PHOTO // OSINT digital analysis, investigation laboratory inaugurated at Stefan cel Mare Academy; Moldovan Interior Ministry's employees to receive practical training in digital crimes' investigation

An OSINT digital analysis and open-source intelligence investigation laboratory has been inaugurated at the Stefan cel Mare Academy of the Interior Ministry (MAI). It was procured with the support of the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as part of the Resilient Democracy through Fighting Corruption (REDACT) project.

The new laboratory features modern infrastructure meant to develop skills in identifying, collecting, verifying and analyzing information available in the digital environment. It will serve both the initial training of future police officers and the ongoing professional training of MAI employees and staff of other law enforcement institutions.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin, the leadership of the Stefan cel Mare Academy, representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to Moldova and UNDP Moldova, as well as members of the REDACT project team.

“Today, fraud, drug trafficking, the recruitment of victims of human trafficking and many other illegal activities leave digital traces. That is why, it is extremely important for MAI personnel to be prepared to discover these traces, verify information and transform data into useful evidence for preventing and investigating crimes. I want this laboratory to be the place where future police officers and employees of the internal affairs system learn in practice how to identify relevant sources, verify the authenticity of images and video materials, analyze public data and properly document their findings, while respecting the law and fundamental rights. For me, investing in people and their training means more than technology. It means well-prepared institutions capable of protecting citizens, quickly identifying crimes and responding to new risks in the digital world,” said Daniella Misail-Nichitin.

An important moment was the awarding of diplomas to the first ten graduates of the OSINT training course, who acquired the skills necessary to conduct open-source investigations. The guests also had the opportunity to learn about the laboratory’s infrastructure, technical equipment and possibilities for using it in training activities.

The creation of the laboratory addresses the need to strengthen the capacities of law enforcement institutions in the field of digital investigations, providing a permanent framework for training specialists and applying acquired knowledge in practice. By bringing together an approved training curriculum, qualified trainers and dedicated infrastructure, the academy will be able to regularly organize training programmes adapted to developments in the digital environment.

As part of the REDACT project, the space meant for the laboratory was renovated and equipped with furniture, an air-conditioning system and high-performance IT equipment. The infrastructure includes 15 workstations for participants and one for the instructor, 30 monitors, network and electrical protection equipment, an interactive screen and technical means for conducting videoconferences. The configuration allows practical exercises to be organized, multiple information sources to be analyzed simultaneously and interactive training activities to be conducted.

The Stefan cel Mare Academy contributed to the project, by identifying the space meant for the laboratory and allocating the institutional resources required for its preparation and refurbishment. The institution has also undertaken responsibility for managing, maintaining and making use of the infrastructure, ensuring the conditions for its long-term operation.

The inauguration of the laboratory marks an important step in modernizing professional training and developing capacities for investigating information from open sources. At the same time, it creates new opportunities for training future generations of police officers and continuously improving the skills of specialists of the internal affairs system.