RescueRanger
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Back in 2005 I had the pleasure of working alongside with UNOCHA HIC (Humanitarian Information Centre) in Pakistan during the 2005 earthquake with a remote recon and response team under the umbrella of UNOPS nicknamed "Quake Jumpers" , I was so impressed at the capability of UNOSAT, when we were struggling to obtain accurate OS maps for damage assessment, UNOSAT in collaboration with Pakistan Army, UK NGO Mapaction and DFID was able to provide detailed GIS maps which at that time we could carry on a laptop and use for damage and needs assessments. I am including a sample here:
OSINT and Human Terrain concept is nothing new, foreign nations have been using journalists, MNC(Multi National Corporations) and NGO's to achieve this, for example:
Let me tell you about about the work of a consortium unknown to people outside certain circles. BINGOsmc: Balochistan International NGO Security Management Consortium? For those who don't know what it's function was:
In early 2004, a group of 10 international agencies based in Quetta, Balochistan formed a consortium to act as a security network and meet periodically to exchange security information and analysis.
An NGO security advisor was already established to support NGOs, based in Islamabad. However, INGOs raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of this initiative particularly as, at that time, most security incidents and concerns were focused in Balochistan Province.
While the establishment of Balochistan INGO Consortium (BINGO) initially improved the level of security information available, it became evident to BINGO members that additional security support was needed due to the marked differences in security capacity and experience amongst INGOs operating out of Quetta.
In May 2004, the BINGO Security Management Support pilot project was established. This was funded by DG ECHO, with Concern as the host agency and focal point for the donor, and Mercy Corps providing additional support in terms of administration and accommodation.
The BINGO Consortium convened a Security Management Committee, consisting of five members of the consortium, to oversee the Security Management Support project and supervise and monitor the activities of the Security Management Advisory team.
The Security Management Advisory team, made up of an international Security Management Advisor and two national Security Officers, were tasked with a wide range of security support activities including:
information gathering, analysis and reporting on incidents that could impact
upon the security of the operating environment of the INGOs programmes in
Balochistan;
Below is a sample of a detailed intelligence report generated by a INGO in Pakistan -2009:
In August 2005 the Pakistani authorities ordered the BINGO consortium to close and terminate all activities.
Looking at BINGO, it has access to combined staff power of Concern, Care Af/Pak, Mercy Corps etc. It's major role of Grass Roots Intelligence Gathering, Authoring Sit Reps and Impact Assessments. Considering that INGOs operate in remote corners of Pakistan and that their personnel "social mobilizers" carry considerable clout with the locals, can speak the language and blend in no problem, it is easy for them to gather intel and bring back 1st hand information for their managers (handlers).
Where was this "intel" going, no one know's to this day. Think i am a conspiracy nut, just look at the type of talent that had worked with BINGOSMC in the past:
Bob Lidstone - Canada | LinkedIn
Now look at similar offshoots in Afghanistan:
ANSO
Here is a sample ANSO Report: http://www.ngosafety.org/store/files/ANSO Q3 2012.pdf
^
The above is designed, managed and run by NGOs to gather and analyse security information in Afghanistan, it's international off shoot in INSO: International NGO Safety Organisation :: INSO HOME ( much wider objective).
Coming back to Pakistan, we fail to respect the security challenges faced by foreign intelligence assets infiltrating well meaning "humanitarian agencies", for example: almost every respectable aid agency carries hand held GPS (excellent for geo caching), iridium based telephone systems (can bypass Pakistanis cellular and fixed line networks), due to their nature of work have access to highly detailed OS 1:25000 maps and detailed zonal, tribal, political, and maps at the UC level.
Another example of a foreign intelligence cell busted by the Intelligence Agencies in Pakistan: Colonel among three Germans held
Pakistan based map makers Alhasan Systems Private Limited carries out GIS work for various INGOs from 2005 to present date, here is an example of a highly detailed UC map complete with data sets:
Issues:
Credibility:
There are some really, really good OSINT guys working in a private capacity in Pakistan, they just don't advertise themselves, they tend for others to take the credit, these are the silent heroes of the battle in the info-spehere. Now that said, whilst we do have some excellent outfits like CommandEleven, I understand what the OP is saying, if you want to see some quality OSINT, you can just read the research carried out by @Foxtrot Alpha into BLA, excellent work there.
Then there are those who jump on a bandwagon and advertise themselves as "experts" on OSINT but the reality is must easier to explain, for example take NATSECJEFF, he has no background in security, academicilly or otherwise and was a tutor and call centre worker, jumping on the OSINT bandwagon after the in 2012, here are his historic tweets:
Sources: Most so called "OSINT" accounts that have thousands of likes, followers and RT's are actually just people using open channel rumour mills for example we all know about the telegram channels for certain groups, but are these bona fide or are these rumour mongering?
As with most things open source, the provenance is difficult to prove. And disinformation can easily be weaponized and RUMINT is not intelligence, it is rumour. Perfect examples are cases of misinformation and panic mongering during the India-Pakistan conflict and the constant dredge of fake news on Twitter, FB, Telegram and other channels.
Whilst the government is slow moving in these spheres, perhaps citizens who have the right skills and background can pick up the slack in the meantime. The problem is that Pakistanis are like Italians, quick to anger and think with their heart and not their brains, intelligence is a game of logic and cunning.
