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My Coast Guard
Commentary | Jan. 19, 2024

January is OPSEC Month

By AJ Pulkkinen, MyCG Team writer

January is National Operations Security (OPSEC) Awareness Month. No matter where or how you serve, everyone has a role in protecting our information and understanding the value of mission-critical information.  

The dynamic threat environment we operate in puts a spotlight on the daily actions and activities of Coast Guard members. We must preserve our ability to protect, defend, and save the American public. Unauthorized release of critical or sensitive information, misinformation, or disinformation can be devastating to our service and all of us must guard against these risks. Unintentional misinformation can be spread with the best intentions. Bad actors may use your public profile as an opportunity to spread disinformation. 

Requirements 

Commands have until February 8 to submit your survey for the Annual Report of Coast Guard OPSEC Activities for 2024. Ensure your designated unit OPSEC staff, command security officer, or senior personnel (in order of precedence) take the short 5-10 minute survey. Information from the survey will be used to establish trends, develop mitigation strategies for potential vulnerabilities, and will be used in risk-based decisions and prioritization of resources. 

 A few dos and don’ts of OPSEC to remember 
  • DO maintain awareness of your environment and the increased efforts by external adversaries to gather information directly from you. 
  • DON’T release information UNLESS acting in an official capacity and when authorized by a competent authority.  
  • DO remain up to date on current facts, policies and resources relevant to daily conversations or discussions to avoid spreading incorrect information. 
  • DON’T forget to ensure your family members are also aware of risks and reporting requirements. 
  • DO be suspicious of someone prompting you to share your personal view on Coast Guard activities. 
  • DON’T release any additional, sensitive, restricted details to the public, including speculation on capabilities or readiness. 
  • DO raise questions and concerns about Coast Guard matters through your chain of command. 
  • DON’T engage in discussions on social media which may inadvertently lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. 
  • DO review reporting requirements to protect our critical information. Unit commands may have local procedures to protect specific mission information. 

  • DO report suspicious activity or attempts by external entities to solicit sensitive information to your local Coast Guard Counterintelligence Service (CGCIS) agent.   

For more, go to the OPSEC SharePoint site hosted by the Chief Security Officer of the Coast Guard, DCMS-34. If you have an OPSEC questions, email OPSEC@uscg.mil. 

-USCG- 

Resources: 
feature news OPSEC operational security Report family phishing