In this episode of Integrity Insights, Filip Brokes is joined by Verena Horne (Director at Berlin Risk) and Davids Alksnis (Consultant at Berlin Risk) to discuss the fundamentals of background checks and due diligence investigations.

The conversation provides a practical overview of how integrity due diligence works in real-world scenarios, why clients rely on external investigators, and how risks are identified, assessed, and communicated.

Key themes discussed

• Background checks vs. due diligence
  The episode clarifies the distinction between the two terms: background checks as an initial screening process, and due diligence as a more in-depth, structured investigation aimed at fully assessing risks.
• Why clients commission investigations
  Clients typically seek due diligence when facing uncertainty around key decisions, such as investments, partnerships, market entry, or senior hires. The core objective is to understand who they are dealing with and what risks may arise.
• Types of risks assessed
  Investigations focus on a wide range of risks, including reputational concerns, source of wealth, sanctions exposure, governance issues, business track record, and behavioural red flags (including online conduct).
• Methodology and approach
  The discussion highlights the importance of a structured methodology based on the intelligence cycle: defining the research question, collecting relevant data, verifying sources, and producing actionable analysis rather than raw information.
• OSINT and human source inquiries
  While open-source research forms the foundation, many cases require human source inquiries to provide context, validate findings, and uncover information not available in public records.
• Jurisdictional challenges
  The availability and reliability of information vary significantly across jurisdictions. Differences in corporate transparency, media landscapes, and cultural norms can materially impact investigative approaches.
• Case example: uncovering fraud
  The episode includes an anonymised case where a seemingly credible company bidding for a major contract was ultimately revealed to be a fraudulent front for an individual with a history of criminal activity.
• Working with limited or excessive information
  Investigators must navigate both data overload and data scarcity. In low-information cases, creativity and alternative data sources become critical, while high-volume cases require careful filtering and prioritisation.
• The impact of AI on due diligence
  AI is increasingly used to process large volumes of information efficiently. However, the discussion emphasises the growing importance of verification, critical thinking, and human judgment, given issues around reliability, consistency, and trust.

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• Website: https://berlinrisk.com/

In this episode of Integrity Insights, Filip is joined by Skip Schiphorst of i-Intelligence, a specialist in multilingual open-source intelligence and online research. Skip manages the company’s language-focused OSINT courses, including Chinese, Russian, and Arabic.

The conversation explores a frequently overlooked aspect of OSINT: how to research effectively in foreign languages even if you do not speak them fluently. Skip explains why accurate searching in Arabic, Chinese, and Russian is about far more than translation, and why cultural, political and linguistic context remains essential despite the rise of AI tools.

Key themes discussed

• Language-based OSINT as a specialist discipline
  Skip explains how i-Intelligence trains analysts, journalists, and corporate investigators to search in foreign languages using the right methodology.
• Why translation alone is not enough
  The discussion highlights the limits of Google Translate, AI tools, and literal transliteration when researching foreign companies, individuals, or media sources. Getting the exact local spelling or company name right is often the key to the entire investigation.
• Culture, politics, and context
  Skip emphasizes that language research cannot be separated from local context. Understanding naming conventions, media ecosystems, religion, politics, and regional culture is often essential to interpreting sources correctly.
• Vetting foreign-language sources
  The episode looks at the challenge of judging the reliability of local sources, especially in politically sensitive environments, and why building human networks and simply asking trusted local contacts can be as important as technical search skills.
• AI versus methodology
  Skip reflects on how analysts increasingly turn to AI first, but argues that strong methodology still outperforms overreliance on large language models. In his view, AI can support research, but it cannot replace sound analytical thinking.
• Do you need to speak the language?
  One of the central themes of the episode is that speaking a language and knowing how to research in it are not the same thing. Skip argues that non-native speakers with strong methodology can often outperform native speakers who lack OSINT training.
• Why learning languages still matters
  The conversation closes on the enduring value of language learning, both for research and for human understanding more broadly, especially at a time of increasing geopolitical fragmentation and polarization.

Links:

Searching the Chinese Internet: Foundations Course

https://i-intelligence.eu/courses/searching-the-chinese-internet-foundations

OSINT: Searching the Russian Internet Course

https://i-intelligence.eu/courses/osint-searching-the-russian-internet-virtual-course

OSINT: Searching the Middle Eastern Internet Course

https://i-intelligence.eu/courses/osint-searching-the-arabic-web

Connect with Skip:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/skip-schiphorst-721bb6200/

Skip's Instagram page where he shares his language learning techniques

https://www.instagram.com/skipmovestolearn/

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/integrity-insights/?viewAsMember=true
• Berlin Risk Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berlinrisk/?viewAsMember=true
• Website: https://berlinrisk.com/

In this episode of Integrity Insights, we are joined by Nico Dekens, a recognized authority in the world of open-source intelligence (OSINT). With over 30 years of experience in the field, Nico shares his insights into the evolving OSINT landscape, the tools and techniques he uses, and the ethical considerations of this critical field. Nico spent over two decades with the Dutch police, working on intelligence and human operations, before transitioning to the private sector where he now leads engineering efforts at Shadow Dragon.

We dive into how OSINT has changed over the years, with new technologies such as AI revolutionizing the process, but also the complexities of using these tools responsibly. Nico shares practical advice on how to start an OSINT investigation, how AI and machine learning are reshaping the future of intelligence, and how to stay up to date in a fast-evolving field. He also gives us a glimpse into his work on high-profile cases, where he uses his investigative skills to piece together puzzles from seemingly limited data.

Key Takeaways:

• The Evolution of OSINT: Nico provides an overview of how OSINT has progressed over the past three decades, with a focus on the increased integration of AI and machine learning in the investigative process.
• Practical OSINT Techniques: Nico explains his approach to conducting investigations, from starting with a name or photo and using facial recognition tools to building actionable intelligence.
• The Ethics of OSINT: Nico discusses the ethical boundaries of OSINT, focusing on the use of publicly available data and the challenges of navigating the dark web and leaks without crossing legal or ethical lines.
• AI and OSINT: While AI tools provide huge advantages in terms of processing large data sets, Nico emphasizes that human judgment remains critical for interpreting and validating the data.

Time Stamps:

• 00:00 – Intro & Background: Nico’s professional journey and his transition from the Dutch police to Shadow Dragon.
• 04:20 – OSINT Techniques: How Nico begins an investigation and the tools he uses, including facial recognition software.
• 10:00 – The Ethics of OSINT: Discussing the ethical challenges and limitations of OSINT, including using publicly available data.
• 15:30 – The Role of AI in OSINT: How AI and machine learning are changing the field and the importance of human oversight.
• 21:45 – The Future of OSINT: The rise of commercial OSINT, network-building in the community, and keeping up with the fast pace of technological change.

Relevant Articles:

• The Slow Collapse of Critical Thinking in AI – Nico’s recent article exploring AI’s limitations in OSINT.
• OSINT is Still a Thinking Game – Discussing the balance between technology and human input in OSINT investigations.

Listen to the Episode:

• Available on Spotify
  , Apple Podcasts
  , and Amazon Music

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Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/integrity-insights/?viewAsMember=true
• Berlin Risk Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berlinrisk/?viewAsMember=true
• Website: https://berlinrisk.com/