Posted on 01/25/2006 5:18:57 PM PST by SandRat
ARLINGTON, Va. (Army News Service, Jan. 24, 2006) -- Fewer people would know about a deployment or operation if you screamed it out at the Superbowl than if you posted it on a Web log or blog.
Common sense will tell you not to discuss sensitive subjects on the streets of Baghdad. The same common sense should apply on the highways of cyberspace. Soldiers need to keep this in mind, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it could land them in a world of trouble.
The technology of communication is a double-edged sword and often the sharper edge is being used against you. There have been too many instances of sensitive information being made public. For example one officer posted a picture of his tactical operations center or TOC, complete with secret documents showing troop rotations.
Another Soldier in theater posted when his unit’s laundry runs were. That information has IED opportunity written all over it.
The list of what should not be posted on an unsecured site or sent via unsecured communication channels is almost endless. It includes the obvious like troop movements, operational details, TDYs, planning issues and any classified material. But it also includes any personal information – information that could be used to put you, your fellow soldiers or even your own family at risk.
This is also a matter of situational awareness; knowing what seemingly innocent information could be useful to the enemy. Each unit’s operational security professional needs to advise supervisors on means to prevent the release of sensitive information.
But every Soldier, regardless of rank and position, has a personal responsibility to safeguard what makes it onto the Internet. In order to ensure that sensitive and unauthorized information is not posted, check with your immediate supervisor for approval before your next blog entry or site update. More information on OPSEC can be found at https://opsec.1stiocmd.army.mil/io_portal/Public/Pages/Sections.cfm?Section=Opsec
This is a very serious matter and the fallout from even one instance of releasing unauthorized information can be severe. Senior Army commanders have clearly stated that the Army must "hold people accountable that place others at risk."
Relevant punitive measures are spelled out in AR 25-2 and are worth a thorough reading.
Soldiers have been fined and demoted because of information put on a blog that could have helped the enemy. But the consequences of allowing mission and personal information to get out is more dangerous than simply running the risk of a fine; It could get your fellow Soldiers killed and even put your family members in harm’s way.
Psychologically, keeping information tightly guarded is a challenge, especially for soldiers in a wartime environment a long way from friends and family. There is a great urge to connect and let people know what is going on.
Often it seems that just a little bit of information can’t hurt. Everyone needs to remember that there are many ears and eyes focusing on these little pieces of information.
A terrorist manual found in Afghanistan stated, 80 percent of information gathered on the enemy (you) is gathered openly! The technical abilities, resourcefulness, patience and determination of enemy operatives cannot be underestimated –watch what you blog!
(Editor’s note: Information provided by the G6 Information Assurance Office.)
OPSEC Story PING!!!
I wonder if anyone is monitoring the purchase of batteries and solar panels to run those laptops and computers?lol
I've worried about stuff online before.
I remember being told that you never let out any info about any deployment. No matter how seemingly-minor the info: You never know if that little piece might be the one piece necessary to fill in the puzzle.
There is no "unsend" button on the keyboard.
Why, how strange and farfetched this is!
It's as preposterous as flying FOUR airliners into
public buildings.
I just hope that no one lets the jihadists know that we captured Zarqawi, turned him as a double agent, and then set him loose to gather intel for us. I worry about his safety if the jihadists found out that he was on the CIA's payroll.
Preposterous
I just can't see how loose lips on the internet chat sites can compete with the Washington Post, N.Y. Times, and members of Congress/Senate/Whitehouse (the last one at least) in security risks.
The worst is showing photos of our guys and telling where they are from and that they have family there. Google is just too easy to look up some address info..You get the idea.
OT, but this reminds me of a story a brigade commander once told me.
He said when he was a LT, they would get these comms from the Pentagon and everybody would start jumping through flaming hoops and standing on their heads trying to respond.
Then he got stationed at the Pentagon and learned the deal.
He said now (as a Bde Cdr in Germany), when they got comms from the Pentagon and people would start freaking, he'd bellow, "Find me the &%$^ pinhead who sent me THIS! I can guarantee some Major in DESCOPS fell asleep and his head hit the 'distribution ALL' key on his keyboard!"
I also heard him once tell a young soldier whose eyes were glazing over at some desk in a tent somewhere, "Watch out, Private, F2 is the launch key."
BTTT
touche'
If you have AOL and e-mail something to somebody that is also on AOL, you certainly can UNSEND the e-mail.... Just click on Status of mail you sent. If it has not been read yet, you can choose to unsend it...
Loose lips will get you a new a-hole.
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