What does open source intelligence (OSINT) look like in practice across today’s investigations industry? Last year, more than 130 investigators across public sector, financial services, professional services and corporate teams helped answer that question. Their input shaped our first State of OSINT report: a practical benchmark that teams have since used to assess capability, brief senior stakeholders and build the case for further investment.
The 2026 State of OSINT Survey is now open. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete, responses are anonymous, and every contributor will receive early access to the finished report.
Why the 2026 State of OSINT survey matters
OSINT has reached a point where adoption is outpacing definition. It is a mature investigative discipline, yet there is still limited consensus on what should count as open source intelligence, how OSINT activity should be governed, and what good practice looks like across sectors.
Last year’s data made that clear: investigators highlighted the need for better access to breach data, leaks and dark web data, even though some practitioners would not classify all those sources as OSINT. That distinction matters. It points to a fast-moving field where operational need, governance and terminology have not yet fully caught up with one another.
The findings also showed how central OSINT has become to investigative work. More than half of respondents said they use OSINT in over half of their investigations, while financial services appeared to fall behind other sectors. Across the board, data overwhelm and data access stood out as the most persistent barriers. At the same time, 70% of respondents were positive about the impact of AI, viewing it as a way to reduce manual effort rather than replace investigative expertise.
Who should take part in the OSINT survey?
The survey is designed for people who use OSINT in real investigative environments, including analysts, investigators, intelligence teams, fraud teams, compliance professionals and leaders responsible for investigative capability. The value of the report comes from aggregating that lived experience into a benchmark the wider industry can use.
Last year, 58% of respondents expected their organisations to increase investment in OSINT. In 2026, we want to understand whether that investment is being delivered, whether the same barriers remain, and whether the industry is moving towards clearer standards for open source intelligence.
If OSINT is part of your investigative work, your response will help shape the next industry benchmark and give peers a clearer view of how the discipline is evolving.
Take the 2026 State of OSINT Survey now to contribute to the report and receive early access when it is published later this year.
