JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
“As we strive to protect
our information from falling into the wrong hands, there can be no complacency,”
said Jim N. Mattis, secretary of defense.
In a memo written June
21, 2018 to all Department of Defense employees, Mattis urged all to remain
vigilant when safeguarding sensitive information.
Air Force Instructions, DoD
Manuals, online training modules and many other sources help guide personnel to
be the best both safely and legally.
“You keep your fellow
airmen safe by safeguarding and properly adhering to operational security
standards and safeguarding classified material.” said Edward Connolly, 633rd
Air Base Wing information protection chief.
According to Connolly, critical
information may not be secret on its own, but when compiled together by enemy
agents it can pose a greater security threat. Trained adversaries can use these
small pieces and link them together, like a puzzle, to highlight what we are
planning and doing. The key is stay up-to-date with your security training so
you can easily identify any potential risks.
“Look at everything and
ask yourself if you need this and should you take this information home?” said
Connolly. “If you’re willing to accept small risks in your day-to-day tasks
you’re only training yourself to accept the larger risks down the road.”
In an effort to prevent these
risks, DoD personnel all undergo operational security training annually. Connolly
warned service members, however, not to become desensitized within their work environments
which may lead to security violations under the DoD Information Security
Program manual, number 5200.01.
“Personnel must confirm
sensitive material is properly marked and stored according to DoD standards
outlined in various training materials including the annual cyber awareness
online training modules,” added Kerri White, 633 ABW information protection
specialist. “When transmitting data DoD members, at all levels, need to use
appropriate servers while conducting government business.”
White also warned against
complacency, stating it can be a major threat to service members and our
Department of Defense workforces supporting efforts down range or stateside who
are charged with upholding proper security techniques and procedures.
The Joint Base
Langley-Eustis information protection office said personnel can remain
proactive in understanding their security responsibilities by reviewing the
following list to thwart off internal and external threats:
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Keep your online training up-to-date
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Review the installation security
SharePoint page for the latest updates and procedures
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Review the Center for Development of
Security Excellence (CDSE) website for security education, training, and
certification products
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Review the DoD security classification guidelines
to ensure proper labeling and storage of sensitive material
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Review your local security plan
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Contact your designated security manager
or information protection officer for clear guidance.