Dario Beniamini is a SANS Instructor who teaches SEC497: Practical Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), helping professionals develop the investigative mindset and technical fluency to uncover hidden connections, verify data authenticity, and communicate findings with confidence. Through the course’s hands-on labs, students learn to navigate social media, online infrastructure, and digital traces to turn fragmented data into meaningful intelligence that supports real investigations and decision-making.
His career spans nearly two decades in cybercrime investigations, open-source intelligence, and digital forensics. As Presales Engeneer of Nuix and Co-Founder and CEO of Intellexia Srls, Dario has led high-impact projects in anti-fraud, brand protection, and due-diligence intelligence. He has experience in developing and determining appropriate infrastructure for investigations and intelligence solutions, as well as in conducting various types of investigations and training investigators in methodology and solution use. Drawing on his dual experience supporting European law enforcement and corporate security programs, he shows how OSINT principles adapt seamlessly across operational and investigative settings.
He has trained investigators for the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) and the Italian Ministry of Interior, and is a recognized Cybercrime, OSINT, and IP Expert, acknowledged by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) for his expertise in digital forensics, open-source intelligence, and electronic evidence. These experiences shape the course’s applied focus—each lab reflects authentic investigative workflows used across Europe and beyond.
He has served as keynote speaker at numerous European Cyber Security conferences, including recent INTERPOL events such as the 10th INTERPOL Digital Forensics Expert Group Conference in Hong Kong (2025), the INTERPOL DIGITAL FORENSICS WEBINAR '25, and the INTERPOL Conference on AI in Digital Forensics in Tokyo (2025) focusing on the usage of responsible AI strategies and leveraging AI for digital forensics, eDiscovery, and OSINT in secure and air-gapped environments for law enforcement and government authorities.
He holds multiple GIAC certifications, including GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA), GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE), and GIAC Open Source Intelligence (GOSI), and serves as a faculty member of the SANS Technology Institute, which has been designated an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and is a multi-year winner of the National Cyber League competition. His research explores the intersection of OSINT and artificial intelligence, notably in his presentation “No Pain, No Gain: AI in the OSINT Intelligence Cycle,” where he examines how automation and machine learning enhance analytic depth and investigative efficiency. His research examines “Digital Forensics Intelligence (DFINT)” and explores methods for enriching forensic images using OSINT techniques. It considers the limitations of information found in artifacts within forensic images, identifies the types of intelligence required, and outlines data enrichment processes that can be used to contextualize entities in a dataset. The aim is to establish a connection between traditional digital forensics investigations and the added value brought by the intelligence cycle in OSINT.
In class, Dario challenges students to think like investigators—curious, skeptical, and disciplined. He believes effective intelligence work starts with asking the right questions and maintaining rigorous data ethics. Students describe his teaching style as clear, engaging, and rooted in real-world practice. By the end of the week, participants leave not just with tools and techniques, but with the mindset of an investigator who can turn any data trail into actionable intelligence. Outside the classroom, Dario continues mentoring professionals across Europe and experimenting with emerging analysis tools that push the boundaries of modern OSINT.
Qualifications Summary
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Management Engineering, La Sapienza University – Rome, Italy
Master in Fraud and Operational Risk, LUISS Business School – Rome, Italy
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Certificate, West Virginia University
Trainer for European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) and the Italian Ministry of Interior on digital forensics, OSINT, and cybercrime
GIAC Certifications: GCFA, GCFE, GOSI
FOR500 Lethal Forensicator Coin Holder “Ex Umbra in Solem”
Additional Cyber Security and ISO certifications: PECB Certified ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer, PECB Certified ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Audit, IISFA Certified Information Forensics Investigator (CIFI), IICFIP Certified Forensic Investigation Professional (CFIP), CyberTSC Counter Surveillance Technical Master International Certification (CSTMIC)
Member of the following associations: Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), International Information Systems Forensics Associations, (IISFA), International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals (IICFIP), CyberTSC
Dario has great experience and loves to teach, something you can tell right away. Great trainer and performance.
Slide 2 of 3
Dario is clearly a highly experienced investigator with a wealth of knowledge and tips. Really excellent communicator, educator and presenter. Everything I would expect from a good SANS instructor.
Slide 3 of 3
Dario clearly had command of the subject matter and conveyed it in such an interesting manner. Well done!
Slide 1 of 0
(1/0)
Upcoming Training Courses
Here are upcoming opportunities to train with this expert instructor.
