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Maintaining Operational Security in a Social World

Operational Security

September 3, 2015, by D.M. McCauley – With network firewall breaches and cybercrime on the rise, maintaining Operational Security (OPSEC) is more important than ever for Soldiers and Sailors. Our lives and social media have become increasingly entwined, and it is easy to let slip sensitive information that could jeopardize the mission at hand. Private servers can be hacked and sensitive unclassified documents can leak. Such a gaffe can harm your military career and result in judicial punishment. Preventing data breaches before they happen is the basis of Operational Security. Every completed puzzle begins with a few small pieces. By the same token, repeated small innocuous unclassified leaks can grow to form a greater classified security breach.

The U.S. Military has embraced social media. Used correctly, it can become a tool for reaching a vast audience. The internet allows us to share content at a speed and magnitude previously only dreamed of. This is a true double-edged sword, as open-source intel (OSINT) provides more than 80% of the information used by the intelligence communities of the world.

Your internet conduct is a direct reflection of you and your Command. Anything you say online can and will be used against you should it cast negative or dangerous light upon your Branch of Service. There is no way of knowing who may see your post. Seemingly innocent posts on social media can contain dangerous information. A single mistake can leak locations, maneuvers, operations, deployments, and strengths. Once posted you lose all control over that information. Even deleting a post from Facebook does not permanently remove it from their database, as Facebook records everything you say, do, and visit while in their domain.

 

OPSEC applies to every action you take. It must be applied to your relationships, network, computer systems, planning procedures, and all communication. It must be practiced deliberately and consistently. Assume you are being watched and act accordingly.

An insidious way that information can unintentionally be leaked is through geo-tagging. Many modern smartphones, cameras, and tech devices will record your geographical location. This is often visible in the image file properties or included social media posts, and it can potentially reveal the location of a classified operation. This is best evidenced by the Russian soldier who took a selfie in Ukraine, despite assertions from Vladimir Putin’s Administration that they were not there. Soldiers and other professionals with access to sensitive and often classified information must be vigilant at all times when handling such material.

How do we prevent the leak of sensitive information? As a deterrent to external leaks, intelligence and military organizations typically employ in-house cybersecurity specialists combined with sophisticated firewalls, intranet, and backup measures. Some organizations maintain large hard-copy paper databases since the safeguarding of such is more straightforward.

Before any military personnel or government official is granted access to classified information, they must participate in a lengthy and in-depth briefing that outlines the proper information handling procedures. They sign and verify that they will obey the rules and regulations of material handling and dissemination. A key component of this agreement is that you will only access and discuss such information (and related information) in designated secure areas, using specifically purposed and secured systems.

Vigilantly guard your clearance and sensitive information by remaining cautious about what information you share and store online. Discretion is often the better part of valor.

About the Author: D.M. McCauley is a former U.S. Navy sailor who worked in Intel. After the service he has dedicated his time to writing and traveling with his significant other.

Photo Credit: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht/Released

Related Posts:

  • Social Media Users Should Practice Operational SecuritySocial Media Users Should Practice Operational Security
  • Keeping Our Military Safe on Social MediaKeeping Our Military Safe on Social Media
  • Military Members: Use Facebook ResponsiblyMilitary Members: Use Facebook Responsibly
  • Avoid Online Dangers and Unfriendly Users on Social MediaAvoid Online Dangers and Unfriendly Users on Social Media
  • 5 Things Sailors Need to Know About Social Media, Phishing, Security5 Things Sailors Need to Know About Social Media, Phishing,…
  • Taking a Bite Out of Cyber CrimeTaking a Bite Out of Cyber Crime

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Acting Secretary Pleased With Progress of Coalition to Defeat ISIS

FEBRUARY 19, 2019 – Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan said he is pleased with the progress of the coalition to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and he reiterated America’s steadfast support for the effort. Shanahan spoke following a meeting of coalition defense ministers in Munich this morning. “As a 79-member team, […]

Army Secretary Honors Top Recruiters

FEBRUARY 6, 2019 – Traveling about half the time of the year as a recruiter, Staff Sgt. Jon McCoy heavily relies on his wife to take care of their toddler and home. “The whole reason why I’m here is the support that my wife is able to provide,” he said Monday afternoon before a ceremony […]

How TAP Helps Transitioning Service Members Navigate the Intricacies of Higher Education

NOVEMBER 20, 2018 – Navigating the intricacies of higher education can be a challenge – and transitioning service members and veterans have many obstacles to traverse to achieve success – but there is help available. Melinda Manyx, curriculum program manager, Department of Defense (DoD), Transition to Veterans Program Office (TVPO), spoke to conference attendees at […]

New Army App Provides Mobile Access to HR, Pay Records

FEBRUARY 13, 2019 – The Army has released a new human resources mobile application for the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS-A) that allows Soldiers to access their personnel records using a mobile phone or tablet. IPPS-A is the Army’s next generation human resources and pay system that revolutionizes the way the Army […]

Federal Tax Changes for Military, Spouses

JANUARY 28, 2019 – Most service members and their families will see a reduction in their tax bills this year, but there are a number of changes in U.S. federal tax laws that they need to be aware of, said Army Lt. Col. Dave Dulaney, the executive director of the Pentagon’s Armed Forces Tax Council. […]

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