ODNI and CIA Release New Open-Source Intelligence Strategy

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have recently released the Intelligence Community (IC) Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Strategy for the years 2024 to 2026.

“The IC OSINT Strategy represents the beginning of a long-term process that will professionalize the OSINT discipline, transform intelligence analysis and production, and create new avenues for partnering with brilliant American innovators and like-minded foreign partners,” says Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence.

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), which refers to intelligence extracted solely from publicly or commercially accessible information to fulfill specific intelligence priorities, requirements, or gaps, is crucial to the mission of the Intelligence Community (IC). It offers distinctive intelligence insights and facilitates all other intelligence-gathering disciplines.

Considering the vast and constantly evolving landscape of open sources, the IC has been endeavoring to update its methods for gathering, generating, and disseminating OSINT. 

The strategic areas of focus include coordinating open-source data acquisition and enhancing sharing, establishing integrated management of open-source collection, fostering innovation in OSINT to introduce new capabilities, and cultivating the next-generation workforce and tradecraft for OSINT.

“To achieve this desired outcome, we must establish a common vision and firm foundation that are consistent with the values of free and open societies. The IC OSINT Strategy represents the beginning of a long-term process that will professionalize the OSINT discipline, transform intelligence analysis and production, and create new avenues for partnering with brilliant American innovators and like-minded foreign partners,” Haines says.