Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is the professional and ethical discipline of collecting, analyzing, and processing information from publicly and legally accessible sources to create actionable intelligence. It is fundamentally important to distinguish what OSINT is from what it is not; it is not hacking, corporate espionage, or any form of unlawful surveillance. Instead, OSINT operates strictly within the public domain, leveraging a vast universe of information that is available to anyone, provided they have the expertise to find, collate, and interpret it. The legality of OSINT practices in Georgia is paramount, governed not by a single "OSINT law," but by the existing legal framework, most critically the Law of Georgia on Personal Data Protection, which dictates the lawful grounds for processing any personal information. The foundation of legitimate OSINT work in Georgia rests on a clear legal framework. Any investigation that involves personal data must have a lawful basis, such as being necessary for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims. Our approach is always anchored in these principles. We utilize data from sources whose public nature is legally established, such as the corporate and property records held by the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR), official publications on the Legislative Herald of Georgia (Matsne), and public court records. By grounding our investigations in these officially sanctioned open sources, we ensure that the intelligence we generate is not only insightful but also legally sound and admissible as evidence under the Civil and Criminal Procedure Codes of Georgia. The scope of "open sources" extends far beyond official registries into the vast digital landscape. This includes analyzing corporate websites, professional networks, news archives, academic journals, and public social media content. The true expertise in OSINT is not merely accessing this data, but in the rigorous methodology applied to it. Our process involves a structured intelligence cycle: first, defining the key legal or business questions; second, conducting a comprehensive and lawful search across multiple sources; third, meticulously verifying and cross-referencing information to ensure its accuracy; and fourth, analyzing the verified data to produce a synthesized intelligence product. This methodical approach transforms a chaotic sea of public information into a clear, coherent, and reliable report. For businesses and legal professionals in Georgia, the practical applications of OSINT are extensive and provide a significant strategic advantage. It is the cornerstone of thorough due diligence, allowing you to vet potential business partners, screen executive hires, or investigate the integrity of a supply chain. In the context of litigation, OSINT is used to uncover facts, identify previously unknown connections between parties, and gather background information that can fortify a legal strategy. It is also a critical tool for intellectual property protection, helping to identify trademark or copyright infringements online. Ultimately, OSINT serves as a powerful instrument for risk management, providing the evidence-based foresight necessary to make confident decisions and protect your interests.
