Agreement between VSOA and OSINT Centre of Excellence strengthens Croatia's intelligence capacities through exchange of knowledge and practices

The collaboration between VSOA and the Center of Excellence for OSINT through joint projects will significantly enhance Croatia's intelligence capabilities, particularly in the context of collecting and analyzing data from open sources. On July 19, 2024, Brigadier General Ivan Turkalj, Director of the Military Security and Intelligence Agency (VSOA), and Tomislav Dokman, Director of the Center of Excellence for the Collection, Processing, and Analysis of Data from Open Sources (OSINT), signed a Cooperation Agreement.

The agreement is designed to strengthen the intelligence capabilities of the Republic of Croatia's defense system, with a particular emphasis on the effective utilization of publicly available data for analytical support and the identification of security threats. The cooperation will enable the exchange of knowledge and best practices between the two institutions, thereby increasing efficiency in collecting and analyzing information from open sources.

The Center of Excellence for OSINT has already established itself as a key institution in the field of intelligence information from open sources. Given the international dimension, the Center focuses on developing doctrines, standardized procedures, and methodological settings that will ensure interoperability among European security and intelligence agencies. Through multinational cooperation, the Center will also strengthen the resilience and readiness of intelligence agencies in dealing with large amounts of publicly available data.

One of the key goals of the Center is to develop methodologies for addressing contemporary security challenges, including the fight against disinformation and the detection of fake news. Additionally, the Center will research the negative aspects of artificial intelligence in the context of spreading public content and seek the best tools for automated data collection.

The Center of Excellence for OSINT is not just a place for data collection but also a key platform for education and training. It will organize professional courses, seminars, and conferences to ensure the continuous improvement of its members and partners. Collaboration with domestic and international institutions will further strengthen the Center's capacities, making it an indispensable hub for open-source intelligence data on an international level.