About Westside Virtual, Inc.

Meet Pamela Dean, OSC

Founder & OSINT Research Analyst

I’m Pam, founder of Westside Virtual, Inc., an independent research firm specializing in open-source intelligence (OSINT) research, public records, and web infrastructure analysis.

When you engage Westside Virtual, you work directly with me, from the initial discussion through the research and final findings.

My Background

Thirty years of technology behind every answer.

I bring more than 30 years of experience in information technology to my research work, with a professional background spanning technical support, software development, and senior-level application development positions at organizations including the United Nations and Swiss Re America.

In 2014, I founded Westside Virtual, Inc., drawing on decades of technical experience, analytical problem-solving, and an interest in understanding how technology and information connect.

My transition into open-source intelligence allowed me to combine that technical foundation with something I’ve always enjoyed: researching complex questions, following information trails, identifying connections, and finding answers that aren’t always immediately apparent.

• OSC certification, 2025
• Applied Investigations Cohort, Plessas Experts Network, 2026
• Trace Labs missing-persons OSINT competitions
• ICS Dossier™, an ICS/OT threat intelligence platform I created
• KASE Scenarios case scenario submissions

Professional Background

Credentials & Specialized Training

My investigative work combines formal OSINT training, cybersecurity knowledge, and more than 30 years of professional experience in information technology.

My Research Approach

Research is only as strong as its sources.

As an Open-Source Intelligence Certified (OSC) analyst, I approach every question with curiosity, persistence, and a commitment to accuracy.

My advanced training in Applied Investigations under Kirby Plessas further strengthened my methodology, particularly in evaluating sources, verifying information, recognizing assumptions, and distinguishing established facts from reasonable inferences.

Finding information is important. What makes it useful is knowing:

• Where did it originate?
• Can it be independently verified?
• What does it actually establish?

I also understand the limitations of research tools and technologies. I don’t assume that a result is accurate simply because a tool produced it. I examine the sources, question inconsistencies, and look for independent corroboration whenever possible.

And when something cannot be established with confidence, I say so.

Why Work With Me?

Answers you can use to make decisions.

I personally conduct the research, evaluate the sources, and prepare the reports. My work combines decades of technical expertise with specialized OSINT training, attention to detail, and a commitment to clear, defensible conclusions.

I understand that clients are not simply looking for information. They’re looking for answers they can use to make decisions. Whatever the assignment, I approach it with discretion, objectivity, and respect for the facts:

• Public records
• Website history
• Domain and hosting records
• Brand lookalike sites

My goal is to provide clear, well-documented findings that explain not only what was discovered, but also what the sources support, what remains uncertain, and why those distinctions matter.

My Philosophy

My philosophy

Good research is not about collecting the greatest amount of information. It’s about finding relevant information, evaluating it carefully, and presenting conclusions that can withstand scrutiny.

I don’t just want to know what the information says. I want to know why I should trust it.

That’s the standard I bring to my work at Westside Virtual, Inc.