Every successful investigation starts with some form of intelligence. Effective intelligence gathering helps investigators build a foundation of knowledge about the situation, the people involved, and the potential risks.
In criminal cases, it helps law enforcement agencies establish connections between suspects, identify criminal patterns, and uncover hidden motives or networks. For law firms, this information can serve as key evidence in the courtroom, strengthening the case for prosecution or defence and ensuring justice is served.
One often overlooked way of gathering intelligence on a suspect is using closed-source intelligence (CSINT), which relies on confidential and private information that isn’t available to the public. CSINT may not be as widely known as open-source intelligence (OSINT), but it can deliver similarly transformative intelligence to online investigators.
This article tells you everything you need to know about closed-source intelligence, including what it is, how it works, and when it’s legally viable.
What is CSINT?
Closed-source intelligence refers to collecting and analysing information from non-public, restricted, or confidential sources. These sources include classified government documents, proprietary corporate data, internal communications, or data obtained through confidential agreements, intelligence networks, or espionage.
CSINT is often used in investigations where sensitive or confidential information is critical to the case. Law enforcement agencies, intelligence organisations, corporate security teams and private investigators typically rely on CSINT to gain insights that are otherwise unavailable to the general public.
For example, an investigator might use CSINT to access a company’s internal communications, or a government agency could tap into restricted intelligence reports to track potential threats.
Because CSINT involves non-public data, access is usually regulated through legal frameworks, such as court orders and warrants, following strict compliance procedures through agreements with private entities, ensuring its ethical use.
How does CSINT work?
Closed-source intelligence follows the structured process of accessing, collecting, and analysing non-public or restricted information that requires special permissions or legal authority.
To initiate CSINT, an investigator or agency must obtain the necessary legal permissions or access rights to gather information from closed sources. This could involve court-issued warrants, corporate agreements, or government security clearances.
Once access is granted, data is collected from closed sources. These sources can include internal corporate systems, classified government databases, private email accounts, secure financial records, or subscription-based platforms like industry reports and proprietary research.
To gather this information legally and securely, intelligence agencies often use digital forensics, data extraction, or surveillance methods to gather the information securely without alerting unauthorised parties. Analysts then sift through the closed-source information to uncover valuable insights and cross-reference the gathered intelligence with other sources, both open and closed, to validate the data’s accuracy and relevance.
After the analysis is complete, the actionable intelligence is compiled into reports or briefings. These are then shared with decision-makers, investigators, or other relevant stakeholders who need the intelligence to guide their actions. The insights from CSINT can inform law enforcement strategies, corporate decision-making, or national security policies, depending on the context.
Examples of CSINT
Examples of Closed-source Intelligence (CSINT) span across various sectors, including law enforcement, government agencies, corporate investigations, and cybersecurity. Below are several practical examples of how CSINT is applied:
1. Classified Government Databases
Intelligence agencies often rely on classified government databases to monitor threats such as terrorism, espionage, and organized crime. For instance, agencies like the CIA or NSA may access classified foreign intelligence reports, encrypted communications, or surveillance data from secure networks to track potential security threats or analyze enemy activities. These sources are tightly controlled and only accessible to individuals with the proper security clearances.
2. Internal Corporate Records
In corporate investigations, CSINT might involve the review of internal documents such as employee emails, financial statements, customer contracts, or intellectual property data. For example, during an investigation into corporate fraud or intellectual property theft, a company’s internal audit team may access secure, non-public financial records to uncover discrepancies or evidence of misconduct.
3. Private Communications
Law enforcement agencies sometimes use CSINT to obtain private communications such as phone records, text messages, or emails, particularly in criminal investigations. This information, often obtained through court-issued warrants, can be critical in cases involving drug trafficking, organized crime, or cybercrime. For instance, police may use closed-source data to track criminal networks by accessing encrypted messaging services or telecom data.
4. Subscription-based Intelligence databases
Some forms of CSINT are available via paid subscription services that provide proprietary market research, industry reports, or financial intelligence. For example, investigators, financial analysts or corporate security teams might subscribe to premium databases that offer insights into stock market activities, corporate mergers, or insider trading, which are not available to the public without a paid service.
