OSINT (Open Source Intelligence)

BrightPlanet is in the unique position of being at the nexus of the government’s growing need for data collection from the Open Source Public Web as part of the War on Terror.  Through the company’s “tuition paid” on IC projects over the past six years, it uniquely understands the requirements and deliverables necessary for providing content for analysis helping fight the U.S.’s War on Terror.

Currently, BrightPlanet is working on the “next” version of a major Open Source Center project.  The OSINT market is rapidly being recognized as vital to intelligence collection and the explicit need is growing exponentially.

A transcript of former CIA Director Michael Hayden’s opening remarks from the September 18th, 2008 DNI Open Source Content is available on-line.  The following are highlights that pertain specifically to how BrightPlanet can bring value to OSINT projects. 

“...the collection, analysis and dissemination of information from open sources is as vital as ever.”

“...we saw the establishment of the Open Source Center as one of the three most important objectives for the ODNI in its first year.  Establishing the National Clandestine Service at CIA and the National Security Branch at FBI were the other two.”

“As the DNI’s strategic plan puts it, quote, “no aspect of collection requires greater consideration or holds more promise than open source information.” Here’s why: Those working in this discipline are at the nexus of two intensely dynamic industries—media and information. Moreover, while the Internet has revolutionized human interaction, there is still much to learn about its impact and the opportunities it presents. Also, the questions our customers ask—policymakers, military commanders and others—demand unique contributions from open source.”

Michael Hayden – CIA Director ‘08

Budgets for the collection of open source data are in place across the breadth of all 16 Intelligence Agencies and all branches of the military.  They budgets represent here are in place…and enormous:                 (http://www.defenselink.mil/comptroller/defbudget/fy2009/fy2009_r1.pdf)