FORT CARSON, Colo. — Take a break this summer … but don’t take a break from operational security (OPSEC).
It’s that time of year. Schools are out, vacations start, travel increases, roads are congested and shopping is on the rise. It’s a time when opportunities increase for personal information to be stolen or compromised and, thus, not a time to take a break from your OPSEC mindset.
Whether you are off for the entire summer or planning that mini vacation, don’t break away from OPSEC practices. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t compromise security for convenience. When you are going to be out of town do you pause any memberships or services such as pet walking, house cleaning, child care or gym memberships? Where is that information kept and how is it protected?
How about your home security? How can an adversary get that information? Surveillance. Just looking at the home? Security company lawn signs and video doorbells.
If you decide to go out of town, consider these home safety tips:
• Don’t overly share your schedules; talk to family members about not sharing too much.
• Social media/privacy settings/geo location apps — be cautious of posts, you can be informing.
• Lock your car and don’t leave valuables in the car.
• Do not leave important documents out in the open.
• Secure incoming mail or rent a mailbox at a mail center for extended periods.
• Lock your doors, windows, secure garage doors, deadbolts and latch plates.
• Don’t leave out trash barrels and newspapers — coordinate pick-up.
• Don’t hide a key.
These are just a few countermeasures to safeguard your property. When you apply countermeasures, you limit the ability for criminals to act.
Follow five simple steps, called the “OPSEC Cycle,” and you will continue to mitigate vulnerabilities.
1. Analyze Threat. A threat is an adversary who has the intent and capability to compromise your mission or sensitive activities.
2. Identify Critical Information. It’s the specific facts about friendly intentions, capabilities and activities that an adversary can use against us.
3. Analyze Vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities are weaknesses that an adversary uses to obtain critical information.
4. Assess Risk. Risk is the likelihood that an adversary will get your critical information.
5. Apply Countermeasures. Countermeasures reduce the likelihood that critical information will be lost.
Finally, OPSEC does not stop when you leave your house … keep the mindset, even when you take a break.
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