OPSEC - How's Your Operational Security?

 

The Foothills, Alberta (photo by V.A. McMillan)

OPSEC – How’s Your Operational Security?

Well Summer has finally arrived, and it is time for a new Blog post. This is a topic that is always in the back of my mind and frequently it becomes the squeaky wheel that needs attention…it does not matter what kind of operation you are part of – family, employment, volunteer, or just kicking back with friends. Everything has an operational security component and those who deny that or ignore that are setting themselves up for failure at some level or other. So, how is your operational security?

Operational Security (OPSEC) is closely related to situational awareness (safe-level-one-lesson-plan-part-1-of-5)  as both share a need to be cognisant of what is going on around you, at all times. What are the threats? What are the opportunities? What resources are available? What are your deficiencies? The answers to these questions will help establish what level of alertness you should be maintaining. As mentioned in previous posts (emergency-readiness-readiness-endurance), you cannot maintain the highest levels of alertness indefinitely. Everyone has a limit on how long they can be fully alert. To aid in managing your resources and maintain a response capability, is where OPSEC comes in. OPSEC is a method to manage vulnerability and reduce the number of directions that energy must be focused to achieve an acceptable level of security and readiness.

You might be asking, so, Mountainman how do we apply this theory to a real-world situation? Glad you asked…let’s use a crime model. Insert either the Italian or Sicilian Mafia or any of the drug cartels around the planet. When these operations were small, family run businesses and the Boss knew everyone in their operation, it was almost impossible for law enforcement or intelligence agents to infiltrate the operation. First, these small operations required a blood oath and a sponsor who would vouch to the integrity of the new member. As the operations became more successful and required expansion, and at times rapid expansion, then things started to develop gaps and holes in operational security. The Boss, captains, lieutenants, and enforcers no longer knew every member of their crew. At this point, not only was infiltration possible it was happening as quickly as agents could be inserted. Once one got in, they would vouch for others and then the operation was compromised. Intel would be leaked, and jobs would begin to be botched or intercepted by law enforcement, intelligence agencies, or the competition. Of course, when rats were caught, they would take a dirt nap and the OPSEC hole would be plugged, at least for a while.

The moral of the story being that small organizations where everyone is well known to each other are less ideal for infiltration by outside agents. That is one solution to protect operations from infiltration. But there are other vulnerabilities…During the Great War and World War Two, posters plastered the walls of train stations, bus stops, and office walls; with messages like “loose lips sink ships” or “the walls have ears”. There are still samples of these poster all over the internet.

Loose Lips Sink Ships - War Poster

The Walls Have Ears - War Poster

This vulnerability of having members of an organization flapping their gums with no regard for the audience – intended or not, shows a distinct lack of organizational discipline and personal discipline. If you want to achieve and maintain OPSEC in your operation, folks in your group need to understand how much damage they can create when the wrong person overhears someone bragging and then rats them outs to an agency or the competition. In a business environment this type of breach could cost you millions when your competition scoops your deal with a supplier. In a more security related operation this type of breach could cost you your freedom or your life. Those who lived through World War Two seemed to understand and comprehend the seriousness of OPSEC even when they were thousands of miles away from any front. Today matters are further complicated by the ease with which information can be shared on social media. There seems to be a psychological compulsion for folks to spill the beans…with friends and enemies, just for likes!!! Whiskey tango foxtrot, over!!! Where has personal responsibility, self-discipline, and self-control evaporated to??

If you are the captain, keep your ship and crew in snug control. Baggy sails and flapping lips could be the end of your voyage – individually and collectively!

Until next time…run a tight ship!

 

Mountainman.