Hacky Certified OSINT Investigator
HCOI · Level 2Introduction
Find and report information from open sources, ethically. Three levels, each self-paced, each with its own exam and certificate.
Buy now- Author: Gaurav Sharma
- Level: Level 2 · Practitioner
- Study time: 40 hours
- Certification: Hacky Certified OSINT Investigator
Curriculum
6 modules · 20 hours of guided learning · self-paced, with hands-on labs
Job-oriented, scenario-led progression in hacky certified osint investigator. Exercises are conducted only in authorized training environments. The level builds on previous levels while adding distinct techniques, deeper evidence requirements and more complex capstones.
Prerequisites: Basic IT literacy and willingness to use Linux/Windows command lines.
Tool stack: SpiderFoot, Maltego CE, theHarvester, Amass, Shodan, crt.sh, ExifTool, OpenCTI
5h guided instruction + 11h guided/independent practical labs + 4h reading, review and assessment. These are total learning hours, not 20 hours of live lectures.
Module 01OSINT ethics, authorization and privacy4 h
Coverage. Identify core concepts, demonstrate the workflow, and record reliable evidence.
Practical. Complete a guided lab with baseline and expected evidence.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 02Research planning and source reliability4 h
Coverage. Identify core concepts, demonstrate the workflow, and record reliable evidence.
Practical. Complete a guided lab with baseline and expected evidence.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 03Search operators and public records3 h
Coverage. Identify core concepts, demonstrate the workflow, and record reliable evidence.
Practical. Complete a guided lab with baseline and expected evidence.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 04Domain and DNS intelligence3 h
Coverage. Identify core concepts, demonstrate the workflow, and record reliable evidence.
Practical. Complete a guided lab with baseline and expected evidence.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 05Infrastructure attribution caveats3 h
Coverage. Identify core concepts, demonstrate the workflow, and record reliable evidence.
Practical. Complete a guided lab with baseline and expected evidence.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 06Social platform verification and impersonation3 h
Coverage. Identify core concepts, demonstrate the workflow, and record reliable evidence.
Practical. Complete a guided lab with baseline and expected evidence.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Guided scenario: demonstrate correct methodology, collect evidence and submit a short structured report.
20% knowledge checks, 60% hands-on practical, 20% evidence-based reporting Recommended pass: 70% overall with mandatory completion of safety and evidence checkpoints.
Final exam
A 2-hour online exam with a 70% pass mark. Recommended pass: 70% overall with mandatory completion of safety and evidence checkpoints. Attempts are free until you pass. The exam opens 7 days after purchase.
Curriculum
9 modules · 40 hours of guided learning · self-paced, with hands-on labs
Job-oriented, scenario-led progression in hacky certified osint investigator. Exercises are conducted only in authorized training environments. The level builds on previous levels while adding distinct techniques, deeper evidence requirements and more complex capstones.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1 or demonstrably equivalent practical skills.
Tool stack: SpiderFoot, Maltego CE, theHarvester, Amass, Shodan, crt.sh, ExifTool, OpenCTI
10h guided instruction + 22h guided/independent practical labs + 8h reading, review and assessment. These are total learning hours, not 40 hours of live lectures.
Module 01Domain and DNS intelligence5 h
Coverage. Investigate a realistic scenario, compare alternative approaches, tune decisions and document remediation.
Practical. Complete a case-based lab using multiple evidence sources and a verification checklist.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 02Infrastructure attribution caveats5 h
Coverage. Investigate a realistic scenario, compare alternative approaches, tune decisions and document remediation.
Practical. Complete a case-based lab using multiple evidence sources and a verification checklist.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 03Social platform verification and impersonation5 h
Coverage. Investigate a realistic scenario, compare alternative approaches, tune decisions and document remediation.
Practical. Complete a case-based lab using multiple evidence sources and a verification checklist.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 04Image metadata and geolocation validation5 h
Coverage. Investigate a realistic scenario, compare alternative approaches, tune decisions and document remediation.
Practical. Complete a case-based lab using multiple evidence sources and a verification checklist.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 05Breach exposure and credential safety4 h
Coverage. Investigate a realistic scenario, compare alternative approaches, tune decisions and document remediation.
Practical. Complete a case-based lab using multiple evidence sources and a verification checklist.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 06Threat actor intelligence and IOC enrichment4 h
Coverage. Investigate a realistic scenario, compare alternative approaches, tune decisions and document remediation.
Practical. Complete a case-based lab using multiple evidence sources and a verification checklist.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 07Corporate attack-surface mapping4 h
Coverage. Investigate a realistic scenario, compare alternative approaches, tune decisions and document remediation.
