Grey Area: Dark Web Data Collection and the Future of OSINT

Abstract

This book examines the legal, operational, and ethical dimensions of collecting and exploiting data from the darkest corners of the internet, including leaked databases, breached credentials, and hidden criminal networks. It breaks down how to discover, process, validate, and operationalize this data in real-world contexts—from attribution and threat actor profiling to national security use cases. You’ll explore the evolution of OSINT within the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community through exclusive, first-hand accounts from senior officials who helped define its path. You'll also learn how AI and automation tools are being used to validate data at scale, detect disinformation, and supercharge open-source investigations.