Know what they say: Why OPSEC is everyone's business today
What is OPSEC anyway?
OPSEC stands for Operations Security - i.e. operational security. The concept originally comes from the military sector and describes measures to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
OPSEC has now also arrived in companies, public authorities and even in everyday private life. This is because it is often not hackers or industrial spies who are tapping into information - but careless statements, posts or documents that are lying around.
What is at stake?
What is at stake? seemingly harmless information - such as working hours, locations, project names or conversations in the elevator - can be put together to form a dangerous overall picture.
Realistic risks include:
Attacks on employees or objects
Disruptions to ongoing assignments or projects
Damage to image due to leaks or miscommunication
Economic damage due to information leakage
And all this often without malicious intent - but through carelessness.
OPSEC in everyday life - a topic for everyone
OPSEC is not a topic “only for special forces”. Every area of a company can be affected. Here are some typical situations:
Security services: Operating times or property addresses discussed during the smoking break? A risk.
Administration: Accidentally forwarded internal information by e-mail? A risk.
Technical service: Vehicle labeling + Google Maps = location analysis? A risk.
Private area: Selfie in company clothing in front of the job site? A risk.
OPSEC affects everyone, who is part of a company.
The most common OPSEC traps
Many violations happen out of sheer habit or convenience. These include:
Chatting in public: Conversations in a café or on the bus or train
Social networks: Photos of locations, check-ins, project content
Digital devices: Unprotected cell phones, open laptops, unencrypted cloud systems
What can everyone do?
OPSEC doesn't have to be complicated. Even small measures can make a big difference:
Ask yourself these 5 questions before passing on any information:
Could this information be relevant to security?
Is the person I am talking to authorized?
How could this information be misused?
Do I really have to say or write that?
Would I say that in front of strangers?
OPSEC needs culture
One-off education is not enough - a living security culture is needed. OPSEC Awareness Month in May is a good opportunity to:
Sensitize employees
refresh internal knowledge
Communicate contact points within the company
Managers can set a good example, encourage employees to ask questions if they are unsure - and companies like us can provide information to show that security is more than just technology.
Pond Security supports you with sound experience, trained personnel and a pronounced security awareness - for your security and that of your information.
Contact us – we are happy to advise you.
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- FAQ
Frequently asked questions about OPSEC
Data protection protects personal data - OPSEC protects operational information, whether personal or not.
Yes, location lists, schedules or internal emails can also be security-relevant.
Contact your supervisor.
Simply say: “What you say can have consequences - for you, for others and for our mission.”
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Your trusted security partner.
Leading companies and institutions rely on Pond Security. Our security solutions protect well-known organizations in industry, commerce and the public sector nationwide.
Your trusted security partner.
Leading companies and institutions rely on Pond Security. Our security solutions protect well-known organizations in industry, commerce and the public sector nationwide.
- Securely informed
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