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]

This type of information changes quite a lot during the deployment. The sailors will be told when they can tell their families, and I believe the ombudsman will have it at the appropriate time. Usually about a two week window or so, but don't quote me on that.

[Hoppi aka Angie]

Once you know when they will be coming home DO NOT make it public knowledge.

[Mary]

On the same topic and a little off. Can anyone tell me about this Purple Pig who apparently is a civilian employee on base that everyone on the websites I visit seems to know about. She can apparently give information (not critical information) but information - what information can she give? Who is to say that parents aren't asking about their children and giving their full name. I for one am not comfortable about this at all. How can Purple Pig know all the recruits on that entire base. With the mass amount of recruits that go through there, there is no way. Are we feeding someone the names of our loved ones? How do we know she is real? How do we know she is actually a civilian on base? How do we know she has authority to be taking any information? Call me paranoid, but I am ex-military - Army and I have worked in an AIT Company (Army) and I handled hundreds of recruits for their training. There is no way I could track them all down to inquire. I may have the Purple Pig misunderstood, but I don't like the idea of the possibility of some parents contacting her to inquire about a certain Division or whatever. This country has fallen under attack back on 9/11 and I for one still believe that we (unbeknownst to where they are) are harboring future sleeper terrorists in this country and people need to forget how to spell or type their last names or the names of our ships, bases, etc.l I won't even mention my son's first name anywhere on this website. No one needs to know who HE is. As I said earlier, I may be paranoid but when you live through the first attempt of bombing of the World Trade Center and then these Bas____ finally succeed the second time, you have to stop and wonder. They were here in this country people. Don't forget 9/11. We all too often as Americans get over it and rebound quickly then forget. I am not trying to drudge up the past and hold a resentment, I am trying to explain that these people vowed to strike again and they did 7-8 years later - succeeding with part of their mission. They may or should I say probably will be coming back for more. They have the patience to wait why give them any ammunition. Keep your Lips Sealed and for the sake of this website keep your fingers tied. I love being able to communicate on this website. It has helped me tremendously and I want it to stay around as I do my son and the rest of our boys and girls defending this wonderful country of ours and our RIGHT to freedom. Sorry if I sounded so negative, but I think too many people run off too much and and don't even realize it and they need to wake up. If I have offended anyone I sincerely apologize but I am concerned. Thank you for letting me vent.

[Achseh]

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Understand that what Hoppi posted was more than likely directed toward the military and civilian employee more than it is toward moms, however it is a good lesson and a good way to make us aware that things you don't think mean anything can mean something to others.

A bit of information from you, a bit from someone else, enough pieces and you have some good information.



What is this site for? We're told it's for support. We're told it's for information. It is.

I can tell you about what to expect from a parent's point of view on bootcamp and some tips for PIR.
I can tell you what it's like to be a Navy wife. What is needed to set up a move on your own. What it's like to go to a homecoming, but I wont' tell you when it's happening. I can tell you what communications from the ship are like, what snail mail is like, what a MARS gram is and who is allowed to shop at the NEX and commissary. I can tell you my son's experience in THU and his LIMDU experience. I can give advice on how to deal with the Navy and who to contact for issues.

I will not tell you his name, where he is stationed, what he is doing day to day or what the ships movements are. I will not tell you my name, where I work or what I do.

I've met some of the moms on the site, had a great lunch with these families, but I do not trust anyone I haven't yet met in person.

I can't make you behave in any manner, much less a safe one, but I can remind you that OPSEC matters.

[Rena Alegria]

I JUST WANTED TO SAY.... there are some ppl that need to hear the whole thing.. it would not even occur to them to do some o f thiese things... example.. ppl think it is my email account it will go to that one... it is secure.. NO wrong.. what I said earlier.. technology is really really more advanced then many of you out there know. No more said on that end... Just a thank you

SO THANK YOU>... I actually have shown some others this.... It was very helpful even though I already had alot of other info for them.

HUGS,

Alegria

[Rena Alegria]

Oh boy!!!! WHAT DID I WALK INTO???? haha...NOTE: My post was for the one post that was a rebrief on Opsec.... being thoughtwise in how you handled little things, Some ppl think nothing of, like talking in the ladies room!!! hahaha...

WOW.... okay girls... BREATHE.... smile and then laugh at my rediculous post here...

Alegria *grin*

[Hoppi aka Angie]

[Ruth VH]

Hi Hoppi, I thank you for all the information you always supply us Moms with. We may not like some of the things you tell us, but we understand that you are just the "bearer" of the information. My question is that I see so many pictures of Sailors on other Moms sights that I am a bit jealous and would like to put my son's picture on my site...but he said when he started EOD originally that we couldn't put his picture on any website. He is now in Hosp Corpsman but hopes to eventually go SARC. Does that mean I still can't put his picture on my website? If yes, then what other classifications shouldn't have their pictures up as well? There are probably many Moms that aren't aware of this as well. Thanks for your information...Ruth VH

[NavyWife]

I just have to clarify, does this also include something along the lines of "Joe leaves for basic training in xx amount of days!"?

[Jennifer]

OK so being relatively new to the *Navy Mom* experience I have a question. This thread has really opened my eyes to the danger that we can put our family members in by just wanting to share their experience with family and friends. My son is about to go on his first major deployment. Based on the information here, the specifics regarding when, where and how long should not be disclosed, even to the most trusted friends and family - and goes without saying, should not be posted on ANY blog...is that correct?

[Jennifer]

Thank you for your input - I just hope that his father's household will abide by the same disgression. And knowing that his grandmother (my mother) knows the specifics, I will now have to convey this information to her regarding the sensitive nature.

All that having been said, this may be a little off topic, but does their mailing address change when they are on a deployment?

[Jennifer]

I have actually received an e-mail from my son just about 30 minutes ago with his new address.

Thank you