Practical. Complete a case-based lab using multiple evidence sources and a verification checklist.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 08Misinformation and source triangulation4 h
Coverage. Investigate a realistic scenario, compare alternative approaches, tune decisions and document remediation.
Practical. Complete a case-based lab using multiple evidence sources and a verification checklist.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 09Investigation notes and provenance4 h
Coverage. Investigate a realistic scenario, compare alternative approaches, tune decisions and document remediation.
Practical. Complete a case-based lab using multiple evidence sources and a verification checklist.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Multi-system case: independently correlate artifacts, prioritize findings and propose tested remediation.
20% knowledge checks, 60% hands-on practical, 20% evidence-based reporting Recommended pass: 70% overall with mandatory completion of safety and evidence checkpoints.
Final exam
A 24-hour practical exam in a hosted lab, then 24 hours to submit your report. Recommended pass: 70% overall with mandatory completion of safety and evidence checkpoints. Attempts are free until you pass. The exam opens 7 days after purchase.
Curriculum
9 modules · 60 hours of guided learning · self-paced, with hands-on labs
Job-oriented, scenario-led progression in hacky certified osint investigator. Exercises are conducted only in authorized training environments. The level builds on previous levels while adding distinct techniques, deeper evidence requirements and more complex capstones.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 2 or equivalent professional experience; comfortable with independent investigations.
Tool stack: SpiderFoot, Maltego CE, theHarvester, Amass, Shodan, crt.sh, ExifTool, OpenCTI
15h guided instruction + 33h guided/independent practical labs + 12h reading, review and assessment. These are total learning hours, not 60 hours of live lectures.
Module 01Breach exposure and credential safety7 h
Coverage. Lead an integrated assessment, validate assumptions, automate repeatable checks and produce defensible findings.
Practical. Complete a scenario-driven challenge, defend findings, and validate controls or mitigations.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 02Threat actor intelligence and IOC enrichment7 h
Coverage. Lead an integrated assessment, validate assumptions, automate repeatable checks and produce defensible findings.
Practical. Complete a scenario-driven challenge, defend findings, and validate controls or mitigations.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 03Corporate attack-surface mapping7 h
Coverage. Lead an integrated assessment, validate assumptions, automate repeatable checks and produce defensible findings.
Practical. Complete a scenario-driven challenge, defend findings, and validate controls or mitigations.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 04Misinformation and source triangulation7 h
Coverage. Lead an integrated assessment, validate assumptions, automate repeatable checks and produce defensible findings.
Practical. Complete a scenario-driven challenge, defend findings, and validate controls or mitigations.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 05Investigation notes and provenance7 h
Coverage. Lead an integrated assessment, validate assumptions, automate repeatable checks and produce defensible findings.
Practical. Complete a scenario-driven challenge, defend findings, and validate controls or mitigations.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 06Automated collection and rate limits7 h
Coverage. Lead an integrated assessment, validate assumptions, automate repeatable checks and produce defensible findings.
Practical. Complete a scenario-driven challenge, defend findings, and validate controls or mitigations.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 07Graph analysis and link assessment6 h
Coverage. Lead an integrated assessment, validate assumptions, automate repeatable checks and produce defensible findings.
Practical. Complete a scenario-driven challenge, defend findings, and validate controls or mitigations.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 08Intelligence sharing and TLP6 h
Coverage. Lead an integrated assessment, validate assumptions, automate repeatable checks and produce defensible findings.
Practical. Complete a scenario-driven challenge, defend findings, and validate controls or mitigations.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Module 09OSINT investigation capstone6 h
Coverage. Lead an integrated assessment, validate assumptions, automate repeatable checks and produce defensible findings.
Practical. Complete a scenario-driven challenge, defend findings, and validate controls or mitigations.
Evidence. annotated observations, reproducible steps, risk/impact notes and a concise technical recommendation.
Professional engagement: plan, execute and defend a complex scenario with peer review and executive/technical reporting. HACKY SECURITY | CERTIFICATION CURRICULUM | 2026 3
20% knowledge checks, 60% hands-on practical, 20% evidence-based reporting Recommended pass: 70% overall with mandatory completion of safety and evidence checkpoints.
Final exam
A 48-hour scenario exam, assessed on your written report. Recommended pass: 70% overall with mandatory completion of safety and evidence checkpoints. Attempts are free until you pass. The exam opens 7 days after purchase.
What you receive
Course author
Gaurav Sharma
Founder & CISO, Hacky SecurityOffensive and Defensive Security Expert
Gaurav founded Hacky Security and leads its SOC, curriculum and AI security work. He has trained more than 40,000 professionals and has taught AI security at IIT Madras.
Frequently asked questions
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