Download - Conley Group Operational Security Presentation

Copyright © 2009 The Conley Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Operational Security (OPSEC)

PRESENTED BYTOM M. CONLEY, CPP, CFE, CISM

PRESIDENT AND CEO


Today’s Objectives

•What is OPSEC

•Understand the OPSEC Process

•Learn how OPSEC applies to YOU in YOUR environment


What Is OPSEC?

•OPSEC Defined•The OPSEC Process

– Critical Information– Indicators– Adversaries– Vulnerabilities– Protective Measures


Ph

ysic

al

CO

MS

EC

CO

MP

US

EC

Em

anat

ion

s

Pu

bli

c A

ffai

rs

Acq

uis

itio

n

Lo

gis

tics

Op

erat

ion

s

Per

son

nel

OPSEC Covers ALL Organizational Areas


OPSEC Definition 1

A process of routinely denying potential adversaries information about our capabilities and/or intentions by identifying, controlling, and protecting any data or other information that may provide evidence of the planning and execution of sensitive activities to our enemy.


The purpose of OPSEC is to reduce the vulnerability of US and coalition forces from successful adversary exploitation of critical information. OPSEC applies to ALL activities that prepare, sustain, or employ forces during all operations. It prevents the display of, or collection of, critical information — especially while preparing for and conducting actual combat operations.

OPSEC Definition 2


Critical InformationCritical Information

• Critical information are the core secrets of an activity, capability, or intention that if known to the adversary, could weaken or defeat the operation.

• Critical information is the information about your operations an adversary needs to achieve their goals.

• Critical information usually involves only a few key items.

• If those items are unavailable to us they could impact the way we conduct business.

• Our critical information is information required to be successful in our jobs.


Indicators

• Monitoring telephone and public conversations

• Analyzing telephone directories, financial or purchasing documents

• Position or "job" announcements • Travel documents • Blueprints or drawings• Distribution lists• Social engineering• Information or items found in the trash• Public Websites

Information May Be Collected By:


Adversaries

• Who are we talking about? In the Cold War days you knew it was the communist threat. Today, the Cold War is over but new threats have emerged.

• Economic superiority and political gain are other driving forces. Our former allies during the Cold War and Desert Storm are now collecting technology from us to gain an advantage in the global market.


Vulnerabilities

• Vulnerabilities are defined as the characteristics of a system which can cause it to suffer degradation as a result of having been subjected to some level of a hostile threat.

• Determining our vulnerabilities involves analyzing how we conduct operations. We must look at ourselves as the adversary would.

• From this perspective we can determine what are the true, rather than the hypothetical, vulnerabilities.


Protective Measures

• Vulnerabilities and specific threats must be matched.

• Where the vulnerabilities are great and the threat is evident, the risk of exploitation should be expected. A high priority for protection should be assigned and corrective action taken.

• Where the vulnerability is slight and the adversary has a marginal collection capability, the priority should be lower.


Information Collection

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)

Imagery Intelligence (IMINT)

Human Intelligence (HUMINT)

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)


Consequences of an OPSEC Failure


How About Workplace OPSEC?

• Handling sensitive or classified information

• Clean desk?

• Talking about work matters outside of the workplace

• You ARE NOT being a snitch if you report suspicious activity


IdentifyIdentify YOURYOUR Critical Information Critical Information

AnalyzeAnalyze YOURYOUR Threats Threats

AnalyzeAnalyze YOURYOUR Vulnerabilities Vulnerabilities

AssessAssess YOURYOUR Risks Risks

EmployEmploy CorrectCorrect Protective Protective MeasuresMeasures

OPSEC SimplifiedOPSEC Simplified


GOOD SECURITY IS A GROUP EFFORT

Who is Responsible for OPSEC?


The Bottom Line

• The threat is REAL• Protect our technological advantage• Asymmetric Threats are today’s

concern and not always clearly evident

• Practice common sense and include OPSEC in your daily routines

• YOUR adversary IS watching – are you?


Summary

• OPSEC is an Analytic Process• OPSEC is Adversary-Oriented• Every Operation Has Vulnerabilities• All Indicators Cannot Be Eliminated• Risk Can Be Mitigated (vs. Avoided)• An Effective Countermeasure is a Good Countermeasure (anything

legal that works)


Final Thoughts

THINK OPSEC


Questions?