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

[Navy for Moms Admins]

We are working on adjustments to our guidelines to reflect a stricter policy on uploaded media and will be calling out the guidelines regarding Photo/Video submissions on their respective upload pages. Thanks for bringing this up :)

[Rose R]

I believe that posting a clear summary of OPSEC rules at the top of the sign up page would be helpful in this matter. I am surprised at the numbers using last names. It may not be the sailors last name but if it is the mom's maiden name it can be tracked back to the sailor easily.

[Regina]

I am very happy to see many take to heart the severity of violating OPSEC guidelines. It's amazing the amount of information that is shared, that is otherwise deemed to be borderline, or past the point. Once it's posted-it is out there for all eyes to see.

I am also very happy to see N4M working on OPSEC with this website.

Thank you N4M's!

[Rena Alegria]

GOOD POINT TO MAKE.

[Rena Alegria]

Do people really NOT use their brains when posting? Shheeshhh... I want to preserve my families life cycle not cut it short. Great saying... and has truth in so many of life situations... loose lips sink ships... no doubt just not by my hand! Thank you for your blog and information here. Very insightful.

Rena Alegria

[Rena Alegria]

Thank you for your information.... as I stated before it is appreciated and insightful. I have already made changes to my profile and had a talk with my daughter and father... *family is military all around* I am torn and do not want to risk my family and I am certain of that for any mother here. Having said this, there does have to be a line where you can show your pictures and have some guidelines that are posted. Honestly I was so happy to find this site I did not hesitate to post information, that may have been too much in the pictures. I also deleted my last name as we do not share the last name but I still want to protect them. I know that it is impossible to go to everyones site and personally check this out for them and that would not be fair to one person to do that to either... is there perhaps, as others have stated a way to post a brief summary on the homepage or where you start your membership that states these things? To be used as a guide in the edit homepage section? Just an idea also.... I think personally that it would help a vast group of ppl to know what is what, without making it into a fear factor situation where you just hope you are doing the right thing by your child/family/friend member.

I was thinking perhaps another idea is to have another tab that one can be encouraged to read for the protection of themselves and Navy loved ones. The other thing that may help others is to not give your exact location when filling in the fields for this information for the profile part. Anything that could pose an even ~POSSIBLE~ or ~QUESTIONABLE~ threat to our troops in any way... or selves and those left behind to fight for them at home. Sad but true... yes we need to fight for them even in this land they swear to protect..... Just some simple but basic rules of thumb to follow... as suggestions to perhaps help out here. Hope it does.

Thank you again.

Alegria

PS I am very tired so I am sorry if I am redundant here... I tried not to be. blessings.....

[Mamma Mary]

I'm a little suspicious of ConcernedNavyMom. When someone's profile name implies they're a mom but then lists their sex as Male and, only posts the same comment in 3 different groups....sounds fishy to me.

[Mamma Mary]

Whoever created the site for whatever reason doesn't really matter to me. I've developed wonderful friendships with other Navy moms that I have no doubt will last for a lifetime.

[Achseh]

I was not happy about it, to be honest. I think it's somewhat deceptive and manipulative on their part to do so. I've blogged about this before.

My son was recruited without concern for his father or his mother's opinions, thoughts or concerns, so if that was their intent, they failed!

However, I'm still here because there are moms who need this site and if I can help someone, or share the truth with them or help them understand topics such as OPSEC, then I guess I can do that because the Navy sure doesn't. Navy moms need to stick together. :o)

[Achseh]

"My personal belief is that Recruiting would like to have us thinking that the Navy is really, really cool and that's about it."

Wonderfully put and I agree completely.

I'm not at the disadvantage many families are in because I was a Navy wife for 23 some years and know the good, the bad and the ugly. However, there are many out there that only hear the "cool" and need that reality check.

[Sheryl]

My son has taught me this from day 1, for the safety of all of the men and women use restraint in what is mentioned in this site and anywhere else you may email. You never know where it will end up, like it said in the article even in public, be careful I don't share to much about where he is or what he does. As wierd as it sounds I don't even elaborate with many family members.

[Anti M]

Unless, like me, the moms are using a different alias in both places. I suppose a determined person could figure out my sailor's name and such, but it would take a lot of reading and searching. Being an aunt not a mom makes for some distance, but yeah, transparency on the internet has to be a giant headache for the military.

On another tangent, I was watching CNN this morning and the Salute the Troops section came on. They announced that a friend of so-and-so Marine was proud of him, and where they were from, and that they'd be happy when he came home... and gave the date! I don't blame CNN, but sheesh, that's some terrible OPSEC! Yes, give the date the troops come home to a public media outlet. THINK!