OPSEC key when social networking

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Most people don't consider a thread (conversation) on Facebook as having the potential to help those who want to do harm to our nation, but it's possible and could create a hole in operations security.

"Social networking is clearly a huge concern," said Randall Hall, 56th Fighter Wing OPSEC program manager. "We know for a fact that information on these sites is viewed by our adversaries."

The 56th FW commander released rules in June for using social networking sites to include Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube.

These sites and other emerging communication technologies provide an increasingly important means of information-sharing, active public participation and collaboration among Airmen, their families and the public.

"While these tools offer great potential, they come with risks," wrote Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th FW commander in the June 25 Social Networking Sites Use Policy letter sent to all Luke base network users. "We must strike a balance between preserving a safe and tightly controlled network while allowing Airmen appropriate access to these tools for use in a responsible manner."

U.S. Air Force officials are starting to see a loss of sensitive information occurring at an alarming rate.

Airmen using nonclassified systems must ensure they are not posting classified, restricted distribution, proprietary or For Official Use Only information on public websites to include blogs.

"The bottom line is anything computer users post on social media sites is not private information," Mr. Hall said. "It is now in the public domain subject to being viewed by everyone, including your commander."

Some Luke personnel could be inadvertently posting information that not only affects them personally, but can impact millions of Americans through medical, payroll and military service records. This includes information about an individual maintained by an agency, including but not limited to, education, financial transactions, medical history and criminal or employment history.

Biographies, unit rosters, telephone directories and standard operating procedures, including policy memorandums should not be posted on public web sites.

"Airmen must conduct themselves professionally in both text and imagery," wrote General Neubauer in the policy letter. "The base network is a weapon system. Its integrity is a top priority."

The 56th FW has outlined detailed guidelines for how Airmen will behave when using social media. The objective is to find balance between constructive online discussions regarding the U.S. Air Force or Defense Department and avoiding unacceptable OPSEC risk.