Back-to-school is right around the corner. Is OPSEC on your list?

You must be vigilant when getting supplies or updating social media platforms. There are many vulnerabilities when it comes to in-store or online shopping, and even social media. Being cognizant of your personal information and what information you provide is important. Understand that sharing personal and financial information online comes with privacy risks. E-shoppers need to be aware that data breaches and identity theft are potential threats.

Understanding OPSEC is essential to protecting information. It Is a risk management process that aims to prevent sensitive information from being accessed by adversaries. The primary goal of OPSEC is to safeguard sensitive data, ensuring that it remains confidential and secure from unauthorized access.

Knowing the steps of the OPSEC cycle is key.

  • Analyze threat; an adversary with the intent and capabilities to compromise your mission or sensitive activities.
  • Identify critical information; the information about your intentions and capabilities that an adversary can exploit to compromise or interrupt your mission.
  • Analyze vulnerabilities; vulnerabilities are weaknesses that an adversary can exploit to get your critical information.
  • Assess risk, this involves a bit of math – it is the probability that an adversary will compromise your critical information or exploit a vulnerability and the potential impact of the adversary’s success.
  • Countermeasures are things that we can do to address our vulnerabilities.
  • And finally, assess the effectiveness and countermeasures to determine if what we are doing is working or do we need to make some changes.

Here are a few tips to be safe and secure in today’s digital world:

Personal information

Do you:

  • Keep sensitive information off your profile?
  • Keep your plans, schedules and location data to yourself?
  • Protect the names and information of friends, and family members?
  • Tell friends to be careful when posting photos and information about you and your family?

Settings and privacy

Did you:

  • Look at and set all your privacy and security options?
  • Determine both your profile and search visibility?
  • Set access permissions accordingly?
  • Verify a “friend” request was from your friend?

Posting Data

Before posting, do you:

  • Check all photos for indicators in the background or reflective surfaces?
  • Check filenames and file tags for sensitive data (your name, organization or other details)?
  • Know things posted online exist forever.

Security

Remember to:

  • Ensure your profile is set to be private.
  • Keep your anti-virus software updated.
  • Beware of links, downloads and attachments just as you would in e-mails.
  • Beware of “apps” or plugins, which are often written by unknown third parties who might use them to access your data and friends.
  • Look for HTTPS and the lock icon that indicate active transmission security before logging in or entering sensitive data, especially when using Wi-Fi hotspots.
  • Report, block or hide any person bullying you or making you feel uncomfortable online.
  • Watch out for suspicious messages.
  • Ensure devices are updated with the latest software or operating system.
  • Research any devices before buying or using them.

Adversaries are opportunists and they can, and will, target where there are vulnerabilities. Protect yourself and family by being vigilant. Keep OPSEC on your list.