The Center for Security Studies “CENSS” is an independent non-governmental organization.
The Center is composed of scientists and specialists in the field of security, mass media and information, international relations, conflict resolution, as well as sociologists and lawyers.
The Center also cooperates with international and domestic experts and specialists in various fields.
OUR VISION
ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTER FOR SECURITY STUDIES “CENSS” ARE AIMED TO PROVIDE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE THREATS AND PROPOSE SOLUTIONS THAT WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE SECURITY POLICY, PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS, OVERCOME THE VULNERABILITY OF SOCIETY AND BUILD A SUSTAINABLE, COHESIVE COMMUNITIES.
OUR MISSION
WE ANALYZE THREATS AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS, OFFER SOLUTIONS AND PROVIDE TOOLS FOR THE ISSUES OF SECURITY, PREVENTION AND RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS, PREVENTION OF RADICALIZATION OF SOCIETY, PROMOTE PEACE AS A GLOBAL AIM. WE ASSIST STATE BODIES, INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN ENSURING AND PROTECTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC ORDER, STATE SOVEREIGNTY, VITAL FOR SOCIETY AND PERSON INTERESTS, RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS.
OUR OBJECTIVE
To provide tools and methodology for:
- quality improvement of security policy;
- ensuring the protection of the democratic order, state sovereignty, vital for society and person interests, rights and freedoms;
- conflict prevention and resolution;
- capacity building of politicians and implementers to respond to security threats;
- promoting peace and secure democratic world.
WHAT WE DO
- study security issues in a broad sense: from the financing of terrorism to hybrid methods of conflict management;
- explore the root causes of conflict, the fragmentation of society;
- identify ways to prevent and resolve conflicts, prevent the radicalization of society, threats to security and overcoming them, and promote peace as a global aim;
- analyse the international experience of armed conflict resolution and the possibilities of using the best practices of conflict resolution based on the experience of other countries;
Working at the crossroads of different disciplines and subjects, in this context we:
- analyse threats;
- develop recommendations;
- offer step-by-step solutions;
- provide tools on various aspects of security – political, economic, social, environmental, military, information;
- realize projects and means for prevention and resolving of conflicts.
OSINT Process by CENSS
Stage 1: Source Selection
In the first stage of the OSINT process, we work with public sources of information in the required domain. We clarify their different features, e.g., the main topics of sources; who is the source’s controller, what is a target audience of a source, coverage, and others. CENSS uses technical and non-technical means to identify the most relevant sources for obtaining information. Those means, in particular, are conducting interviews with experts in a targeted domain, looking up available data about public sources from existing databases, and applying special software for superficial analysis of sources.
At the final point of the stage, we have a list of sources from which we can collect the most relevant information.
Stage 2: Obtaining Information
Having chosen the list of relevant sources, we automatically begin obtaining information from them. We do not collect all pieces of information from selected sources but only those that match relevant topics, keywords, or key phrases.
In this way, CENSS receives quite extensive unstructured data with which it is difficult to work.
Stage 3: “Coarse Sieve” Processing
We use specifically created software to process data to convert it into a well-structured one. At this stage, we already have the ability to detect some tendencies in the targeted domain and understand central “motifs.”
In intelligence parlance, such data falls under the definition of “raw” intelligence.
Stage 4: “Fine Sieve” Processing
After doing “Fine Sieve” processing, we have a well-organized set of highly relevant and precise data that can be looked at and used in various ways for analysis. Such a form of data is appropriate for discerning patterns within the subject domain as well as connections between different pieces of the information derived from all sources and between sources themselves.
We apply technical and non-technical means in this stage.
Internally, we use the term “semi-fabricated” intelligence for the product of this stage.
Stage 5: Analysis
At the final stage of the OSINT process, our analysts do various types of analyses of information collected and processed in the preceding steps.
The expected analytical report on the subject area results from the whole process. It falls under the definition of “Pure” intelligence.
Our research can be of interest and use for:
authorities
scientists
international governmental and non-governmental organizations
mass media