Rae Baker

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What was your OSINT highlight of 2020?

I have so many personal highlights for 2020! The first was being invited to join the OSINT Curious Advisory Board. Being affiliated with top experts in the OSINT field still blows my mind. I also gave my first terrifying large stage presentation at ShmooCon and it was amazing. I became a volunteer for the Innocent Lives Foundation which is thoroughly rewarding. Last but certainly not least, I got a job doing what I love to do and I could not be happier.

What emerging (good or bad) trends did you notice over the past year?

I have noticed an increased interest in the field of OSINT due to popular shows featuring OSINT skills. I believe this trend will continue into 2021 as this type of investigative work gets more time on popular podcasts, movies, and TV shows.

Any favorite tool or technique that you tried in 2020?

I am a big fan of Spiderfoot, FOCA, hunter.io, and resources like Open Corporates and marine traffic for my day-to-day work. I am a simple person though, just give me Google and I will make it work.

How do you see the OSINT landscape changing in 2021?

In 2021 I anticipate more automation tools being created using AI/Machine Learning. I think the influx of new people into the OSINT field will continue to make space for training opportunities, classes, and tools like TryHackMe. I see OSINT for good expanding, with more organizations leveraging the craft for use against crime. I also believe more companies will begin to see the value in OSINT data for protecting their business which in turn will create more jobs within the field.

Anything else you’d like to add about The State of OSINT?

The state of OSINT for 2021 looks great and I hope it will provide plenty of opportunities for people to break into the field and perfect their tradecraft.