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Officials reinforce AETC information, operations security standards

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Clinton Atkins
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Air Education and Training Command officials recently turned up the heat on service organizations to reinforce operations security standards - not even trash is safe from scrutiny.

Dr. Jim Crissinger, AETC program manager for critical asset risk management and operations security programs, and his team implemented the use of dumpster diving across the command starting in early September to analyze potential security threats. According to Crissinger, the results thus far have been revealing.

"Across the command, we found some disturbing trends, unfortunately. We found a lot of identifiable information (in the trash)," said Crissinger. "We found award packages, performance reports, travel vouchers, financial pay information, loan applications, resumes, VIP itineraries, recall rosters, physical security information and even some information about morale and disciplinary problems.

"Those are things we should not have found (in the trash)," he said.

Crissinger noticed some positive trends as well. He said one example is his team checked 12 dumpsters at one of the bases and were unable to find any violations.

"We identified the issues and now we're going to take the necessary steps to resolve them," he said.

The command has begun to increase efforts to reinforce operational and information security, which are now Department of Defense compliance-directed items.

"It's a trickledown effect and we're reinvigorating and re-educating our folks," said Crissinger.

The efforts will come in the form of constant reminders by way of email, localized briefings and distribution of critical information lists that will provide a wealth of information explaining what needs to be protected and how to maintain proper operations security.

Personnel across AETC can also expect continued random inspections of their trash.

"We're going to go through thrash and dumpsters to see what personal identifiable information or critical information may have been discarded improperly," he said. "It's not fun to crawl around a dumpster but at the same time, if we can preclude information from being divulged and protect people's privacy we'll do it."

Crissinger said anyone - military, civilians and contractors - found to be responsible for security violations may be subjected to disciplinary actions from their commander.

"If we find (sensitive information) with your name on it I'm going to take that information back to your chain of command," he said.

"What we're trying to do is protect our information and our personnel," said Crissinger. "AETC personnel need to understand that the information we are finding can lead to identity theft and may jeopardize operational readiness."

Crissinger said one of easiest ways to protect information and avoid possible punishment is to shred - and in some cases burn - sensitive information such as paperwork or documents with social security numbers and deployment information.

"By destroying and shredding the information, you're going to eliminate the majority of these problems," he said.

Another security concern identified in the command is email.

"Before you click the send button, make sure you know who you are sending it to and that you're using the proper security measures to ensure the information is protected," said Crissinger.

According to Col. Mark Morris, chief of AETC Operations, Readiness and Intelligence Division, security is a linchpin for mission success and it requires everyone's help in order for it to work.

"Attention to detail is critical to insuring security of all forms of information and being a good wingman to each other is one of the best ways to protect each other," he said. "Security is a team effort."