BSides Cape Town 2024

Unmasking the Digital Shadows: OSINT Techniques for Cybersecurity Professionals
2024-12-07 , Track 2

The cyber threat landscape is becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated. Cybersecurity professionals are constantly challenged to stay ahead of attackers who exploit the anonymity of the internet to carry out malicious activities. Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) has emerged as a powerful tool in the cybersecurity arsenal, enabling professionals to uncover hidden threats, track malicious actors, and safeguard sensitive information.


Objective: The primary objective of this keynote is to equip cybersecurity professionals with the basic OSINT techniques that can be used to enhance their threat detection, investigation, and mitigation capabilities. Attendees will gain insights into how OSINT can be leveraged to unmask digital shadows—those elusive and often hidden elements of the cyber world that pose significant risks to organisations and individuals alike.

Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding the Power of OSINT:
o Explore the evolution of OSINT and its growing significance in cybersecurity.
o Learn about the different types of OSINT sources and tools available to cybersecurity professionals.
o Understand how OSINT can complement traditional cybersecurity measures.
2. Advanced OSINT Techniques for Cyber Threat Intelligence:
o Discover innovative methods to gather and analyse OSINT data for threat intelligence.
o Learn how to trace the digital footprints of cybercriminals and identify patterns in their activities.
o Explore case studies that demonstrate the successful application of OSINT in uncovering and mitigating cyber threats.

  1. Unmasking Anonymity: Techniques to Identify Hidden Actors:
    o Delve into techniques for de-anonymising online identities and uncovering the real personas behind cyber activities.
    o Understand the role of OSINT in tracking down and profiling threat actors, from lone hackers to organised cybercrime groups.
    o Learn how to use OSINT to uncover connections between seemingly unrelated cyber incidents.
  2. Legal and Ethical Considerations in OSINT:
    o Explore the legal frameworks governing the use of OSINT in cybersecurity.
    o Discuss ethical dilemmas and best practices for conducting OSINT investigations responsibly.
    o Understand the importance of balancing privacy concerns with the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
  3. Future Trends in OSINT and Cybersecurity:
    o Gain insights into emerging trends and technologies that will shape the future of OSINT in cybersecurity.
    o Explore how AI and machine learning are revolutionizing OSINT techniques.
    o Discuss the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for cybersecurity professionals in the OSINT domain.

Conclusion: This keynote will empower cybersecurity professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilise OSINT in their daily work. By unmasking the digital shadows, they will be better equipped to protect their organisations, clients, and the wider digital ecosystem from the ever-evolving threats posed by cyber adversaries.

Target Audience: This keynote is designed for cybersecurity professionals, including threat analysts, investigators, incident responders, and security operations centre (SOC) teams, who are looking to enhance their skill sets with advanced OSINT techniques

Sharon Knowles, a seasoned cybersecurity professional, OSINT investigator, and keynote speaker with extensive experience in cyber threat intelligence and digital forensics. As the CEO of Da Vinci Forensics, Sharon Knowles has been at the forefront of cybersecurity business innovation and has a proven track record in assisting organisations with their cybersecurity posture. Sharon is a certified Cybercrime investigator,Certified Cybercrime Intelligence Analyst and Certified Cryptocurrency investigator. When Sharon retires it will be to a farm with donkeys, horses and goats where she will film them and make social media videos for everyone.