OPSEC

I was reading around the internet some and noticed how unsafe and unaware some can be in retrospect to personal security. Being a military wife I am aware (If it's not me, it's definitely my husband) that certain things are meant to stay private or even something as little as saying "going to the commissary, sure wish my husband was here to help!" or even "Duty days suck, I hate when the hubs is gone" can all have a negative effect.

I took this directly from Ashley @ (alot o' curls and a high&tight) and she found it from Ann Marie @ Household 6 Diva\). I stumbled across this and starting to think that THIS IS SO IMPORTANT for all bloggers and social media alike.
Blogging OPSEC and PERSEC is for Everyone

I have a bone to pick with the blogosphere.
And I am probably going to ruffle some feathers with this post.

But that's alright...
because I think this issue needs to be discussed by BOTH military and civilian bloggers.
We all need to think twice about what we share on the internet.


OPSEC :
OPSEC orOperations Security is being aware of what you are sharing because it could give away more information than you intended - this is usually related to military or combat operations.

PERSEC :
PERSEC or Personal Security is also being aware of what you are sharing because it could give away more information than you intended - this is usually of a more personal nature.

(image credit: Northwestern University Library)



As a military wife, I have heard over and over again, the "importance of OPSEC" and how "OPSEC and PERSEC can save your life."  Honestly, my eyes start to glaze over and I want to cover my ears, because I've heard the lecture so many times.

But when I hear people talking about specific dates for the next deployment at the Commissary or the PX?  Or openly discussing the training schedule at the Post Office?


PLEASE
Don't talk about the time frame.
Don't talk about the mission.
Don't talk about equipment.
Don't talk about numbers.
Don't talk about destinations.
Don't spread rumors.
Don't share pictures with unit insignia

Phone, email, chat rooms, message boards, blogs.
Always assume someone is listening.


(image credit: Northwestern University Library)


I know deployment is hard and we all count the days but I always bite my lip when I see a countdown ticker in blog sidebars... Are you telling a terrorist that your soldier's entire Battalion (1,000 service members) is flying in the next week?  Are you posting to Facebook/Twitter "Wheels up in two hours - better get my hair done! #deploymentalmostover"?



Come on now friends - we need to think about the information we are putting out there.  And we need to respectfully point it out to each other..

Polite and honest constructive criticism could prevent a terrorist attack and potentially save my soldier's life.

Yes - it's that serious.



(image credit: Northwestern University Library)





As for PERSEC or Personal Security, I read two posts a few weeks ago, written by Darcy at My 3 Boybarians, where she spoke about blogging and using discretion with her children.  It hit home with me.  After talking it over at length with  my husband, we have decided I will continue to use my children's real names.

But it did spark some great conversation between us.  And I have starting thinking twice about what I share via my online status updates.

A few weeks ago I thought nothing of tweeting....
"Going to the Commissary - really wish Hubby was home to carry in the milk... #thisdeploymentstinks"

Which could translate to...
"Dear Burglars - My house will be empty for the next two hours and there's no man around! 
Wanna stop by for a soda and some free stuff?"

So now instead I write...
"Whew! Made it to the Commissary and back without selling one of my children! #timeforchocolate"
(image credit: Northwestern University Library)

I am not suggesting we all become paranoid.  
After all, Blogging is about building relationships and being part of a community. 

However, I do think there is point where too much information can compromise personal safety and some discretion is warranted...  As we attend Blogging conferences or correspond with friends outside of blogging, we are no longer anonymous - I myself have made wonderful new friendships across the globe by sharing a love for coupons.

But let's face it - not everyone with access to the internet 
has all the best intentions at heart.

I've uploaded these images to photobucket and created buttons that link to this post.
I invite you to post one as a reminder to yourself and your readers.







What are your thoughts on OPSEC and PERSEC?
Where do you draw the line with social media and information sharing?
 Have you spoken to your spouse about what you share on the internet?

If you have an OPSEC or privacy post written - please share the link with us!

No comments:

Post a Comment