Original broadcast 10/7/25
Presented by Janes Americas & Carahsoft
One of the enduring challenges for the intelligence community is how to share information effectively with allies and partners. Classified intelligence is often bound by restrictions that slow or prevent collaboration, even among close coalition members. Open-source intelligence, however, offers a path forward: it is unclassified, accessible, and inherently shareable. Harnessing its full potential could transform coalition operations and strengthen global security partnerships.
At the AFCEA and INSA Intelligence and National Security Summit, Tom Sweatman, Vice President of Janes Americas, explained why open-source intelligence (OSINT) is so valuable in coalition contexts. “The value of open source is, quite frankly, that it’s unclassified,” he said. “When we’re looking at gaining strategic advantage, it’s about being able to collaborate with partners.” By using information that is already publicly available, nations can share assessments without running afoul of classification barriers.
Still, he acknowledged that significant obstacles remain. The first is governance—knowing what can and cannot be shared. Even when data is unclassified, there can be uncertainty around its use, dissemination, or integration with other sources. Sweatman observed that many in the intelligence community err on the side of caution, withholding information even when sharing would be beneficial. “One of the biggest challenges when it comes to sharing information is just knowing what I’m allowed to share,” he said.
Another barrier is technical. Standards for data formatting, infrastructure for sharing, and mechanisms for managing the flow of information vary across organizations and nations. Without alignment, even the best OSINT cannot be integrated seamlessly into coalition operations. This creates inefficiencies and undermines the timeliness of intelligence.
Sweatman argued that these challenges can be mitigated by leveraging commercial capabilities more effectively. Industry providers already collect and analyze vast amounts of open-source data. By contracting with these companies, governments can expand their access to insights while avoiding duplication of effort. “There’s a whole commercial capability out there that isn’t being fully leveraged,” Sweatman said. “Government should focus on its priorities, and let industry monitor the rest of the world.”
This division of labor is especially important as government analysis capacity becomes stretched. With global threats multiplying, agencies cannot afford to cover every region, every issue, and every source. Outsourcing parts of the OSINT mission to trusted partners allows agencies to concentrate on high-priority areas where government expertise is most needed.
Sweatman also highlighted a risk that Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, raised at the same conference: duplication. Whitworth noted that NGA must ensure it is not buying the same data twice—from different sources or through overlapping contracts. Sweatman agreed, noting that efficiency depends on close dialogue between government and industry. “We don’t want to sell it twice, and government doesn’t want to buy it twice,” he said. Open communication about business models and needs is essential to avoiding waste and maximizing value.
Looking ahead, Sweatman expressed cautious optimism. While 2025 has been a challenging year for budgets and priorities, he is hopeful that collaboration will improve as agencies adapt to new realities. Creative approaches to acquisition, combined with greater reliance on industry, could accelerate progress. But he acknowledged that both government and industry must continue to adapt. “There’s always more we can do on both sides,” he said.
The future of coalition intelligence may well depend on how effectively OSINT is integrated into the fabric of international cooperation. By embracing unclassified sources, aligning standards, and leveraging commercial capabilities, the intelligence community can create a more agile and collaborative environment. For partners around the world, that could mean not only better information but also stronger trust in the United States as a reliable ally.
Key Takeaways
OSINT’s unclassified nature makes it an essential foundation for coalition intelligence sharing.
Governance, technical standards, and procurement efficiency remain key obstacles to seamless information sharing.
Leveraging commercial OSINT providers allows government agencies to focus on priority missions while fostering deeper collaboration with partners.