Practical Approach to Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) - Volume 1

Akashdeep Bhardwaj is a Professor at UPES, Dehradun, India. An eminent IT industry expert in Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, and IT Operations areas, Dr. Akashdeep mentors graduate, master’s, and doctoral students and leads several industry projects as the Head of Cybersecurity (Center of Excellence). Dr. Akashdeep is a Post-Doctoral candidate from Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia, and holds a PhD (doctoral) in Computer Science. Dr. Akashdeep has over 150 international publications (including SCI, Scopus, WoS papers, Copyrights, and Patents) and authored several books and chapters. He is certified in multiple technologies including Compliance Audits and Cybersecurity, and has industry certifications in Microsoft, Cisco, and VMware technologies.

• Chapter 1: OSINT Evolution & Basics Chapter 2: Online Privacy & Security Browsing Techniques Chapter 3: Building OSINT Skills and Workflow ProcessChapter 4: Search Underground InternetChapter 5: Search Engine Techniques Chapter 6: Email Address Intelligence Chapter 7: Image Intelligence Chapter 8: Tracking Satellites and AircraftsChapter 9: Tracking Maritime & Land-based transportation Chapter 10: Conclusion

A Practical Approach to Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) – Volume 1 comes across as a serious, skill-focused guide that respects both the power and responsibility that come with information gathering. As a reader, I immediately sense that this book isn’t about curiosity alone it’s about capability. The description makes it clear that OSINT is not just something you read about, but something you practice, and that expectation feels both exciting and grounding.What stood out to me first is how thoughtfully the book appears to be structured. Beginning with the **foundations of OSINT its history, ethics, and principles **sets the right tone. As a reader, I appreciate that the book doesn’t jump straight into tools and tactics without addressing responsibility and legality. That emphasis on ethics and privacy builds trust and signals that this is a professional, not reckless, approach to intelligence gathering.The scope of skills covered is impressive without feeling overwhelming. From protecting online privacy and securing web browsing to advanced search techniques and underground internet navigation, the book promises a gradual deepening of competence. As a reader, I like that progression it suggests I’ll build confidence step by step rather than being thrown into complex material without context.The sections on extracting intelligence from emails, social media, imagery, and video analysis are especially compelling. As a reader, the idea of uncovering hidden details in photographs or tracking digital footprints feels both fascinating and practical. These are skills that clearly translate into real-world applications, whether for research, journalism, security, or personal awareness.I was particularly intrigued by the inclusion of satellite tracking, aircraft monitoring, and global transport analysis. That level of detail elevates the book beyond basic OSINT introductions. As a reader, it signals depth this isn’t just about surface-level searches, but about understanding movement, patterns, and global systems.The promise of hands-on exercises and real-world examples is a major strength. From a reader’s perspective, that transforms the book from a reference manual into a learning experience. It suggests that by the end of Volume 1, I won’t just understand OSINT conceptually I’ll actually be able to apply it.- Laura McKnight