OSINT Part 1 - The Digital Lens Into Personal Security with Jon Blake
04/28/25 • 37 min
OSINT Part 1 - The Digital Lens Into Personal Security with Jon Blake
In the first part of this podcast, Philip Grindell interviews Jon Blake, a former Metropolitan Police Detective who has become an expert in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).
They discuss:
- Jon's background as a career detective who moved into cyber investigations, worked in covert operations, and eventually became a national internet investigation coordinator before entering the private sector in 2015.
What OSINT is: Open-source intelligence refers to gathering publicly available information and processing it for reliability and assessment. Jon notes that in policing, they've moved away from the term "OSINT" to "triple I" (internet investigation and intelligence).
The difference between the surface web (indexed by search engines), the deep web (content not indexed by search engines, such as commercial databases), and the dark web (accessible only through specific tools like Tor).
The distinction between open source (publicly available information) and closed source (information from private systems).
The importance of treating digital evidence properly, including creating audit trails, capturing evidence methodically, and preserving digital material to maintain its integrity.
How investigators must approach OSINT with the mindset that any information gathered could potentially become evidence, so proper documentation and verification are essential.
The experts emphasise that OSINT is a powerful investigation tool but should be part of a comprehensive approach rather than relied upon exclusively.
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OSINT Part 1 - The Digital Lens Into Personal Security with Jon Blake
In the first part of this podcast, Philip Grindell interviews Jon Blake, a former Metropolitan Police Detective who has become an expert in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).
They discuss:
- Jon's background as a career detective who moved into cyber investigations, worked in covert operations, and eventually became a national internet investigation coordinator before entering the private sector in 2015.
What OSINT is: Open-source intelligence refers to gathering publicly available information and processing it for reliability and assessment. Jon notes that in policing, they've moved away from the term "OSINT" to "triple I" (internet investigation and intelligence).
The difference between the surface web (indexed by search engines), the deep web (content not indexed by search engines, such as commercial databases), and the dark web (accessible only through specific tools like Tor).
The distinction between open source (publicly available information) and closed source (information from private systems).
The importance of treating digital evidence properly, including creating audit trails, capturing evidence methodically, and preserving digital material to maintain its integrity.
How investigators must approach OSINT with the mindset that any information gathered could potentially become evidence, so proper documentation and verification are essential.
The experts emphasise that OSINT is a powerful investigation tool but should be part of a comprehensive approach rather than relied upon exclusively.
Subscribe to 'Defuse News', our weekly update of the week's events on our website.
Follow me on X /Twitter
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Previous Episode
Countering Extremism with Guy Mathias - Part 2
"Countering Extremism with Guy Mathias" – The Defuse Podcast
This two-part podcast features an in-depth conversation between Philip Grindell and Guy Mathias, a renowned security expert with extensive experience countering extremism, particularly in the pharmaceutical and research sectors.
Episode Summary
In this fascinating discussion, Guy Mathias shares insights from his distinguished career addressing extremist threats, particularly from animal rights groups in the UK during the 1980s through the 2000s. The conversation explores the evolution of extremist tactics, sophisticated intelligence gathering methods, and how organizations can prepare for and counter modern extremist threats.
Guy discusses how extremist groups evolved from direct action like arson attacks to more sophisticated operations involving infiltration, data mining, and targeted pressure campaigns. He emphasizes the importance of preparedness, risk assessment, and understanding both direct threats and supply chain vulnerabilities.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Guy's background and entry into security without traditional military/police experience
- The evolution of animal rights extremism in the UK, particularly the SHAC (Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty) campaign
- Sophisticated tactics used by extremist groups including:
- Direct action (arson, liberation of animals)
- Infiltration and insider threats
- Intelligence gathering and targeting
- Supply chain disruption
- How extremist tactics have transferred to other causes and evolved with technology
- The importance of preparedness and risk assessment
- Challenges of screening and vetting employees
- Protecting organizational leadership
- Current and future extremism trends
Notable Quotes:
"The tactics were a local level. They were at a national level. They became an international level tactic." - Guy Mathias
"I would certainly argue that there is a requirement for those of us working in the sector be that security risk or resilience, to be prepared. What does preparedness look like?" - Guy Mathias
Practical Advice for Organizations:
- Develop and maintain a dynamic risk register that is regularly reviewed
- Understand your organization's supply chain vulnerabilities
- Implement thorough pre-employment screening
- Consider ongoing screening for high-risk positions
- Educate leadership about potential threats
- Conduct vulnerability assessments for executives
- Prepare resilience plans for disruptions
The podcast provides valuable historical context and practical security insights for organizations facing potential extremist threats in today's complex environment.
Guy Mathias - https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-mathias-19555673/
Subscribe to 'Defuse News', our weekly update of the week's events on our website.
Follow me on X /Twitter
Connect with me on LinkedIn
The Defuse Podcast: Beyond Security - The Science of Feeling Safer - OSINT Part 1 - The Digital Lens Into Personal Security with Jon Blake
Transcript
Welcome to the Diffuse podcast with host Philip Grindell , CEO and founder of Diffuse , a global threat and intelligence consultancy that blends psychology and intelligence to mitigate threats and risks to prominent people and brands
Speaker 1no-transcript .
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