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SIA Global Security

We all know the saying “knowledge is power”—and no one knows the weight of it more than the intelligence community. Learn everything you need to know about intelligence and counterintelligence tradecraft, as well as the practice of open source intelligence (OSINT).

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We all know the saying “knowledge is power”—and no one knows the weight of it more than the intelligence community. Learn everything you need to know about intelligence and counterintelligence tradecraft, as well as the practice of open source intelligence (OSINT).

This is the most exhaustive and very practical course on intelligence, counterintelligence, and OSINT offered by Udemy. The narration is in everyday language that can be easily understood by anyone no matter their educational background. Various people will find this course helpful: intelligence specialists, law enforcement agents, government officials, students pursuing careers related to this topic, and others.

This course discusses a broad range of topics and is divided into 4 sections. You’ll learn about the following:

  • Theories and approaches related to intelligence

  • Sources and methods involved in intelligence tradecraft

  • Ethics as it relates to intelligence work

  • Evolution of the US intelligence community

  • Planning, collecting, and processing involved in intelligence work

  • Classes of intelligence data and categories of intelligence

  • Intelligence dissemination

  • Anticipatory analysis and modeling

  • History of FBI counterintelligence

  • Counterintelligence during the Cold War

  • Counterintelligence in the 21st century

  • Covert action

  • OSINT

  • SOCMINT

  • Maltego

  • And much more.

What’s more, practical simulations are employed to provide firsthand experience in gathering information publicly through the use of several OSINT tools.

By the end of this course, you are expected to become familiar with the various elements, factors, and aspects regarding intelligence and counterintelligence work. To test your understanding of the material, a brief quiz will follow each section, and a comprehensive final exam will also be given at the end of the course.

A 30-day money-back guarantee accompanies this course. This means that if you’re not happy with it, you will get your money back. Have any questions? You can contact SIA’s team 24/7. Just leave a comment in the “Questions and Answers” section, and someone will get back to you ASAP.

Just like how knowledge is power, time is gold. So don’t put off learning about intelligence and counterintelligence work so you can expand your knowledge, advance your career, and protect essential information. Enroll today.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Theories and approaches related to intelligence
  • Sources and methods involved in intelligence tradecraft
  • Ethics as it relates to intelligence work
  • Evolution of the us intelligence community
  • Planning, collecting, and processing involved in intelligence work
  • Classes of intelligence data and categories of intelligence
  • Intelligence dissemination
  • Anticipatory analysis and modeling
  • History of fbi counterintelligence
  • Counterintelligence during the cold war
  • Counterintelligence in the 21st century
  • Covert action
  • Osint
  • Socmint
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

Introduction
Welcome to the Course
Mission Outlined: Theories and Approaches
Quiz 1
Read more
Mission On The Go: Sources and Methods
Quiz 2
Mission Practiced: Ethics
Quiz 3
Mission Evolution: History of the US Intelligence Community
Quiz 4
Mission Execution: Intelligence Functions
Quiz 5
Mission Movement: Planning, Collecting, and Processing
Quiz 6
Mission Synthesis: Analysis and Production
Quiz 7
Mission Transmission: Intelligence Dissemination
Quiz 8
Mission Deconstructed: Anticipatory Analysis and Modeling
Quiz 9
Counter-Intelligence
Overview
Mission Enhanced: FBI Counterintelligence
Quiz 10
Mission Defected: Cold War Counterintelligence
Quiz 11
Mission Reciprocated: 21st Century Counterintelligence
Quiz 12
Mission Disavowed: Covert Action
Quiz 13
Open-Source Intelligence
OSINT 1
OSINT 2
OSINT 3
OSINT 4
OSINT 5
OSINT 6
Conclusion

