Operations security, it concerns everyone

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Allen | Media from Al Jazeera English and El Mundo TV, here to tour Joint Task Force Guantanamo, have their film reviewed for Operations Security, April 12, . At the end of each day, media who tour JTF Guantanamo have their photos or film reviewed for OPSEC violations to ensure the safety of service members, civilians and detainees. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

04.16.2010

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Allen 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

"The enemy is listening; he wants to know what you know." This phrase is from a World War II-era poster, but the same principal applies today, especially to service members assigned to Joint Task Force Guantanamo.

The need to safeguard information doesn't apply to just the workplace; it also applies to our contact with our family and friends.

Whether it is talking on the phone, sending e-mails or sending pictures home, everyone needs to be aware of what they're saying or posting. Being familiar with operations security is essential for each service member.

OPSEC is a process that determines what information, if available to one or more adversaries, would harm a unit's ability to effectively carry out its mission. This process includes the analysis of the threat and how information can be used, the analysis of the vulnerabilities that exist, and formulating a plan to protect that information.

"OPSEC is primarily used to protect unclassified information," said Tony, an OPSEC program manager at JTF Guantanamo. Because of the nature of his work, he requested that his last name not be used. "Most of the time what people think is irrelevant information is a piece of the puzzle. If that puzzle is pieced together with other information that may be readily available on the Internet or other places, it may be the last piece needed to learn something important, such as troop movement or procedures."

There are specific rules and guidelines for JTF-GTMO to safeguard information. Service members are not allowed to bring cameras or other communication devices into Camp America without proper authority. There is also a 100 percent shred policy on all documents in the workplace, regardless of classification.

The same security measures each person uses in the workplace should also be used in everyday communication with friends and family. Service members must be aware of what they are saying while on the phone.

"It is OK to talk about your work in general terms, or your well-being, but you should avoid talking about where you work specifically, or using full names while on the phone," said Hector, an OPSEC program manager. "When people are talking on the phone, they should assume that somebody is listening."

With the emerging popularity of mass social networking Web sites like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, service members have instant access to their friends and family and are using them more then ever. When posting information to these Web sites people should exercise the same caution they do on the phone.

While these Web sites may have privacy settings which allow only the people you choose to view your information, you should still apply a great amount of caution, as many of this nation's adversaries have found ways around those settings. It's also recommended that you only accept friend requests from people you know.

Service members should always be wary of what they write on these sites and the pictures they take and post while assigned to the JTF.

"My wife and I use Facebook to share pictures of each other while I am gone," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joni Winkler, yeoman, assigned to the Joint Detention Group at JTF Guantanamo. "It allows her to see where I am and some of the things I am doing while I am gone, but I am always careful of what pictures I post, because I know there are things I cannot photograph."

Being assigned to the most highly scrutinized military installation on the planet, service members need to be mindful of security measures and practice OPSEC diligently.

"Applying OPSEC is applying common sense," Hector said. "If you think it could be used against the mission, or yourself, do not say it on the phone or post it on the Internet."

• Date Taken: 04.16.2010
• Date Posted: 04.21.2010 15:41
• Story ID: 48476
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU