Practice OPSEC to stay safe on Internet

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Juan Rios
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing wing plans
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  We are in a world increasingly dependent on information.

Pieces of information, such as social media postings, work schedules, recall rosters, deployments and more may be assembled in order to form the big picture of our organization or operation.

Our adversaries constantly monitor, listen, gather intel and probe our organization, so the importance of a solid understanding of operational security cannot be understated. We need to practice good OPSEC.

Per Air Force Instruction 10-701, Operations Security, critical information is a specific fact about friendly intentions, capabilities and activities vitally needed by adversaries for them to plan and act effectively, to guarantee failure or unacceptable consequences for friendly mission accomplishment.

In the wrong hands, this vital information would harm an organization's ability to effectively carry out normal operations. Usually, this information represents the core secrets of an organization and varies from one organization to the next.

As we handle documents, information and conversations, protect CI from inadvertent disclosure. The 60th Air Mobility Wing has published a Critical Information List. Refer to it, understand it and ensure it is easily accessible in the work areas to help protect CI when using communication devices and equipments.

How to protect CI? Encrypt, go secure and apply common sense rules.

- Be aware of unauthorized personnel in sensitive areas.

- Do not hesitate to question unrecognized personnel. Ask for ID or authorization.

- Secure and properly destroy sensitive information. Shred it or you'll regret it.

- Log out or lock your computer when you will be out of sight.

- Be aware of your surroundings when on the telephone.

- Verify the source when asked for information on the telephone or via email.

Remember to always think and practice good OPSEC because it is the process designed to safeguard sensitive unclassified information and it supplements all other security programs.

More OPSEC equals stronger security posture. It increases safety and security in any setting and for any purpose. It is our responsibility to keep our sensitive and critical information out of the hands of the bad guys.