Original broadcast 5/20/25
Presented by VulnCheck & Carahsoft
Eric Hoffman, Sales Director for Public Sector at VulnCheck, presents a compelling case for precision and speed in the evolving world of open source intelligence (OSINT). As federal agencies grapple with an influx of data, Hoffman argues that the core problem isn't quantity but quality. “No one is asking for more data,” he asserts. “They’re asking for reliable, timely, and structured intelligence that they can trust and act upon.”
But speed alone isn’t enough. Hoffman points to another critical dimension: trust. Agencies can’t take action unless they believe in the data’s accuracy, relevance, and traceability. In the past, many intelligence tools operated as “black boxes,” generating scores or alerts without explanation. That approach no longer meets the expectations of modern intelligence professionals—especially in government, where transparency and accountability are essential.
To address this, VulnCheck has prioritized data provenance. Each insight or alert provided through their platform is backed with context: what the data source is, when it was collected, how it was processed, and why it matters. It’s not just about the “what” but the “why” and the “how.” This level of transparency allows mission partners to defend their actions, brief stakeholders with confidence, and comply with evidentiary standards in sensitive environments like federal law enforcement or cybersecurity investigations.
This demand for clarity isn’t academic. In practical terms, it means the difference between acting on flawed assumptions and making a confident, traceable decision. Hoffman emphasizes that federal customers increasingly expect “show your work” from their vendors—not just outcomes, but the logic and method behind those outcomes.
Another issue Hoffman highlights is consistency. Agencies want to know exactly where to go for specific kinds of intelligence, and they expect providers to deliver in a consistent format every time. VulnCheck’s laser focus on vulnerabilities means users don’t have to wade through general-purpose data lakes to find what they need. Instead, they receive clean, curated intelligence tailored to their role and mission.
That mission-alignment is especially important in an era where the threat landscape is constantly evolving. Cyber actors move quickly, often exploiting zero-days within hours of disclosure. For public sector defenders to keep up, they need intelligence that’s both accurate and immediate. VulnCheck helps provide that edge—not just by identifying vulnerabilities, but by prioritizing them based on real-world exploitability and impact.
Ultimately, Hoffman sees a major shift underway in how OSINT is valued and used. Agencies are moving away from platforms that offer general, unspecific feeds and toward those that deliver relevant, digestible, and validated insights. This new generation of OSINT providers—small, fast, and focused—are helping government defenders make smarter decisions faster.
For OSINT to continue advancing, Hoffman argues, vendors must embrace a new ethos: one that marries technological sophistication with operational humility. It’s not enough to have a powerful tool. That tool must serve the mission, explain itself clearly, and adapt to the ever-changing demands of federal users.
Key Takeaways:
Structured, real-time vulnerability intelligence enables mission partners to act faster than threats evolve.
Data provenance and transparency are essential for trust, usability, and evidentiary compliance.
Smaller, agile OSINT providers are gaining traction by focusing on precision, speed, and mission alignment.
This program was part of the program Innovation in Government: OSINT Edition filmed on location at the OSINT Tech Expo on May 2, 2025.