OPSEC ‘Loose Lips Sink Ships’

[Hoppi aka Angie]

It is time to get this topic at the top of the pages again.

Please do not post anything about Ship movement's, when they deploy, where they are, anything. Yes some of the information can be found in the news, but that does NOT mean that people on here should post it. Even if your Sailor tells you when a Ship will be making a deployment does NOT mean that you can post that information here, this is a public site.



By Journalist 1st Class Cindy Gill, NAVEUR Public Affairs

LONDON (NNS) -- Within the Navy, the odds of making it through boot camp without hearing ‘Loose Lips Sink Ships’ are improbable. Though the slogan is old, it still embodies the basic principle of Operational Security, or OPSEC.

OPSEC is a multi-faceted concept that strives to prevent the inadvertent compromise of sensitive or classified activities, capabilities or intentions. According to Gunnery Sgt. Fred Wilson, assistant OPSEC officer and OPSEC program manager at Navy Europe Headquarters in London, OPSEC involves a relatively simple five-step process that anyone can use.

- Identify critical information. The information you have that could assist an adversary in any way.

- Analyze the threat to that information. Does an adversary have the capability to collect or use the information, and if so, how?

- Analyze the vulnerabilities. How is the critical information relayed in the course of your daily duties and how is it protected?

- Assess the risk. How likely is it that the information could be compromised?

- Develop countermeasures. What can you do to protect the information from being disclosed?

“These steps should be taken from the adversary’s perspective,” said Wilson. “In order to catch a bad guy, you have to think like one.”

Wilson explained that OPSEC requires the active participation of every servicemember, regardless of his or her rank or job. He added that the best defense is educating people through annual required training on how to protect critical information.

“It’s a combination of people knowing what information is considered sensitive and then knowing when to shut their mouth,” Wilson said.

To put OPSEC in perspective, Wilson said he has seen Sailors and Marines go to extreme lengths to protect information about things such as surprise birthday parties and promotion lists, yet discuss details of their work freely and openly.

“We need to take that same mindset and apply it to our everyday job,” said Wilson.

One of OPSEC’s worst enemies, Wilson said, is convenience. Making the job efficient may increase productivity, but easier isn’t always better. The path of least resistance, while the easiest to travel, usually offers the least amount of protection.

“The combination of secure communications and physical security, if used consistently and properly, greatly reduce the risk of disclosure,” said Wilson.

Walking to another office to speak face-to-face with someone is more secure than talking on a regular phone. When this is not possible, secure communication equipment include secure email, telephone and fax machines. No matter which method is use, servicemembers should hold conversations using a secure medium.

“These procedures are put in place for a reason,” said Wilson. “If the information is not instantaneously available to you then it’s shouldn’t be readily available to a potential adversary.”

Wilson offered these simple guidelines. Avoid talking about work away from the office. Be aware of your immediate surroundings at all times and who is in the area. Also keep in mind that what is not being said can be information in itself.

“The mere fact that a person is trying talk around a subject will actually raise interest in what is being said and could give clear direction for someone to focus their attention,” said Wilson.

Whether on or off work, a Sailor’s safest bet is to assume nothing.

“Just because a person has a clearance for certain levels of information does not necessarily mean they have the need to know that information,” said Wilson.

Communication comes in many forms, not just verbal and written. Routines and habits also need to be considered with OPSEC in mind. Wilson explained that what seems innocent or insignificant can in fact be a piece of a much larger puzzle.

“A classic example is the increase of pizza delivery at the White House and Pentagon prior to the onset of Operation Desert Storm. We need to think three or four layers down.”

For more Naval Forces Europe news, go to their custom Navy NewsStand Web page at www.news.navy.mil/local/naveur.

OPSEC

[Anti M]

Bumping up for the many new members.

[Steve's Mom]

lol...I was just stopping by to do the same thing :P you beat me to it

[Debbie (Stephen's mom)]

Thank you for the update, we do not every want to do anything to put our sailors in harms way.

[alison n.]

this sooooo true and so easy to forget.
i've been guilty of it myself
best advice i learned along time ago.
Keep Your Eyes Open And Your Mouth Shut!!!

