If you've been in the Navy for more than five minutes, chances are you've noticed that operational security (OPSEC) is one of the most talked-about aspects of military culture.

Navy leaders continually hit on this theme because when we practice proper OPSEC, we take steps that can mean the difference between life and death for all of us.

OPSEC is often discussed in the context of not revealing ship's movement details in e-mails or on social media, but it is more accurate to look at it as a best practice for all military personnel and family members.

Lt. Laura Cox, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower's (IKE) information warfare officer, said OPSEC is critical not only for the safety of service members, but for the safety of friends and families as well.

"Operations security is protecting enough unclassified information from getting into the wrong hands," Cox said. Information gathering is like a puzzle. Each piece helps to build a picture, just like each piece of information can be put together to reveal classified information. "This could lead to tragic consequences," Cox said.

With social media websites like Facebook actively prompting users to input more and more information, Cox said that all too often a user can be lulled into a false sense of security, making his or her life an open book.

"People share too much information," Cox said. "They'll put something on Facebook like 'I'll be home 10 days after my birthday,' and it's easy to get someone's birthday online. People may think they are being covert, but they're not. It's very easy to connect the dots on social media these days."

Cox said it is also important to inform those around you of the importance of OPSEC and the security pitfalls of the cyber world because friends and family may not know what they can share online. Family members and friends who don't live and breathe OPSEC every day in real life situations may not always grasp how their social media activities might be linked back to their Sailors and used to determine ship's movement, position, capabilities or other revealing information.
Cox said OPSEC isn't just about cyber space. The real world presents many opportunities to share potentially sensitive information, sometimes in ways so subtle people wouldn't think twice about doing so.

"People put tons of information on their vehicles," Cox said. "I can find out you're in the Navy, where your kids go to school, what neighborhood you live in, and what extracurricular activities you're involved in from the back of your car. It's like giving a thief the keys to your house."

There is a difference between having pride in something and oversharing, she said. By exposing a lot of information about one's service or family, a Sailor may potentially make himself or herself a target. Phishing attacks, identity theft and groups that have actively threatened military personnel and their families can use any available information against service members.

"There are very real threats," Cox said. "We assume we're not that interesting, but in this day and time, I would try to publicly disassociate myself with the military as best I could to not bring attention to myself or my family members."

The Hampton Roads area, with the highest concentration of military personnel in the United States, is a natural target for information gathering operations by the enemy. Cox said where we live makes it that much more important that Virginia-based Sailors remain aware of their surroundings and what is said in the presence of strangers.

"Don't take for granted that you are safe," Cox said. "Know your environment and the people around you, and be smart about what you do in your private life."

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is underway conducting carrier qualification.

For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/.