Even some of our very educated academics have fallen prey to "sensationalising" tweets, like the PM of UK once said "too many tweets equals a twat".
OSINT and Human Terrain concept is nothing new, foreign nations have been using journalists, MNC(Multi National Corporations) and NGO's to achieve this, for example:
Let me tell you about about the work of a consortium unknown to people outside certain circles. BINGOsmc: Balochistan International NGO Security Management Consortium? For those who don't know what it's function was:
In early 2004, a group of 10 international agencies based in Quetta, Balochistan formed a consortium to act as a security network and meet periodically to exchange security information and analysis.
An NGO security advisor was already established to support NGOs, based in Islamabad. However, INGOs raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of this initiative particularly as, at that time, most security incidents and concerns were focused in Balochistan Province.
While the establishment of Balochistan INGO Consortium (BINGO) initially improved the level of security information available, it became evident to BINGO members that additional security support was needed due to the marked differences in security capacity and experience amongst INGOs operating out of Quetta.
In May 2004, the BINGO Security Management Support pilot project was established. This was funded by DG ECHO, with Concern as the host agency and focal point for the donor, and Mercy Corps providing additional support in terms of administration and accommodation.
The BINGO Consortium convened a Security Management Committee, consisting of five members of the consortium, to oversee the Security Management Support project and supervise and monitor the activities of the Security Management Advisory team.
The Security Management Advisory team, made up of an international Security Management Advisor and two national Security Officers, were tasked with a wide range of security support activities including:
information gathering, analysis and reporting on incidents that could impact
upon the security of the operating environment of the INGOs programmes in
Balochistan;
- Coordinating security advice, information and arrangements with other relevant actors such as UNSECOORD personnel, government authorities and international representations;
- assessing security in different sites within the areas of operation and potential programme areas of the INGOs in Balochistan; and
- upgrading security management through the provision of training and technical advice.
Below is a sample of a detailed intelligence report generated by a INGO in Pakistan -2009:
In August 2005 the Pakistani authorities ordered the BINGO consortium to close and terminate all activities.
Looking at BINGO, it has access to combined staff power of Concern, Care Af/Pak, Mercy Corps etc. It's major role of Grass Roots Intelligence Gathering, Authoring Sit Reps and Impact Assessments. Considering that INGOs operate in remote corners of Pakistan and that their personnel "social mobilizers" carry considerable clout with the locals, can speak the language and blend in no problem, it is easy for them to gather intel and bring back 1st hand information for their managers (handlers).
Where was this "intel" going, no one know's to this day. Think i am a conspiracy nut, just look at the type of talent that had worked with BINGOSMC in the past:
Bob Lidstone - Canada | LinkedIn
Now look at similar offshoots in Afghanistan:
ANSO
Here is a sample ANSO Report: http://www.ngosafety.org/store/files/ANSO Q3 2012.pdf
^
The above is designed, managed and run by NGOs to gather and analyse security information in Afghanistan, it's international off shoot in INSO: International NGO Safety Organisation :: INSO HOME ( much wider objective).
Coming back to Pakistan, we fail to respect the security challenges faced by foreign intelligence assets infiltrating well meaning "humanitarian agencies", for example: almost every respectable aid agency carries hand held GPS (excellent for geo caching), iridium based telephone systems (can bypass Pakistanis cellular and fixed line networks), due to their nature of work have access to highly detailed OS 1:25000 maps and detailed zonal, tribal, political, and maps at the UC level.
Another example of a foreign intelligence cell busted by the Intelligence Agencies in Pakistan: Colonel among three Germans held
Pakistan based map makers Alhasan Systems Private Limited carries out GIS work for various INGOs from 2005 to present date, here is an example of a highly detailed UC map complete with data sets:
Issues:
Credibility:
There are some really, really good OSINT guys working in a private capacity in Pakistan, they just don't advertise themselves, they tend for others to take the credit, these are the silent heroes of the battle in the info-spehere. Now that said, whilst we do have some excellent outfits like CommandEleven, I understand what the OP is saying, if you want to see some quality OSINT, you can just read the research carried out by @Foxtrot Alpha into BLA, excellent work there.
Then there are those who jump on a bandwagon and advertise themselves as "experts" on OSINT but the reality is must easier to explain, for example take NATSECJEFF, he has no background in security, academicilly or otherwise and was a tutor and call centre worker, jumping on the OSINT bandwagon after the in 2012, here are his historic tweets:
Sources: Most so called "OSINT" accounts that have thousands of likes, followers and RT's are actually just people using open channel rumour mills for example we all know about the telegram channels for certain groups, but are these bona fide or are these rumour mongering?
As with most things open source, the provenance is difficult to prove. And disinformation can easily be weaponized and RUMINT is not intelligence, it is rumour. Perfect examples are cases of misinformation and panic mongering during the India-Pakistan conflict and the constant dredge of fake news on Twitter, FB, Telegram and other channels.
Whilst the government is slow moving in these spheres, perhaps citizens who have the right skills and background can pick up the slack in the meantime. The problem is that Pakistanis are like Italians, quick to anger and think with their heart and not their brains, intelligence is a game of logic and cunning.
Even some of our very educated academics have fallen prey to "sensationalising" tweets, like the PM of UK once said "too many tweets equals a twat".