[Maria (BC Mom 10-071)]

Remember that if you can find it on the internet, it isnt a secret and the terrorists know way more than we could possibly talk about on here. If you go to the individual ship websites, which by the way are not password protected), you can see any of their newsletters which show, over time, all the sailors and do stories on them releasing their full names, where they are from, where they went to school, etc. As well as some of the ship's movements. People take this "loose lips" thing entirely too seriously. If the Navy doesn't want the terrorists to know something, do you really think any of you will have that information? They dont give any classified information to our recruits or any of the sailors until the time that it doesnt matter comes. Really.....we are NOT that important to the Navy no matter how much information you think you may have that others may not.....it's all over the internet. Just wanted to clarify so we all stop wasting time telling others what to and what not to discuss here. READ the OPSEC document.......it is only concerned with top secret information and certain ship movement. Giving silly information like names, rates and so forth is NOT a concern of OPSEC.....some people really do have too much time on their hands and REALLY wild imaginations.... This isnt meant to be offensive, I just dont want new people to think they have to talk about their sewing club and recipes and NOT about their kids and their excitement about this new life.

[Anti M]

Hey, I've had the OPSEC and the anti-espionage training, repeatedly as is the Navy's wont to do, I used to have that Top Secret clearance. We were taught the smallest thing could be used for ill. Sure, you can say what rate your sailor is, if they made rate, what awards they have achieved, how they are doing in school, and where the ship has been... and share the sites where the Navy has posted information they have cleared to be released. However, WE do not get to make such decisions when it comes to future movements, the status of the gear of the ships readiness, even the morale of the troops. The cumulative effect of dribs and drabs of information can be staggering. Better safe than sorry when it comes to certain information, and better to be over-cautious than carelessly over-sharing.

Not sharing last names is just good internet practice.

[Navy for Moms Admins]

I posted this elsewhere but I'll repeat it again. Our OPSEC rules are in place for a reason. This community is managed and sponsored by the U.S. Navy. The Community Guidelines, including those specifying OPSEC rules, have been written and vetted through various commands within the Navy and must be followed. Some of them are not specific to Navy security but also to basic internet safety as this site is public. Please take a moment to watch our OPSEC & Internet Safety Video that features Senior Chief Tom Jones.

These are not my rules or rules created by our members' - but the rules the Navy has set forth for this site.

That being said, you can still share news about your Sailors. Just be smart about it!

Elle

[Hoppi aka Angie]

As Anti M said, little bits of info put together with little bit more, and so on leads to information that should not have been put out! You can belive what you want, As for Sailors not getting classified info that is a line of BS, Sailors know way more than they let on to their families. And sometimes they do tell thier families info they should not have told them, than the family lets it slip. Oh-yea like ships movement...people where posting that all over on here. ie "Oh-yea, I will be meeting up on ____ for the tiger cruise. So happy to get to go to ____ finally" I have seen ships movement get changed due to something STUPID someone did.

As Admin said, the rules are the USN's rules! Recommend you follow the website rules.

[Just_A_Spouse]

To "Maria-Kyle's Mom-Ship 10 Div 071"-

There is OPSEC but there is also PERSEC. Personal security is just as important and often the two end up linked.

I have said this elsewhere on the site: plenty of active duty service members are lurking and reading this site, and not just those who recently completed bootcamp or A-school. I'm talking the khakis - the Chiefs and also the Officers.

You do not want your child's senior leadership stumbling across your posts, especially if you are giving enough clues here and there for them to figure out the who/what/when/where. Or as my own husband said when I pointed out something I ran across on this site, "#%&*$, that's one of mine". No last name was posted but first name, job details, some location info and a photo on his mom's page which confirmed it all. Because of the Sailor's rating and job it is/was best he and his family not be open and public with information.

If you want to Sailor to be pulled aside and counseled or even worse, if you want this site censored or eliminated, then by all means go ahead and post anything and everything. People are watching.

[Hoppi aka Angie]

:~}

R/
Chief

[Just_A_Spouse]

I was thinking of you as I posted that. :D
Although I'm not certain how many realize you are active duty much less a Chief, considering how I have seen some folks practically blow off your advice at times.

Of course, you also don't lurk like my dh, lol. He's deleted more than he's posted. That's actually wise of him as he would very quickly be labeled harsh, rude or abrupt. ;)

[Navy for Moms Admins]

To add to this - these rules are not in place to discourage members from posting information or pictures about their Sailors. A good rule of thumb? Talk to your Sailor, let them know you're joining, and see what they feel comfortable with. If, for example, they are a SEAL, their photo should not be posted on the site at all. As stated in our Community Guidelines:

-No photos of current or future SEALs or BUD/s per the NSO/NSW/SEAL community.

There are also lots of privacy settings that you can chose from in regards to your profile, blogs, and photos. Just go to your Settings page (link in upper right corner) and click "Privacy" to make whichever adjustments make you feel more comfortable.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to send me a PM!

Elle