OPSEC Survey Team to visit 60th AMW

  • Published
  • By Cheryl Brown
  • 60th AMW OPSEC Program
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 92nd Information Warrior Aggressor Squadron Operations Security Survey Team will perform an OPSEC Survey on the 60th Air Mobility Wing April 3 to 7. 

The Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, based team provides a valuable service to installation commanders by assessing the effectiveness of commanders’ OPSEC program by using a systematic process to examine the day-to-day practices and procedures employed by wing personnel to achieve mission goals. 

The methodology consists of using a team to look at an activity through the eyes of an adversary to determine if critical information may be inadvertently disclosed through the performance of normal organizational functions. The primary purpose is to improve organizational effectiveness and control the vulnerabilities of friendly actions or information. 

OPSEC surveys are different from security evaluations or inspections. A survey attempts to produce an adversary’s view of the operation or activity being surveyed. 

A security inspection seeks to determine if an organization is in compliance with the appropriate security directives and regulations. 

OPSEC surveys are not a check on the effectiveness of an organization’s security programs or its adherence to security directives. Instead, survey teams will assess how current security measures positively or negatively affect OPSEC. 

Surveys are not punitive by nature and no grades or evaluations are awarded as a result of them. Surveys are not designed to inspect individuals but to evaluate practices and procedures used to accomplish the mission. 

Unless this non-punitive objective is made clear, team members will inevitably appear as inspectors, which may hamper cooperation and assistance from the surveyed organizations. 

IWAS team members will provide a formal out-brief April 7 at 10 a.m. in the 60th AMW Wing Conference Room. 

Questions concerning the survey should be addressed to Ms. Cheryl Brown, 60th AMW OPSEC program manager, at 424-3345.