At SIP, we use a combination of OSINT and CSINT. We use dedicated, compliant servers to extract data from the surface and deep web and have access to over 400 global subscribers and established public databases. In addition, when information is not available online, we have local resources in most jurisdictions that can make formal written applications to the relevant authorities for the completeness of our research. In cases where data has been stolen through ransomware attacks, which may be sold on the dark web, or for identifying if counterfeit products are being sold or even a person’s involvement in an underground political movement, etc. We have the capability to infiltrate dark web chatrooms to secure any related evidence.
5. Private Security and Surveillance Data
Private security firms often gather closed-source intelligence by using advanced surveillance systems, private investigations, or employee monitoring tools. For example, in a corporate security breach, a company might use CSINT from its internal security cameras, access logs, or cybersecurity monitoring software to determine how the breach occurred and who was responsible.
When should CSINT be used?
Closed-source intelligence (CSINT) should be used when an investigation requires access to sensitive, non-public information that is critical to achieving a comprehensive understanding of the case. This is particularly relevant in situations where publicly available data, such as open-source intelligence (OSINT), is insufficient to uncover key details or address specific threats.
CSINT is also essential in cases where privacy and confidentiality are paramount, such as criminal investigations, counterterrorism efforts, corporate espionage, and cybersecurity breaches. For example, law enforcement agencies may need to access encrypted communications or classified government reports to track criminal activities or prevent potential security threats. CSINT provides the detailed, accurate information needed to make informed decisions in litigation matters and protect public interests.
Still, investigators must ensure that their use of CSINT complies with legal frameworks, such as adhering to strict compliance or obtaining the necessary court orders or internal permissions to avoid privacy violations.
Legal and Ethical Considerations of CSINT
Throughout the entire CSINT gathering process, strict legal and ethical guidelines govern how CSINT is conducted. investigators must operate within the boundaries of laws governing privacy, data protection, and authorized access.
For example, law enforcement agencies often need to obtain court orders, subpoenas, or warrants to access private communications, financial records, or corporate data. Unauthorized access or breaches can lead to legal penalties, lawsuits, and court evidence dismissal.
In corporate environments, accessing employee or customer data without clear authorisation can result in violations of privacy regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
The use of CSINT must be justified and proportional to the goals of the investigation, ensuring that data is not exploited or used inappropriately. Misuse of closed-source data, such as violating privacy laws or accessing information without proper authorization, can result in serious legal consequences.
Only highly trained and qualified intelligence experts must have access to the closed-source data to ensure CSINT is conducted in a way that respects privacy, security, and human rights. Its success hinges on strict adherence to legal frameworks and secure practices to avoid ethical breaches or misuse of sensitive data.
Can CSINT and OSINT be used together?
Closed-source Intelligence (CSINT) and Open-source Intelligence (OSINT) often should be used together to enhance the effectiveness of investigations and intelligence gathering. By combining the strengths of both types of intelligence, investigators can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the context, identify key players, and formulate effective strategies to address specific issues or threats.
Using OSINT, investigators can gather publicly available information from various sources such as news articles, social media, websites, and public records. This initial layer of intelligence helps establish a foundational understanding of the situation, including general trends, public sentiments, and initial leads.
Once OSINT has provided valuable context and initial leads, CSINT can be employed to delve deeper into sensitive or restricted information that is not publicly accessible. For example, if OSINT reveals a potential suspect or area of concern, investigators can seek out closed-source data—such as private communications, classified records, or internal documents—to validate findings, uncover deeper insights, and support their hypotheses.
For example, in cybersecurity, OSINT can help identify potential vulnerabilities based on publicly disclosed threats, while CSINT can provide detailed insights into the specific security protocols and defences in place within an organization.
This combined analysis enables organizations to prioritize their resources effectively and implement tailored security measures to mitigate identified risks. In essence, the synergistic use of CSINT and OSINT creates a more nuanced understanding of complex situations, enabling investigators and decision-makers to act with greater confidence and precision.
Learn more about OSINT vs CSINT
