The OSINT Breakthrough That Reshaped a Career Path

At Kase Scenarios, we believe the best way to grow as an analyst is to step into the investigation. Our scenarios drop you into realistic cases that mirror the experience of real OSINT work—so you can build skills that actually stick. 

Pamela Dean is a great example of how powerful that kind of training can be. With decades of experience in programming, cybersecurity, and web design, she stumbled into OSINT almost by accident—but quickly realized it was the perfect fit for her curiosity, technical background, and investigative mindset. 

In this interview, Pamela shares her path into OSINT, how she found Kase Scenarios, and why scenario-based training became a turning point in her career. 

Here’s what she had to say…

Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background?

I am a certified Open-source Intelligence Analyst with a background in IT including application development, web design, cybersecurity, programming and network administration. I transitioned into OSINT after realizing how much I enjoyed the challenge of uncovering information using open sources. My professional focus includes due diligence, insider threat monitoring, and digital investigations. I’m currently pursuing remote contract work and continue to sharpen my skills through platforms like CTFs and scenario-based training.

What got you interested in OSINT?

I’ve always had a deep curiosity about how information flows online and at age 16, I had a summer job as a programmer for an insurance company. I went on to become a programmer for decades and in 2014, I switched to website design and started my own web design company. Nine years later, I noticed that my business website visitor traffic had plummeted. My business phone stopped ringing. I also noticed oddly named referral URLs were linking to my site. I started to investigate and discovered a rogue CloudFlare server was rerouting my web traffic back to a website that sold web traffic to anyone who would pay. This path of discovery opened my eyes to the power of intelligence gathering but I didn’t know at the time that this process was called OSINT. When I discovered what this journey was called, it clicked instantly; OSINT was the perfect combination of research, critical thinking, and my decades of tech skills. It also aligned with my desire to do meaningful work, whether that’s helping solve real-world problems or protecting organizations.

How did you hear about Kase Scenarios, and what made you try it?

I initially heard about Kase Scenarios through the broader OSINT community while participating in CTFs and following professionals on LinkedIn and social media. What drew me in was the focus on realism. Kase offers not just puzzles, but training that mirrors real-world investigations. That was exactly what I needed to push my skills further.

Which scenarios have you completed, and which was your favorite?

I’ve completed six scenarios from Kase, and they are all superb but my favorite is The Vanishing of Rosie Parker where you assume the role of Jack Stone, an OSINT analyst assisting the UK police in a high-profile missing persons investigation. The clincher to this scenario is that you must hand in an actual report of your investigation which then gets reviewed by the team at Kase Scenarios. 

How has Kase Scenarios helped you develop your OSINT skills?

Kase has sharpened my ability to connect dots across multiple OSINT tools and resources and to verify sources effectively. I learned how to use Google Earth maps, isolate frames in videos to determine license plate numbers, and so much more. It forced me to slow down and think critically about digital footprints, which was incredibly satisfying and rewarding. It helped me realize when to pivot when I was actually getting deeper in another rabbit hole. The realism of the cases helped me build workflows that I now apply in actual investigations. It’s also boosted my confidence in documenting and communicating findings clearly which is something essential in client work and reporting.

Do you feel more prepared for real-world OSINT work after completing them?

Absolutely. Kase Scenarios doesn’t teach tools, it trains you to think like an OSINT analyst. The scenarios mirror the ambiguity and complexity of real investigations, which has helped me become faster, more accurate, and better at distinguishing intelligence from noise.

What would you say to someone on the fence about trying Kase Scenarios?

I’d say if you’re serious about leveling up your OSINT skills, this is one of the best ways to do it. You won’t just learn how to use tools, you’ll learn why and when to use them. Plus, you’ll gain experience solving problems you’ll actually face in the field. It’s an investment in your future. In fact, I would go even further and say that if I had not discovered Kase Scenarios, I don’t think I would have remained in the field because there is no training platform out there that places you directly into the driver’s seat. You know exactly what you are getting into.

How do you see OSINT—and Kase Scenarios—playing a role in your future career?

OSINT is central to the work I want to do, whether that’s helping locate missing persons, assessing risks, or investigating insider threats. Kase Scenarios plays a key role in keeping me sharp and prepared. I see it as part of my long-term training toolkit, something I’ll keep returning to as I grow in the field and because OSINT is such a huge field, it is impossible to stop learning something new.

Pamela’s journey shows how curiosity, determination, and the right training can shape a career path. What began as a chance discovery of OSINT turned into a meaningful shift. We’re grateful to have played a part in her story by helping her continue to grow and sharpen her investigative skills.

Want to try Pamela’s favorite scenario? Try The Vanishing of Rosie Parker 👉 https://kasescenarios.com/the-vanishing-of-rosie-parker