OSINT Source Evaluation Workflow

Google Workspace Prototype Guide

This guide walks you through setting up an automated workflow in Google Workspace using Google Sheets, Apps Script, and Forms to evaluate OSINT sources. It includes steps for grading, cross-referencing domains, and reporting suspicious sources.

1. Create Your Source Evaluation Sheet

Create a new Google Sheet and name it:
OSINT_Source_Evaluation

Tabs to Include:

Sources

Columns:

• Date Added

• Source URL

• Domain

• Source Type (News, Blog, Social, Forum)

• Reliability Grade (A–F)

• Credibility Grade (1–6)

• Matched List (Trusted / Disinfo / Unknown)

• Analyst Notes

• Flag for Review (Yes/No)

Trusted_Domains

Add a list of trusted domains (e.g. bbc.co.uk, reuters.com)

Disinfo_Domains

Add known disinformation domains (e.g. southfront.org, newsfront.info)

2. Set Up a Google Form for Analysts to Submit Suspect Sources

Form Title: Report a Suspicious OSINT Source
Fields:

• Source URL

• Reason for Suspicion

• Optional Notes

Connect this form to a sheet called Reported_Sources.

3. Add Google Apps Script for Domain Matching

i. In your Sheet, go to Extensions > Apps Script

ii. Replace the default code with the following:

javascript
CopyEdit
function onEdit(e) {
  const sheet = e.source.getActiveSheet();
  const row = e.range.getRow();
  const col = e.range.getColumn();
  
  if (sheet.getName() === "Sources" && col === 2) {
    const domainCell = sheet.getRange(row, 3);
    const url = e.value;
    try {
      const domain = new URL(url).hostname.replace("www.", "");
      domainCell.setValue(domain);

      const trustedList = e.source.getSheetByName("Trusted_Domains").getRange("A:A").getValues().flat();
      const disinfoList = e.source.getSheetByName("Disinfo_Domains").getRange("A:A").getValues().flat();
      const matchCell = sheet.getRange(row, 7);

      if (trustedList.includes(domain)) {
        matchCell.setValue("Trusted");
      } else if (disinfoList.includes(domain)) {
        matchCell.setValue("Disinfo");
      } else {
        matchCell.setValue("Unknown");
      }
    } catch (err) {
      domainCell.setValue("Invalid URL");
    }
  }
}

iii. Save the script, name it EvaluateSource, and refresh your Sheet.

4. Conditional Formatting (Optional)

Use colour coding:

• Red for Disinfo

• Yellow for Unknown

• Green for Trusted

This makes it easy to spot problems visually.

5. Dashboards and Alerts (Optional)

Use Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio) to create a live dashboard from your Sources and Reported_Sources sheets.

Set up alerts via Apps Script or webhook integrations (e.g. Slack, Discord, or Gmail) to notify your team when new Disinfo entries are detected.