Another acronym? Yes, it’s our way of life, but this one is probably one of the more important ones you need to know and understand.
OPSEC stands for Operations Security.
But what does that really mean?
The official DoD definition is: OPSEC is a systematic and proven process by which the U.S. Government and its supporting contractors can deny to potential adversaries information about capabilities and intentions by identifying, controlling, and protecting generally unclassified evidence of the planning and execution of sensitive Government activities. (National Security Decision Directive 298)
Woah! That’s intense!
Did you get any of that? Because I know I am a little overwhelmed with that definition!
A DEFINITION YOU CAN UNDERSTAND
You can find free WiFi just about anywhere. Not to mention you never know who may be listening to your conversations either through the cyber world or in person. This alone makes OPSEC one of the most important things you’ll ever do in keeping your service member and your family safe.
So let’s break it down and put it in terms that you can understand. As well as what you need to do to stay in OPSEC good graces.
OPSEC is NOT a set of rules that tell you what to say or not say. Instead it is a process, a method for denying adversaries access to critical information.
You want to make sure you are not providing our adversaries information which could do harm to our service members and military operations or change the plan of the military operation. So, in essence, it’s a mindset you need to practice all the time and anywhere you are.
OPSEC indicators are those friendly actions and open sources of information that adversary intelligence systems can potentially detect or obtain and then interpret to derive critical information.
Remember, adversaries frequently visit some of the same stores, clubs, recreational areas, places of worship, restaurants, and of course, social networking sites as you do.
Maintaining situational awareness is staying safe as an individual and watching out for loved ones. Also, remember that following OPSEC is also good for your personal security (PERSEC) and your family because an adversary isn’t always a terrorist. They could be thieves waiting for you to reveal when your house will be unoccupied or cyber-criminals wanting your information to steal your ID.
Please take a minute and think about all the seemingly innocent information we share daily and now add all of the apps, phone towers, and webpages that ping and alert us to trouble, track our kids, and identify routines.
I am not writing this to scare you but to keep you aware.
A few years ago, my husband was deployed overseas, and some girlfriends and spouses were excited to get a call and posted that xxxx just called xxx; now, anyone reading that with ill intent can track and reverse track and get coordinates. Then another time, some spouses were planning to visit their service member and texted and posted dates because of the seemingly innocent leak of information, the mission had to change gears. The deployment was extended, and scheduled breaks were canceled, meaning your plans were altered, your kinds don't get to see mom or dad and grief all over again. Your loved one would be working harder, longer without a break, and sometimes the limited communication would be cut off for months at a time.
If you have not signed up for the emotional cycles of deployment groups, I highly suggest it because understanding the cycle will change your life and make the cycles easier to endure.
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