Safeguarding national security, everyone’s responsibility

Photo By Heather Johnson | All Navy Message 055/10 reminds the Department of the Navy personnel of "their responsibility to safeguard national security information commensurate with the level of classification assigned, until the information is declassified by the appropriate original classification authority." This message applies to all DoN military, civilian and contractor support personnel. Safeguarding national security information is important because if released it could have grave consequences.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

09.10.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Heather Johnson 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - National security is a crucial issue all Department of Defense personnel must take seriously.

In May, the Department of the Navy released All Navy Message 055/10 reminding its personnel of "their responsibility to safeguard national security information commensurate with the level of classification assigned, until the information is declassified by the appropriate original classification authority." This message, which applies to all DoN military, civilian and contractor support personnel, has become even more critical with the recent release of classified information through the WikiLeaks website, a document sharing website where leaks of sensitive governmental, corporate, organizational, or religious documents can be found.

"Disclosure of national security information to unauthorized personnel could compromise current and future military operations and exercises for units on Okinawa or units coming to Okinawa," said Douglas Baker, security manager for Marine Corps Bases Japan.

The ALNAV message states that this information is only to be shared with those with an authorized clearance on a need-to-know basis and only via authorized channels and systems.

Baker explains that for any personnel to have access to national security information they must be eligible for access, then they must be granted access to the level of the information they want to see and finally they must have a need to know. If they do not meet the criteria then access to that information will be denied.

It is important to safeguard and note the appearance of potentially classified information in the public domain, regardless of medium because the file may not indicate whether the information has been reviewed by the respective authority and is cleared for release.

"When it comes to safeguarding national security information we can never be in a rush, when we rush we make mistakes," said Baker. "We must safeguard this information because if it ends up in the wrong hands it could have grave consequences."

Additionally, all DoN Personnel shall not confirm nor deny the existence of potentially classified information while in public, and must immediately report the incident if asked for such information.

While the final ramifications from the WikiLeaks incident are forthcoming, Baker says it demonstrates the importance of safeguarding sensitive information.

This recent incident has made security personnel take a closer look at how carefully national security information is processed, handled and protected he said, adding that it has also caused personnel to pause and refocus on doing business more efficiently.

In fact, the DoD conducted a security stand down to examine the daily practices and make corrections as needed to ensure all information is being properly handled, Baker said.

Service members here can prevent future incidents by applying the knowledge gained through annual security training, as well as paying attention to the security orientation briefing when being granted access to national security information, said Baker.

"Lastly, when it comes to handling [sensitive information], if a person is not sure how to properly protect it, they should contact their unit security manager immediately," he concluded.

• Date Taken: 09.10.2010
• Date Posted: 09.12.2010 21:06
• Story ID: 56157
• Location: OKINAWA, JP