SOCMINT - How Social Media Data Collection and Analysis Can Be Universally Valuable

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For all of you that are not familiar with the intelligence jargon, and even for those of you that are, I am going to introduce you to a term you may want to know; SOCMINT. SOCMINT is essentially the combination of the three words "Social", “media”, and “intelligence”. This term is fairly new to the intelligence community, but is rapidly becoming a valuable Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tool. Essentially, SOCMINT allows for Open Source (OSINT), and All Source collection managers to gather data from social media for analysis. The world’s various Intelligence Communities (IC) can and do collect data from SOCMINT.  Alongside information gathered from other electronic and clandestine means, SOCMINT is used to prepare intelligence reports.

Social media has become a virtual gold mine for governments, corporations, and businesses to collect data about all kinds of human activities. People from every walk of life on the planet Earth use social media; thus making it a vast resource for information harvesting. The thing that is most interesting about SOCMINT is that it falls into the OSINT category; making the information available for almost anyone to access. This means the street food cart vendor in Taiwan has the ability to learn the eating patterns of his neighbors and fellow apartment dwellers. The Uber driver in Los Angeles can know when that “cool” club that just opened up is starting to not be so “hot” anymore. SOCMINT, despite its covert sounding name, is really an acronym that anyone should know, and could use.

SOCMINT really does not require a great deal of research and analysis to employ. Many people post their daily habits online via a “hashtag”, or through their connections via online platforms. The Uber driver may be able to look at the “Check In” feature on Facebook for various locations to see the amount, time and frequency that people are visiting certain destinations. Using their own deductive analysis; combined with other information sources, an Uber driver may know where to position themselves to pick up clients. The same applies to the food cart vendor and his business. By looking at the times that people eat, and more importantly, the types of food people are trending towards eating, the food cart vendor may be able to adjust his menu, position, and hours of operation to maximize his earning potential.

Now, it is also fair to say that SOCMINT is not an all inclusive information tool, but rather a potential business decision making boost. Just like the rugged, yet suave James Bond, sometimes you have to rely on your “gut” to make a decision. However, if you’re a small business owner, everyday commuter, or just about anyone looking towards making a socially minded decision, SOCMINT just may help you make a wiser decision!

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Christina Kitova Twitter @CarticulusMedia Image: Acurax.com