- Brittany Mason addresses data challenges facing intelligence analysts
- Fivecast ONYX is designed to support OSINT discovery and analysis
- Mason said AI supports, not replaces, analyst judgment
Brittany Mason, pre-sales engineer lead at Fivecast, said government intelligence analysts need automated data fusion platforms to streamline intelligence workflows and improve decision-making capabilities.
As open-source data continues to expand in scale and complexity, the intelligence community is placing growing emphasis on tools and strategies that turn that information into a strategic advantage. The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Intel Summit, taking place this Thursday, Sept. 24, will bring together government and industry leaders for a discussion on how OSINT capabilities are being applied to safeguard sensitive research and protect the nation’s innovation base. The event is just two days away, so book your spot now!
“Manual data handling increases the risk of errors and non-compliance with government regulations that require transparent audit trails and robust governance,” Mason wrote in an article published on Carahsoft.com.
She noted that analysts working with publicly available information face a rapidly expanding data landscape. She cited projections that global data generation will exceed 230 zettabytes in 2026 and surpass 700 zettabytes by 2030.
What Is Fivecast ONYX?
Fivecast ONYX is an AI-powered open source intelligence platform designed to help analysts identify actionable intelligence by drawing on billions of data points collected from millions of sources, including search engines, news outlets, people and company databases, social media platforms, watch lists, online marketplaces and the dark web.
Mason said the platform consolidates data discovery and collection into a single system, applying ongoing AI-driven risk analysis so agencies can move from raw information to usable intelligence more quickly.
How Does AI Support Analysts?
Mason wrote that artificial intelligence is not intended to replace human analysts, though she said analysts who use AI tools will outperform those who do not. She said AI is typically applied to quickly triage and process large volumes of data without the fatigue or attention limitations human analysts may experience.
According to Mason, the technology can surface patterns, relationships, networks and risks that would otherwise be difficult for a human analyst to detect on their own. She said these findings are then routed to human analysts for review, and analyst feedback is used to further refine the technology’s performance.
What Are the Other Fivecast Products?
Beyond ONYX, Mason wrote that Fivecast’s ecosystem includes two additional tools. Fivecast MATRIX is built to identify behavior shifts and emerging threats through continuous, automated assessment, with workflows Mason described as customizable and enhanced by generative AI. Fivecast LUNEX is designed to map the structure of global threat networks, providing analyst-curated data intended to support faster insight into the cybersecurity landscape.
How Does Fivecast Ensure Safe Investigations?
Mason wrote that all Fivecast products are built with security incorporated by design. She said the company’s security controls align with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Special Publication 800-171, and incorporate data encryption, continuous threat monitoring and automated recovery capabilities intended to support system availability and resiliency.
Mason added that the platform’s secure browsing capabilities allow analysts to conduct investigations safely and anonymously, while built-in audit trails and standardized procedures are meant to support consistency and accountability.
