DCSA Leader Reminds DOD and Industry to Prevent Inadvertent and Unauthorized Disclosures – Cites Recent Cases of Unauthorized Disclosures

UNITED STATES

05.23.2022

Photo by Christopher Gillis 

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

QUANTICO, Va. – DOD Unauthorized Disclosure Program Management Office (UDPMO) Chief Henry Nelson discussed the differences between unauthorized disclosures and whistleblowers as well as their impacts on national security in a recent interview.

“DOD civilians, service members and contractors are privy to some of the most sensitive and closely held information,” said Nelson while answering questions from his Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency office. “It is a violation of law and of the oath of office to divulge, in any fashion, non-public DOD information – classified or controlled unclassified – to anyone without the required security clearance, specific need to know and a lawful government purpose. By definition, this would be an unauthorized disclosure. Divulging information in violation of these precepts weakens the department’s ability to protect the security of the nation against its adversaries,”

He reminds all DOD civilians, contractors and military personnel of their lifelong responsibility to protect and safeguard information. “This applies while the individual is actively employed with the U.S. government and continues when the individual retires or leaves government service,” said Nelson. “Individuals may use the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act to report information they reasonably believe provides evidence of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial danger to public health and safety.”

• Date Taken: 05.23.2022
• Date Posted: 07.05.2022 19:22
• Photo ID: 7303700
• VIRIN: 220523-D-D0467-0077
• Resolution: 2550x3300
• Size: 4.6 MB
• Location: US