Episode 145: Brett Redman of OSINT Industries

In Episode 145 of the Layer 8 Podcast, host Patrick Laverty welcomes Brett Redman, Chief Operating Officer at OSINT Industries, for a deep dive into the evolving world of open source intelligence (OSINT). Redman shares his unconventional journey into OSINT, rooted in his long-standing fascination with West Coast hip-hop and gang culture, which sparked his early investigative work from across the Atlantic. He discusses how this passion evolved into a professional career focused on attribution, criminal network mapping, and real-time intelligence. The conversation explores the critical balance between tools and tradecraft, emphasizing that AI, while powerful, cannot replace human judgment, especially in distinguishing misinformation from truth. Redman warns against the 'easy button' mentality of AI-driven investigations, stressing the importance of methodology, scope, and critical thinking to avoid rabbit holes and false conclusions. He also highlights OSINT Industries' mission to democratize access to intelligence tools across sectors—from private investigators to government agencies—and their upcoming platform enhancements, including a revamped node graph. Redman underscores the growing demand for OSINT professionals, citing the explosion of public data and the need for skilled analysts. He advocates for community engagement, certification (like OSC via Osmosis), and training—especially in high-impact areas like child protection and journalism—as essential entry points for newcomers. His upcoming presentation at the Layer 8 Conference, titled 'It’s All in the Method Man by Redman,' promises to blend personal narrative with core OSINT principles, reinforcing that methodology is the true foundation of intelligence work.