Ethics in OSINT: Preliminary Study on Ethical Concerns and Certification in Malaysia

Muhammad Adib Hakimi Rustam; Syarifah Bahiyah Rahayu Syed Mansoor; Syed Nasir Alsagoff Syed Zakaria; Nurul Husna Mohamad Nor Hazalin

Authors

Muhammad Adib Hakimi Rustam Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Defence Science and Technology, National Defence University of Malaysia, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Syarifah Bahiyah Rahayu Syed Mansoor Department of Science Defense, Faculty of Defence Science and Technology, National Defence University of Malaysia, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Syed Nasir Alsagoff Syed Zakaria Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Defence Science and Technology, National Defence University of Malaysia, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nurul Husna Mohamad Nor Hazalin CyberSecurity Malaysia, Level 7, Tower 1, Menara Cyber Axis, Jalan Impact, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Keywords:

Open-Source Intelligence, Ethical OSINT, Cybersecurity, Privacy, Ethics Survey, Certification in OSINT

Abstract

This paper discusses the ethical considerations in Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), focusing on the challenges of establishing a standardized ethical framework. The capability of extracting public information from OSINT is why it is essential to utilise across various sectors. In Malaysia, where no dedicated OSINT ethical framework or certification currently exists, the rising use of OSINT highlights the urgency to address its ethical implications within a local regulatory context, making this one of the first studies to examine these issues regionally. By synthesizing insights from previous research and survey responses, this study provides an overview of core ethical concerns in OSINT. A total of 80 respondents from various sectors, participated in this study. The findings reveal that privacy invasion is the most significant ethical concern, followed by the risk of misinformation and others. The study also highlights variations in ethical interpretations among different sectors, emphasising the lack of a unified understanding of OSINT ethics. Additionally, 86% of respondents support the implementation of certification programs to ensure ethical compliance and professional accountability. The results underscore the urgent need for standardized ethical guidelines and proactive privacy measures to safeguard ethical OSINT practices. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on OSINT ethics by introducing Malaysia-specific findings and proposing the practical development of an ethical certification framework, serving as a foundation for both academic research and national policy formulation.