, allowing patients to enjoy an improved quality of life without the risk of the dangerous spiral of opiate addiction. The prohibition of cannabis use by individuals with terminal illnesses is absolutely indefensible.

From a social impact perspective, opponents of marijuana legalization often recycle the tired argument that it is a “gateway drug”, that by allowing adult use somehow cannabis consumers will turn into crack, heroin or methamphetamine addicts. Again, evidence does not support that argument. Like any reasonable adult, I am not enthusiastic about my airline pilot, brain surgeon or my children’s school bus driver smoking marijuana then immediately engaging in their occupations but we don’t allow them to do so with alcohol or prescription drugs either. There is an equivalency here. Likewise, justifications of prohibition based on the supposition that marijuana users will engage in actions under the influence that they otherwise would not, or somehow evolve into dastardly delinquents committing crimes to support their habit fall flat.

Fiscally, legalization is a responsible action. I can speak with some authority. Since legalization of cannabis in California under Proposition 215 over a decade ago to date, I have affixed my signature to approximately eight thousand surety bonds required by over a dozen state regulators that guarantee the conduct of those cannabis licensees. Those licensees have become significant revenue generators. In 2019, cannabis sales generated a tax revenue to the State of California in the amount of $629.3 million. Over the lifetime of the program the revenue number is $1.03 billion. Washington as a comparison by population similar to that of North Carolina enjoyed a 2019 tax collection of $395.5 million, $1.33 billion over the life of its cannabis program. The revenue is of course but part of the fiscal picture, as the end of simple possession and paraphernalia prosecutions have saved criminal justice systems countless millions of dollars.

I don’t use cannabis. I’m just not interested but neither am I interested in smoking cigarettes. My choice doesn’t mean that responsible adults should not make their own informed decisions about cannabis use. Legalize it for adults, tax it and penalize irresponsible and illegal cultivation and distribution. Not doing so after consideration of the successful government-regulated cannabis experiments in three-quarters of U.S. states puts North Carolina on the wrong side of history.

~Constantin Poindexter, CEO Surety One, Inc.

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MLK Day, a Moment for Thankfulness

mlk, martin luther king

Today is a special occasion, special because of a man and his universal message of freedom, hope and faith in humankind. This day marks more than the birth date of a man that stood for equal rights for black Americans. It honors the themes of Dr. King’s timeless call for equality among men, a call for America to live up to those ideals expressed by the founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence and a method to reach that goal without violence.

Dr. King believed. Dr. King had faith and reminded us of the fatherhood of God, and the universal brotherhood of man. He declared that a truly free  and just society judges a man by the “content of his character rather than the color of his skin.” Though white supremacists, law enforcement and even the U.S. intelligence community conspired to silence his voice, he persevered. Against all odds, he kept walking and preaching. The fear that must have pervaded folks that joined him in his long walks across the southern part of America, the death and injury inflicted upon him and his followers, the resistance of certain members of white America are and have always been a national disgrace.

I have a dream. I have a dream that the hate will end, that fairness and goodwill between ALL races and ethnicities of America will inevitably prevail.  Thank you, Dr. King.