OPSEC, social media: Be aware of the risks

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nathan Byrnes
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs

Social media outlets such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter can provide an instantaneous and highly entertaining feedback stream of activities – the latest videos of the game winning shot, animals doing crazy things, people participating in the newest internet challenge, or just hilarious memes populate the news feeds of people around the world.

With social media becoming more and more popular and with massive amounts of content online and so many life events to share, it is easy to forget that unwanted eyes may be watching. Without realizing it, Airmen may unknowingly jeopardize the safety of themselves, their family, their friends or fellow military members.

The Operation Security program aims to reduce the vulnerability of Air Force missions by reducing the vulnerability of critical information.

“People want to share with their family and friends what they are doing and your job is a big part of your life,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jesse Tibo, 403rd Operations Support Squadron operations intelligence superintendent. “It’s something that individuals want to talk about, and you are allowed to, but they just need to be aware of what information can be shared and what can’t.  People don't realize that giving certain things out such as 'I have to be out to an area of operation for the next six months' just gave the adversaries an indication of military activity.”

According to Maj. Brian Houston, 403rd Operations Support Squadron security manager, there are five steps in the OPSEC process: identifying critical information, analyzing threats, analyzing vulnerabilities, assessing risks and applying countermeasures.

“The information that is shared not only has a potential effect on the mission, but it can also put individuals and assets at risk,” said Tibo. “OPSEC programs are in place to control critical information from being released to make sure that the mission and the Airmen involved are safe. The more information that is released, the greater the risk there is.”

Another danger of Airmen posting to social networks involves the use of smart phones, which can automatically geo-tag pictures with data that can reveal exact locations of critical assets. It can also reveal the identities of friends and family of the Airmen who see and comment on the posts.

“If a photo of a sensitive airframe, troop movement, building or equipment were to be published, it could give away key information on a possibly critical operation,” said Tibo. “Even photos that the individual might think are harmless can be used in relation with other information to help locate military assets or give potential targets to terrorists or other adversaries.”

The one step that every military member, regardless of special training, is capable of doing is identifying critical information.

“Self-monitoring is the most effective way to control OPSEC on the individual level. Social media is the biggest issue with the release of critical information at the individual level and every Airman should be aware of the critical information list to be aware of what can be posted and what could cause a potential risk if posted,” said Tibo.

If Airmen realize how those indicators can affect their security, they can apply the proper countermeasures to prevent incidents.

The OPSEC program encompasses the entirety of military operations that can be affected by military members, civilian workers, friends or family.

Each unit employs an OPSEC manager to whom anybody may report suspected OPSEC incidents. For more information regarding OPSEC, refer to Air Force Instruction 10-701, Operations Security (OPSEC) on the Air Force e-Publishing website or contact your unit OPSEC manager.