OPSEC expo boosts awareness

  • Published
  • By Minty Knighton
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 96th Air Base Wing Information Protection Office pushed Operational Security with a recent base expo Feb. 24.

The expo was held at the AAFES mini mall. The goal was to inform and remind Team Eglin about OPSEC. It also focused on how places like the mini mall are ideal for OPSEC unconscious violations.

"We want to get the focus back on OPSEC because we're losing information to the adversaries," said Ralph Milone, IPO office. "There are a lot of people who work with sensitive information every day, like program managers. We want to be sure they are taking all necessary precautions."

A part of taking precaution is information security protocol.

"We're not being OPSEC aware," said Mr. Milone. "We're not aware we're discussing things out in the open."

Kathi Herndon, a security specialist, recounted listening to a military member talking on a flight.

"By the time the flight was over, I knew his name, rank, how many kids he had, his hometown and what he did. If I wanted to do anything, I had all the info I needed," she said.

Mr. Milone explained for that very reason they were holding the expo. He said there was even a case where a spouse called into a local radio station and gave out information on her spouse's deployment.

In addition to free posters and pamphlets, videos and CD's were played to encourage OPSEC knowledge.

IPO is also available for commanders' calls or unit training sessions to brief on OPSEC.

"We can provide overviews or detailed information," said Mr. Milone. "We can tailor it to their needs."

The IPO team's goal is to remind Team Eglin to be vigilant in protecting the information in the workplace and at home. They also caution people sharing information through home computers; and the protection of deployment information.

"We have to take better care of our information and ultimately our people," said Mr. Milone. "It's our responsibility, no matter what our status, we must properly protect."