OPSEC is everyone's business Published Sept. 8, 2010 By Master Sgt. Ralph Cook 99th Air Base Wing Plans Office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Operations Security is incorporated into all aspects of military operations from day-to-day operations into contingencies. While OPSEC does not deal with classified information, it falls under sensitive or Critical Information. Critical Information is specific facts about friendly intentions, capabilities, operations and other activities vitally needed by adversaries to plan and act effectively, so to guarantee failure or unacceptable consequences for the friendly mission. The purpose of the OPSEC program is to ensure personnel are familiar with the potential threats related to their unit, critical information for the mission it supports, job-specific OPSEC indicators and the OPSEC countermeasures they will execute. The "Five Step OPSEC Process" is designed to protect our critical information: 1. Identification of Critical information · What information are we trying to protect? 2. Analyze the Threat · Who are the adversaries, what are their capabilities, intent and opportunity to exploit our weaknesses? 3. Analyze our Vulnerabilities · Where and how can the adversary collect, analyze and exploit our information? 4. Assess the Risk · Threat + Vulnerability = Risk · What is the probability that an adversary will exploit a weakness in our operation? Consider the impact to the mission. 5. Application of Appropriate OPSEC Measures · Based on the asset's importance. · Can we reasonably protect the info? · Is it cost effective? · Balance operational efficiency with OPSEC. · Coordinate countermeasures with next level of command. · Countermeasures can become indicators. · Reduce vulnerability. Social networking (Facebook, My Space, and Twitter) is not a new concept, but the ability to access them from a government computer is. OPSEC should play a vital role in how we access and utilize those social networks. Inappropriate posting of information and failure to follow established OPSEC measures could put people and the mission at risk. It is everyone's responsibility to practice good OPSEC principles, whether you are talking on the phone, sending an email, using social networks or having lunch at an off -base establishment. The conversations you have are susceptible to monitoring by our adversaries. If you think someone has been watching or listening to you or has solicited information from you, contact your supervisor, OPSEC program manager, antiterrorism officer or Air Force Office of Special Investigations immediately. Even the smallest loss of information can cause a ripple effect. For more information of DoD policy and guidance for social media usage go to http://socialmedia.defense.gov/
