Social networks present security issues Published March 13, 2008 By 2nd Lt. Chris Hoyler 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Being a member of the Armed Forces creates relationships many want to last a lifetime, and with the advancements made in social networking that task has become easier than ever. Just a quick registration on any of the popular social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook or the military-specific Together We Served allows one to enter a forum in which they can find those they've worked with over the years. There are also message boards and forums on military-dedicated Web sites open to anyone with a valid email account. And while everyone wants to reconnect with friends or share their knowledge of their job or the military with the world, these actions create a security hazard that you must be diligent to avoid. Be diligent when working with any of these sites, because they all present the same types of security issues. Posting pictures of yourself is fine, but if you are in the area of responsibility or on a classified mission, you are releasing information to an adversary that has the same access to the internet as your friends and loved ones. The same idea goes for information. Message boards discussing the latest military news and advancements have sprung up throughout the internet, and the anonymity of users creates a forum where information can go from classified to public knowledge with the click of a mouse. Operational security starts with you. Every Air Force member/employee is responsible for obtaining the necessary review and clearance, starting with Public Affairs, before releasing any proposed statement, text or imagery to the public. This includes any digital products being loaded on an unrestricted web site, which all social networking and message board sites fall under. If you have a question about the nature of anything you are posting, call Public Affairs at 394-4183 to receive proper guidance. If you think you are safe and have not violated OPSEC, remember that it can happen to anyone, including some of the Air Force's most trusted leaders. The Air Force recently uncovered information on a very popular message board that detailed some of the advancements of the F-22 Raptor and expounded on some of the operations tempo for the F-22 squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The information was posted after someone was asked several detailed questions by anonymous posters. These posters felt they could ask this person these questions because he openly presented himself as an experienced fighter pilot. Turns out he was. And he was in a position to know all the information he posted on the message board to complete strangers. Don't be the next example for the Air Force. If you have any questions about any information you are releasing in a public forum, contact Public Affairs for guidance. To keep in contact with family and friends, the Air Force does have an approved Instant Messenger program, AFIM, which can be located in the upper right toolbar on the Air Force Portal.