Operational security (OPSEC) is a security and risk management process that prevents sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands. It is a process that identifies seemingly innocuous actions that could inadvertently reveal critical or sensitive data to an enemy.
No matter how small some words and actions may seem, enemies of a military may be able to piece together certain information and learn something that could jeopardize civilian and military lives.
Simply put, OPSEC means being careful about what is said and done in front of others in order to protect yourself and others in war.
Everyone should assume they are being recorded, monitored, or otherwise observed if there is an event or activity that requires a heightened awareness of operation security.
Spies aren’t just actors in a movie; these are real trained professionals tasked with collecting information. They exist. THEY ARE ALSO YOU WHEN YOU SHARE CRITICAL INFORMATION. You’re literally doing all their work for them.
Gathering and processing a large volume of seemingly unconnected information requires a process. This process may include some or all of the following but is definitely not limited to:
-Observation of actions to observe patterns and when those patterns get broken
-Intercepting unsecured cell phone, email, and other communications
-Harvesting data online from social media
-Using observers, spies, moles, impersonators, or other agents to listen in on public conversations, socially engineer gatekeepers such as base operators or administrative staff
-Dumpster diving and trash theft
-Tracking the movements of troops, families, and friends using geolocation data
Here’s a list of a few other ways to remember what you want to keep to yourself:
It may seem elementary, but just remember when you were in school writing those basic papers. You always had to cover who, what, when, where, and why. Think of this as you’re practicing OPSEC, especially if you’re new to the military world.
Who: This one is pretty basic, but don’t use specific names, ranks, or units
What: Don’t share what ship, platoon, unit, etc. is moving or doing. Same goes for refugees and foreign nationals.
When: This is of the utmost importance. Sharing specific dates or time of flights, landings, arrivals, etc. can seriously jeopardize the safety of an entire military group or mission. With enough information gathered from social media or other means, a surprise attack can be planned and launched against a military.
Where: Troop location or any troop movement should always be kept under wraps.
-STOP sharing/ reblogging posts with critical information to “save a life” This kills me. YOU ARE PUTTING LIVES IN DANGER
-STOP encouraging refugees to gather at specific locations at specific times. You are making it SO EASY to know where to block movement or trap people
-STOP sharing refugee locations and plans to escape. Find a way to do this securely.
-STOP checking-in on social media and sharing your location
-STOP sharing the locations of your friends and family members
-STOP filming and taking photos of Soliders, NATO allies, planes, tanks, etc.
-STOP posting photos with metadata still attached. Metadata is that information linked to your photos or status updates letting people know where you posted from
-DO NOT report casualty numbers, losses, or damages. The enemy may or may not be happy with those stats and return. Or they will have casualties or destruction of target areas confirmed. Don’t give them that information.
-DO NOT give out info to any random person who begs for “locations of safety” or “help getting to Ukrainian forces for protection” You DO NOT know who this person is. The easiest way to get information out of people is to appeal to bleeding hearts. The enemy knows this. Literally all they have to do is impersonate someone helpless on social media and they’ll get all the information they want and more.
-LIMIT your communication to essential conversation only
-Don’t publicly share if your loved one is deployed/fighting
-Blur out rank and other details in posted photographs
-Avoid specific hashtags that might make you a target (#ArmyWife #JusticeforUkraine, for example)
-Edit photos of documents with names or addresses
THIS is what saves lives.
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