

NeedleStack
Authentic8
NeedleStack co-hosts interview professional open-source researchers who discuss tips, tricks and insights into the practice of digital investigative research. Whether you’re an open-source expert or aficionado, tune in to learn how to hone your skills, improve your craft and protect yourself as you search the surface, deep and dark web.
From Authentic8, creators of Silo for Research. Visit authentic8.com/needlestack to learn more!
From Authentic8, creators of Silo for Research. Visit authentic8.com/needlestack to learn more!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 26, 2023 • 35min
OSINT by day and night
We talk to an OSINT professional about what he learned when he applied his daytime skills to a moonlighting hobby. On YouTube, Gary Ruddell shares 3-minute tips, geolocates scenes from movies and shares the OSINT discipline he learned from the U.K. military with hobbyists and practitioners just starting out.Key takeaways:Applying the intelligence cycleExecutive protection with social mediaGeolocation clues from the shortest frame

Aug 29, 2023 • 20min
How AI is disrupting OSINT for better or worse
Producers Aubrey and Shannon review the latest articles and research on using AI in OSINT. Should you consider using AI chatbots in research now or in the future? And if so, how can you do so securely and with verification in mind?Key takeawaysAI chatbots aren’t great at OSINT right now, but they might be one dayVerification is keyYou need an access policy

Aug 22, 2023 • 29min
Keeping up with AI and social media
How can researchers keep up with all the changes in the OSINT landscape? From AI to constantly shifting social media platforms, Neil Spencer from LifeRaft gives tips for how to adapt and optimize your OSINT practice.Key takeawaysHow AI has evolvedMassive shifts on social media platformsThreat verification

Aug 15, 2023 • 39min
AI-enhanced technology for frictionless borders
As analysts assess how AI could improve their workflow, Babel Street is presenting technology that can help border agents better name-match terrorist watchlist to travelers. Declan Trezise, vice president of global solutions engineering, joins the show to discuss how AI can create more seamless borders for agents and innocent travelers.Key TakeawaysDigitization and the future of bordersName–matching technology for terrorism watchlistsCreating faster, seamless travel for citizens

Aug 3, 2023 • 36min
The ethical use of AI in open-source investigations
Everyone is talking about using AI for OSINT, but what are the ethical considerations before you fire up your first chat? Before you start feeding a machine learning model your data and relying on it’s results, our guest from Fivecast tells us what you should consider.Key takeawaysChatGPT has built-in biases (just like humans)Understand the human toll behind machine learningHow to use AI responsibly

Jul 25, 2023 • 18min
Leveraging generative AI for OSINT
Wondering how to incorporate AI into your OSINT framework? We asked the CEO and founder of the popular training organization, OSINT Combine. Key takeawaysHow can OSINT researchers leverage generative AI?Tips for spotting disinformation in an AI worldTeaching ChatGPT your company datasets

Jul 18, 2023 • 38min
LifeRaft: What security teams need to know about ChatGPT
We’re handing the mic over to our friends at Talking Threat Intelligence, a podcast by LifeRaft today. On the show, they had our very own Daniel Ben-Chitrit on to discuss the security implications of ChatGPT, how it could be used by phishing scammers to up their skills and the safest way for OSINT researchers to prompt AI.Key takeawaysSecurity implications of ChatGPT“A force multiplier” for phishing scammersThe safest way for OSINT researchers to prompt AI

Jun 13, 2023 • 25min
Maritime OSINT deep dive with Rae Baker
We sit down with the author of the new OSINT reference book Deep Dive: Exploring the Real-world Value of Open Source Intelligence, Rae Baker. Baker is an expert in OSINT with an emphasis on maritime intelligence, analyzing vessels and ports around the world. In this episode, she shares tips from her book, blog and career, and we explore her one-of-a-kind OSINT training game, Kase Scenarios.

Jun 6, 2023 • 28min
GEOINT for funsies with JoseMonkey
Not his real name, but there’s real fun to be had learning how JoseMonkey geolocates videos on his wildly popular TikTok channel. Hear the tools, techniques and process he uses to pinpoint even the trickiest videos, the wildest things he’s seen and how this supersleuth got into the GEOINT game.

May 31, 2023 • 29min
USGIF GEOINT Symposium acronym spectacular
We attended USGIF’s GEOINT Symposium so you don’t have to (but you should – it’s great). NeedleStack producers Aubrey and Shannon break down the geospatial intelligence conference (and its many, many acronyms) and the presence of OSINT on the floor, in keynotes and the Innovation Hub. If you’re an open-source researcher, tune in to understand what’s out there and how to leverage this adjacent INT.