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Intelligence, Counterintelligence, and OSINT: A Quick Guide with these activities:
Review US History and Civics
Strengthen your understanding of the historical and political context surrounding the US intelligence community.
Browse courses on US History
Show steps
  • Review key events in US history related to national security.
  • Study the structure and function of the US government.
Review 'Intelligence: From Secrets to Policy' by Mark Lowenthal
Gain a deeper understanding of intelligence processes and policy by studying a leading textbook in the field.
Show steps
  • Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and definitions.
  • Reflect on how the concepts relate to the course material.
Practice OSINT Techniques
Reinforce your OSINT skills by practicing with various online tools and techniques.
Show steps
  • Use search engines to find information on a specific topic.
  • Explore social media platforms for relevant data.
  • Utilize specialized OSINT tools to gather and analyze information.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Review 'Counterintelligence Theory and Practice' by Hank Prunckun
Deepen your knowledge of counterintelligence principles and techniques by studying a specialized text.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on key concepts and case studies.
  • Compare and contrast the book's content with the course material.
Write a Blog Post on Intelligence Ethics
Solidify your understanding of ethical considerations in intelligence work by writing a blog post.
Show steps
  • Research ethical dilemmas in intelligence operations.
  • Outline the key points you want to cover in your blog post.
  • Write and edit your blog post, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
OSINT Project: Investigate a Public Figure
Apply your OSINT skills to investigate a public figure and compile a report on your findings.
Show steps
  • Choose a public figure to investigate.
  • Gather information from various open sources.
  • Analyze the data and write a comprehensive report.
Create a Presentation on a Counterintelligence Case Study
Enhance your understanding of counterintelligence by analyzing a real-world case study and presenting your findings.
Show steps
  • Select a counterintelligence case study to analyze.
  • Research the case and gather relevant information.
  • Create a presentation outlining the key events and lessons learned.

