Nico Dekens
ABOUT
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Nico Dekens
Nico Dekens is the owner of Dutch Osint Guy Intelligence Services and an All Source Analyst who specializes in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), online Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Online investigations. Nico eats, sleeps, and lives everything which has to do with OSINT, online investigations, intelligence gathering and analysis. He has over 20 years’ experience as an (all source) Intelligence Analyst in Dutch Law Enforcement. There, he analyzed murder cases, international narcotics cases, stolen art cases, gang violence cases, political disturbance cases. Investigated and analyzed online jihadist groups & conducted several online covert virtual HUMINT investigations.
Known online as @Dutch_OsintGuy, Nico is very active within the OSINT community. As the owner of Dutch Osint Guy Intelligence Services, Nico provides consultancy and training for Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), risk assessments, keynotes, security awareness, and implementation of structured team methodologies. He is also a co-founder of the OSINTCurio.us project.
Nico chose to be an OSINT Specialist and Cyber Intelligence Analyst because he wanted to help to make the world a safer place and because OSINT is one of the fastest fields in the cyber realm, with an ever-changing landscape. This helps him to remain in a constant state of learning and giving back what he’s learned to others who also want to make this (digital) world a safer place.
Before he became a SANS instructor, Nico helped set up the OSINT units within the Dutch Government as well as train and educate thousands of government employees on how to work in structured teams and perform excellent online investigations.
Nico is a SANS Instructor for SEC497 Practical Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and lead author of SEC587: Advanced Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Gathering and Analysis. As an instructor, he uses practical real-world examples as much as possible. “Being an instructor isn't one-way traffic; it is a dynamic process between the student and instructor” Nico says. He is also a faculty member of the SANS Technology Institute, an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and multiple winner of the National Cyber League competition.
With all his OSINT and intelligence gathering and analysis experience that he brings to the table, Nico is able to share his unique experiences with his students on Open-Source Intelligence.
Among his biggest career highlights, he is proud of helping to stop terrorists from executing their attacks and stopping child predators. It’s his goal to keep the world safe and help those who are not able to defend themselves. Nico has had students come back to him years later, thanking him for techniques he taught them that played a role in their investigations.
Nico has been honored by Head of Europol, the DHS, and NATO for his efforts in the OSINT field. He’s received a letter of gratitude from the Dutch Military Cyber Intelligence and Cyber Defense department. He’s also been honored by Dutch Law Enforcement for his efforts in counter terrorism and online investigations.
Nico holds certifications as a Police Detective, Operational Intelligence Analyst, Tactical Intelligence Analyst, Strategical Intelligence Analyst, Open-Source Intelligence Analyst, Cyber Intelligence Tradecraft Professional, Online Counter Terrorism Specialist.
Nico is the 2023 Open Source Intelligence Champion of the Year, presented by the OSMOSIS Institute.
Nico is a typical gadget nerd. When he’s not teaching, he likes to play around and test new gadgets that are closely related to the cyber field. So Raspberry pi, esp8266, esp32, microbits, iot devices are things he likes to learn more about. He also likes to work-out and play basketball. He’s also a collector of unique sneakers.
Currently Nico is working as Director of Intelligence & Collection Innovation at ShadowDragon.
SERVICES
Training
With over two decades of training and teaching experience Nico can train you or your team learning all there is to know about OSINT.
Research Or Investigate
Do you have a need to outsource research? We can help you find actionable intelligence used decades of experience en techniques. You ask the question(s) we investigate!
Key Note
Looking for an introduction keynote into OSINT? Nico can give low-level as well as advanced keynoted about OSINT and all the niche topics within OSINT and Online investigations.
Implement OSINT
Want to implement OSINT within your company using structured methodologies and tam techniques? We can help build your team to become the best and most efficient in Open-Source Intelligence Gathering & Analysis.
Work Shops
Nico can provide your company or team with low-level as well as advanced workshops about OSINT and all the niche topics within OSINT and Online investigations.
Risk Assesments
We do risk assessments of companies, individuals and more. Ask us about the various options we provide.
Dutch Osint Guy Intelligence Services has been tested by the Centre for Post Intitial Education Netherlands (CPION) on the principles of care, legal certainty, reasonableness, reliability and trustworthiness. Dutch Osint Guy Intelligence Services complies with the CRKBO registration with the quality code for training institutions for short vocational education.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
UEA Police analyst
Nico! Amazing, expert and smart delivering the content and explaining the complex topics. One of the best Instructors I have ever dealt with.
Italian Cyber threat Analyst
Nico is a very competent instructor and thanks to his past experience he always manages to bring the theory discussed in class to real life use cases
FBI Employee
Thanks for being very patient with all of us. I appreciate the inclusiveness of your language when you say guys and gals, instead of referring to all of us as guys when there are women in the session.
NYPD Detective
An authority in OSINT. Great to learn from him.
Dutch Law Enforcement OSINT detective
Nico is a real specialist both in OSINT and in teaching.
NATO Cyber Threat Intelligence analyst
Nico's delivery and enthusiasm for the subject matter was incredibly motivating and facilitating the easy ingestion of the course material. Specifically with Section 2, Nico's experience as an OSINT practitioner and CT expert, was on full display. His insights were fantastic.
Customs and Tax investigator
Nico is an effective teacher who has a visible love for OSINT. Enthusiastic about the various topics. He is also committed to the success of his students. This is apparent from his infectious enthusiasm for the topics and the enthusiasm with which he stands in front of the class and supports the students. He is always willing to make time for them and help them.