Before you sign the contract, hire the executive, or trust the supplier, know who you’re actually dealing with. Our open-source intelligence (OSINT) investigations turn publicly available information into clear, actionable findings, lawfully, confidentially, and thoroughly.
Request a confidential consultation → | Typical turnaround: 3–5 working days | Fully lawful, POPIA-aligned methodology
What Is OSINT?
Open-source intelligence, or OSINT, is the practice of collecting and analysing information that is publicly or legitimately accessible, company registries, court records, news archives, social media, and other open digital sources, and turning it into structured, actionable intelligence. Unlike hacking or covert surveillance, OSINT never involves unauthorised access to private systems or data; everything we find is information the subject has made available, intentionally or not, in the public domain.
What makes OSINT valuable isn’t any single piece of information, since most of it is individually unremarkable. It’s the pattern that emerges when scattered, publicly available details are properly collected, cross-referenced, and analysed by someone trained to know where to look and what inconsistencies actually matter.
When Businesses Use OSINT
Due diligence. Before a partnership, acquisition, senior hire, or major supplier relationship, verifying that what you’ve been told matches what’s publicly verifiable.
Fraud investigations. Building a public-record picture around a suspected fraud case to support or direct a wider investigation.
Corporate risk & reputation. Understanding what’s publicly associated with your brand, executives, or an upcoming deal before it becomes a surprise.
Digital footprint review. Identifying what an attacker could learn about your organisation from public sources alone, often the first step an attacker takes before a social engineering or phishing campaign.
Pre-litigation & legal support. Gathering publicly available evidence to support legal teams ahead of or during a dispute.
Our Process
1. Objective definition. We clarify exactly what question you’re trying to answer, since unfocused “tell me everything” investigations waste time and produce weak findings.
2. Lawful source collection. We gather information from public records, legitimate databases, and open digital sources only, never through hacking, pretexting, or unauthorised access.
3. Verification & cross-referencing. Findings are checked against multiple independent sources wherever possible, to separate fact from speculation or outdated information.
4. Analysis. We assess what the findings actually mean for your specific decision or concern, not just a raw data dump.
5. Reporting. A clear, structured report covering findings, sources, and their relevance to your original objective, written for decision-makers, not just analysts.
Our Capabilities
Corporate & Director Background Checks
Verification of company affiliations, directorships, litigation history, and business track record ahead of a partnership, investment, or supplier decision.
Individual Background & Pre-Employment Screening
Public-record verification to support sensitive hiring decisions, particularly for senior or high-trust roles, conducted in line with POPIA’s requirements around lawful processing.
Digital Footprint & Exposure Assessment
A review of what’s publicly discoverable about your organisation or executives, including any credentials or data that may have surfaced in known breach repositories.
Fraud & Dispute Support Investigations
Open-source research to support an active fraud investigation or legal dispute, often run alongside our digital forensics team where the matter has a technical evidence component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OSINT investigation legal in South Africa?
Yes. OSINT uses only publicly or legitimately accessible information, never hacking or unauthorised access, and we operate within POPIA and other applicable law.
What can an OSINT investigation actually uncover?
Business affiliations, undisclosed conflicts of interest, public litigation history, inconsistencies in claimed background, relevant social media activity, and digital footprint exposure.
How is OSINT used in due diligence?
It verifies claims against independently available public information before a partnership, hire, or investment, surfacing red flags before they become your problem.
How long does an OSINT investigation take?
A focused individual or company check typically takes 14–21 working days. More complex, multi-subject investigations can take longer.
Get Started
Tell us what decision you’re trying to make, and we’ll scope an investigation that actually answers the question, confidentially.
Request a confidential consultation →
