MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- As a service member or civilian stationed at a military installation, everyone possesses information vital to national security.
Information on deployments, missions or on station occurrences contain information sensitive to Operational Security.
“From dependents to privates to the colonel, everything we do has an impact,” said Scott A. Vousboukis, Naval Criminal Investigative Service supervisory special agent. “If we allow people to take and post pictures and videos of this station (online), then that can impact the station’s OPSEC, which can, in turn, affect our safety.”
Enemies of the U.S. have used social media sites to gather information about what is happening within its borders.
“Social media is a great way to communicate with family and friends back in the states and keep in contact,” said Vousboukis. “It’s a great tool for everybody to use, but make sure you use it wisely.”
By Marines using social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or MySpace without proper caution, people with malicious intent may have the oppurtunity to learn what is going on within the U.S. military.
“There are times when people use Facebook or Twitter and (unwittingly) provide information about upcoming deployments or movements,” said Vousboukis.
Even simple posts resembling, “Coming home soon” can tell the enemy about deployment schedules, weak points, and other vital information that could put the U.S. at risk.
Trends enemies can use include common, annual, projected deployments, troop movements, or other OPSEC information.
Other types of vital information which should be guarded include locations, security vulnerabilities, troop movements, military capabilities, law enforcement activities, morale of troops, management decisions, aircraft and ship fleets, facility designs, logistical capabilities and limitations, and personally identifiable information.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Josh B. Smit, a Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic hospital corpsman says he practices safe OPSEC while on social media sites.
“Facebook accounts can easily be faked, and by adding a ‘pretty girl’ you are putting all of your information out to whoever she really is,” said Smit. “Be sure you know who you’re adding before you add them because they could be anyone.”
Adding people who are not personally known can compromise a user’s profile and may give the enemy a chance to learn vital information.
“Fake accounts can receive tons of information,” said Smit.
Fake accounts and the people using them can manipulate a conversation without the original senders even knowing.
These people have the opportunity to change the course of a business, make billions of dollars, or even create international friction.
“The Internet is everywhere and that creates new threats we make sure we are aware of,” said Vousboukis.
Availability of the internet is growing and social media sites are making it easier for enemies of the U.S. to learn more and more about military activity.
“With smart phones, you are allowed to instantly post something online, you have the capability of e-mailing, taking pictures, video, ect.,” said Vousboukis. “With every new technology, there is always going to be more threats to us.”
Some types of information posted online is used to an advantage.
One way to post information to our advantage is to present ourselves and the station in a positive manner to show what the station, as a whole, is capable of, said Andrew R. Samuels, station anti-terrorism officer.
By presenting the station and its military in a positive way, it may deter possible attackers.
“If you see proactive Marines doing strong anti-terrorism measures, strong physical security measures— it makes the enemy think twice,” said Samuels.
Education is a big portion of dealing with OPSEC as well.
Since the use of social media is widely spread and part of our daily lives, the Department of Defense decided to join the social media age. Rules still apply for all DoD members and differ depending on service and duties while on government networks in a work environment.
“OPSEC. We always hear it, always see it, but it’s not practiced as well as it should be,” said Vousboukis.