OSINT for Beginners – Completion Criteria
\r\n\r\nTo be issued a certificate of completion for the OSINT for Beginners workshop, participants must meet the following criteria:
\r\n\r\n1. Pre-course Work
\r\n\r\nParticipants must complete the following tasks prior to attending the workshop:
\r\n\r\nSet up a sock puppet account using a generated identity, a realistic name and profile image, and at least one social media account such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Reddit
\r\n\tCreate an associated email address using Gmail
\r\n\tInstall Google Chrome and the required browser extensions as outlined in the pre-workshop email
\r\n\tEnsure they have access to a VPN or secure browsing method where possible
\r\n\t2. Attendance
\r\n\r\nParticipants must attend the full duration of the in-person session. Late arrivals beyond 15 minutes or early departures may result in ineligibility for a certificate. Roll will be taken at the beginning of the session and monitored throughout.
\r\n\r\n3. Participation
\r\n\r\nActive participation is required throughout the workshop, including:
\r\n\r\nEngaging in all guided exercises such as Google Dorking, username tracking, and social media analysis
\r\n\tTaking part in group discussions and demonstrating understanding of OPSEC, investigative tools, and ethical considerations
\r\n\tCompleting the in-class mini OSINT investigation scenario using the tools and techniques taught
\r\n\t4. Code of Conduct
\r\n\r\nAll participants are expected to behave professionally, respect privacy principles, and adhere to the ethical use of OSINT during all exercises and discussions.
\r\n"},"description":"This 4 hour in-person workshop introduces participants to the foundational skills of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), with a focus on real-world applications for civil, government, and commercial investigations.
\r\n\r\nParticipants will learn to:
\r\n\r\nUnderstand what OSINT is and how it supports investigative work.
\r\n\tApply basic operational security (OPSEC) to protect their identity online.
\r\n\tUse advanced Google search techniques ("Google Dorking") to find hidden information.
\r\n\tInvestigate social media profiles and activity without leaving digital footprints.
\r\n\tTrack and pivot on usernames and aliases across platforms.
\r\n\tBuild and manage sock puppet accounts to conduct covert online research.
\r\n\tUtilise a curated set of browser-based OSINT tools and Chrome extensions for fast, effective investigation.
\r\n\t