OSINT or Open-source intelligence is a process of collecting data from published or maybe public source intelligence assists to the penetration testers to recognize security gaps such as data leaks, outdated software, unintended data exposure, open ports, etc. reading this blog may help you understand better the OSINT and its other benefits.

1. What makes OSINT Methodologies
Vital for Penetration Testing?
OSINT, or open-source intelligence, refers to the practice of collecting data from published
or public sources which can be utilized from an intelligence perspective. According to the US
Department of Defense, OSINT is “produced from publicly available information that is
collected, exploited, and disseminated in a timely manner to an appropriate audience for
addressing a specific intelligence requirement.”
In the current world scenario, OSINT operations, be it for IT security professionals, state-
deployed intelligence operatives, or malicious hackers, make use of advantage techniques for
searching through the vast pile of visible data in order to achieve their ultimate goals.
How is OSINT valuable for organizations? In several ways, OSINT functions as the mirror
image for operational security (OPSEC). In simple words, it is the security process using
which organizations safeguard their public data related to themselves and if revealed can
cause serious damage. The Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Market is estimated to
reach USD 11.86 Billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 17.4%
Over the past few years, a lot of IT security departments have tasked themselves with OSINT
operations over their own organizations with the purpose to bolster operational security.
Main Functions of OSINT Tools
As per technology experts, OSINT can be termed vital for keeping a good check on
information chaos. Presently, there are three main functions within OSINT that are fulfilled
by IT operations. For carrying out such actions, you get to access a wide range of OSINT
tools. Most of these tools are capable of performing all three functions, which are mentioned
below.

2. Determine Public-Facing Assets
The most common function of OSINT is supporting IT teams in spotting public-facing assets.
Furthermore, it also includes the mapping of information stored within that might lead to a
possible attack surface. To be clear, they aren’t focused on things like performing penetration
testing or program vulnerabilities. The primary task is to record the type of data someone
could publicly search on or about the company’s assets without depending on hacking
techniques.
Discover Appropriate Information from External Sources
A number of OSINT tools are involved in secondary functions such as looking for relevant
information from sources outside an organization. These external sources include social
media posts or specific domains & locations which are positioned outside a firmly defined
network. This type of function is useful for organizations that have conducted recent
acquisitions to bring in additional IT assets of the company with which they have carried out
the merger.
Assemble Discovered Data into Actionable Form
There are several OSINT tools that are efficient in gathering all the discovered data into
useful & workable intelligence. While conducting an OSINT scan focused on a big
enterprise, you can expect hundreds of thousands of viable results, covering both internal and
external assets. The benefit of joining all that information in a single model and sorting out
crucial problems at the earliest can be quite useful.
OSINT and Penetration Testing
For most penetration testing service providers, OSINT has been the preferred methodology
for carrying out pen-testing. It is analyzed that out of all threat intelligence sub-divisions, the
inclination towards open-source intelligence has made it an extensively used option.
You cannot ignore the advantages reaped by security experts through open-source
intelligence. It ranges from recognizing new vulnerabilities, fixing weaknesses within the
organization’s network, and a lot more. With the presence of OSINT, security professionals
can organize their time & resources for eliminating potential threats.
How Does OSINT Favor Pen-Testing
Methodologies?
A penetration testing methodology is the blend of strategies, procedures, and technologies
that empower testers to carry out successful penetration testing. These methodologies are
prepared keeping in mind the organization’s requirements and the identified weaknesses for
which security needs to be ensured. Some of the main operations within pen-testing
methodologies include:

3.  Internal Testing- This type of testing benefits an organization to examine the amount of
damage a displeased employee can cause
 External Testing– Analyze the visible assets of an organization which covers the company’s
website, email, DNS, and web application
 Targeted Testing- Targeted testing covers the effort put in by both the penetration tester as
well as the cyber-security professional to achieve a real-world response
 Blind Testing– The purpose of this test is to provide the security expert a real-world peek as
to how a real application attack would occur.
 Double-Blind Testing– Under this test, the designated penetration tester stays unaware of the
simulated attack, with no time to support their defenses before the intrusion occurs
The presence of open-source intelligence helps with penetration testing. For instance, security
experts typically examine an organization’s network as well as a system for potential
vulnerabilities which can be targeted by malicious hackers. Open-source intelligence
(OSINT) assists the penetration tester to recognize security gaps such as data leaks, outdated
software, unintended data exposure, open ports, etc.
Other advantages of open-source intelligence include:
Less Demanding Processes
OSINT has a less demanding exploitation process as compared to other technological
intelligence disciplines. Similarly, open-source intelligence accumulates a cooperative
selection of opinions as it effectively deploys an extensive variety of sources.
Protection of Sources
The operation of open-source reporting is capable of defending an intelligence judgment that
is delivered using sensitive information. Such a method is valuable at the time when
policymakers are required to communicate with foreign officials or elaborate policy decisions
without giving up on classified resources.
Historical Storage
With a strong open-source program, you gain the advantage of collecting valuable data for
evaluating global cultures and concluding how these trends change over time. Or else the
large set of data might be impossible to retrieve and process.
Conclusion
The power of open-source intelligence towards the correct implementation of pen testing
cannot be ignored. As mentioned above, the benefit of quickly recognizing security gaps and
vulnerabilities within the system using OSINT is allotted to penetration testing experts. For
the success of a particular pen-testing methodology, OSINT works as an applicable

4. instrument. It is better to stay in touch with a reliable security testing provider for better
clarity associated with OSINT implementation for pen-testing activities. ImpactQA and its
team of skilled professionals are trained in similar technological intelligence which can help
your organization in multiple ways.
If you have a project ready to take the plunge, contact us right away!