1. Operational Security
PCC. VII-F.1

2. Learning Topics Introduction Critical Information Threat
OPSSEC measures
What to look for
Identifying threats

3. Introduction
Operations security (OPSEC) is a process that identifies critical information to determine if:
friendly actions can be observed by adversary intelligence systems
information obtained by adversaries could be interpreted to be useful to them, and then executes selected measures that eliminate or reduce adversary exploitation of friendly critical information

4. Importance “Loose Lips Sink Ships”
Any priority information that could be useful to the enemy needs to be regulated
In this new technological era, information can pass by the click of a button

5. Process
Operational security is broken down into the following five step process
Step 1
Identify Critical Information
Step 2
Analyze Threats
Step 3
Analyze Vulnerabilities
Step 4
Risk Assessment
Step 5 Apply Appropriate OPSEC Measures

6. 1. Identification Critical Information
Identifying information needed by an adversary, which focuses the remainder of the OPSEC process on protecting vital information, rather than attempting to protect all classified or sensitive unclassified information

7. 2. Analysis of Threats
Analysis of Threats: the research and analysis of intelligence, counterintelligence, and open source information to identify likely adversaries and/or planned operations

8. 3. Analysis of Vulnerabilities
Examining each aspect of the planned operation to identify OPSEC indicators that could reveal critical information and then comparing those indicators with the adversary’s intelligence collection capabilities identified in the previous action

9. 4. Assessment of Risk
First, planners analyze the vulnerabilities identified in the previous action and identify possible OPSEC measures for each vulnerability
Second, specific OPSEC measures are selected for execution based upon a risk assessment done by the commander and staff

10. 5. Application of Appropriate OPSEC Measures
The command implements the OPSEC measures selected in the assessment of risk action or, in the case of planned future operations and activities, includes the measures in specific OPSEC plans

11. Need To Know
 It is possible and not unprecedented for spouses and family members of US military personnel to be targeted for intelligence collection
When being deployed do not give out any critical information that the enemy could use against you

12. Types of Information
Examples of Critical Information The following examples may help you in defining parameters for your communications. It is important to remember that there are many more examples than those listed below:
1. Detailed information about the mission of assigned units   2. Details concerning locations and times of unit deployments   3. Personnel transactions that occur in large numbers (e.g., pay information, power of attorney, wills or deployment information)   4. References to trend in unit morale or personnel problems   5. Details concerning security procedures
Need to know, secret, etc.

13. Identifying Threats
In today’s society you have to be extremely careful on how your passing information
If it is sensitive information you have to make sure you use secure channels

14. Conclusion “Loose Lips Sink Ships”
Make sure you are passing information the correct way
Avoid posting critical information to social media sights
Avoid the use of cell phones and s for passing critical information
Do not even pass critical information to your family

15. Resources Operational Security
lSecurity.aspx
Marine Parents