Career center

Learners who complete Intelligence, Counterintelligence, and OSINT: A Quick Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Intelligence Analyst
As an intelligence analyst, you would gather and analyze information from various sources to identify threats, trends, and patterns. This course helps build a foundation in the theories and approaches related to intelligence, which is central to the role. You will examine sources and methods involved in intelligence tradecraft. By covering topics like planning, collecting, processing, and disseminating intelligence, this course provides knowledge directly applicable to the duties of an intelligence analyst, helping you to effectively assess and report on critical findings. The lessons on anticipatory analysis and modeling could be invaluable in forecasting future events and risks.
Counterintelligence Officer
A counterintelligence officer works to protect an organization against espionage, sabotage, and other threats. This course provides a broad understanding of counterintelligence principles, enhancing your ability to identify and neutralize potential risks. The course covers the history of FBI counterintelligence, counterintelligence during the Cold War, and counterintelligence in the 21st century. It may be useful to understand covert action, a key aspect of counterintelligence operations. In particular, a counterintelligence officer will find the practical simulations using open source intelligence tools extremely relevant.
Open Source Intelligence Analyst
An open source intelligence analyst specializes in gathering and analyzing information from publicly available sources. This course directly addresses open source intelligence, including practical simulations using various tools. The lessons on SOCMINT, collecting and processing intelligence, and intelligence dissemination are all relevant. Knowing how to ethically gather and synthesize information from public sources is an essential component of this role, and this course supports that endeavor. By the end of the course, an open source intelligence analyst will have enriched their knowledge of data gathering and analysis.
Security Consultant
As a security consultant, you would assess security risks and develop strategies to protect assets and information. The course material on intelligence and counterintelligence provides a framework for understanding potential threats and vulnerabilities. The security consultant would be well-served by the course's teachings on ethics, evolution of the intelligence community, and anticipatory analysis. This course further discusses planning, collection, and processing, enabling the security consultant to craft effective strategies for mitigating organizational security risks. The elements of counterintelligence taught in the course will strengthen the toolkit of any security consultant.
Information Security Analyst
An information security analyst protects an organization's computer systems and networks from cyber threats. The course explores intelligence and counterintelligence tradecraft, which is useful to an information security analyst in understanding how adversaries operate. The course's discussion of OSINT may be useful for gathering threat intelligence. The course also examines classes of intelligence data and categories of intelligence. The information security analyst can also apply the knowledge of ethical considerations in intelligence work to their field.
Intelligence Officer
An intelligence officer is involved in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence information. This course emphasizes the theories and approaches related to intelligence, offering a foundation for understanding the complexities of this work. The intelligence officer will find the sections on sources and methods, as well as intelligence dissemination, particularly useful. By addressing topics such as planning, collecting, and processing intelligence, the course enables an intelligence officer to more effectively manage the intelligence cycle. The officer can also benefit from the course by learning about anticipatory analysis and modeling.
Investigative Journalist
An investigative journalist uncovers and reports on hidden or sensitive information. The course offers a framework for understanding intelligence gathering techniques, which are relevant to investigative reporting. An investigative journalist will find the section on open source intelligence and SOCMINT techniques relevant since these can be useful in their research. The discussions surrounding ethics may be useful for maintaining journalistic integrity and navigating complex situations. An investigative journalist can utilize the skills gained to enhance their ability to uncover and report on important stories.
Fraud Investigator
A fraud investigator investigates allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse. This course touches on intelligence gathering and analysis techniques, which are applicable to fraud investigations. A fraud investigator may find the sections on open source intelligence useful for gathering information on potential fraud schemes. A fraud investigator can utilize the knowledge of ethical considerations in intelligence work to ensure that investigations are conducted fairly and impartially. This course may aid in uncovering and preventing fraudulent activities by providing a framework for understanding intelligence methods.
Political Risk Analyst
A political risk analyst assesses and advises on the political and security risks facing organizations operating in different countries. Discussions within the course may be useful in understanding the evolution of intelligence and counterintelligence. Furthermore, lessons on anticipatory analysis and modeling will inform those exploring political risk. A political risk analyst will find the lessons surrounding the ethics of intelligence work valuable. An analyst can apply the knowledge gained to better assess and mitigate potential risks.
Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst
A cyber threat intelligence analyst identifies and analyzes potential cyber threats to an organization. This course introduces intelligence tradecraft and open source intelligence gathering, both of which are applicable to cyber threat analysis. Cyber threat intelligence analysts may find the sections on intelligence dissemination and anticipatory analysis useful for communicating threat information and predicting future attacks. This course may aid in proactively identifying and mitigating cyber threats by providing a framework for understanding intelligence methods.
Business Intelligence Analyst
A business intelligence analyst analyzes data to identify trends and insights that can help organizations make better decisions. While not directly focused on business intelligence, the course covers intelligence gathering and analysis techniques that could be applicable to this field. A business intelligence analyst may find the sections on data processing and analysis useful for understanding how to extract meaningful information from large datasets. Additionally, lessons on intelligence dissemination may translate to better communicating findings to an organization. This course may provide a helpful foundation for understanding how to gather and analyze information to support decision-making.
Law Enforcement Officer
A law enforcement officer enforces laws and ordinances to protect people and property. This course covers intelligence gathering and analysis techniques, which can be applied to law enforcement investigations. This course discusses the history of FBI counterintelligence. A law enforcement officer may find the sections on open source intelligence and data collection useful for gathering information on criminal activity. Additionally, the discussions of ethics in intelligence work may be useful for ensuring that investigations are conducted fairly and impartially.
Paralegal
A paralegal assists lawyers in preparing for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. This course explores intelligence gathering and analysis techniques, which could be applied to legal research and investigation. A paralegal may find the sections on open source intelligence and data collection useful for gathering information relevant to legal cases. Additionally, the discussions around ethics within the course may be useful for helping the paralegal maintain confidentiality and professionalism. A paralegal may find that the course provides a foundational understanding of information gathering in a different but related field.
Librarian
A librarian helps people find information and resources. The course may be useful because it discusses intelligence gathering and analysis techniques, which can be applied to information retrieval and management. A librarian may find the sections on data collection and analysis helpful for understanding how to organize and disseminate information effectively. Additionally, the discussions of ethics in intelligence work may be useful for ensuring that information is accessed and used responsibly. For a librarian, the knowledge gained may enhance their ability to find and manage information.
Archivist
An archivist appraises, collects, and preserves historical documents and records. This course touches on intelligence gathering and analysis history, which could provide context for understanding the historical significance of certain documents. An archivist may find the sections on data collection and analysis useful for understanding how to organize and preserve historical records effectively. Additionally, lessons on ethics may prove valuable for ensuring that historical documents are accessed and used responsibly. In particular, the history of the US intelligence community may provide useful background.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Intelligence, Counterintelligence, and OSINT: A Quick Guide.
Delves into the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of counterintelligence. It provides a framework for understanding the threats posed by foreign intelligence services. It valuable resource for anyone interested in protecting sensitive information. This book adds more depth to the counterintelligence aspects of the course.

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