Watch what you're saying, someone is listening!

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Alysia Harvey
  • 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
Did you know that a simple phone conversation with your loved one in a deployed location could put him or her in danger?

When you send e-mails or faxes or have a phone conversation, did you know a spy or terrorist could be listening? Even when you are on a government computer or a DSN line?

"Everyone wants to know what you are talking about," said Tech. Sgt. Paul Farrington, the 347th Rescue Wing telephone control officer.

DSN circuits connect through commercial sectors, so conversations can be heard by anyone with a scanner.

"We need to get back to the basics of disclosing information on a need-to-know basis only and think about communication security," Farrington said.

Communication security is making sure what you say can be said, and it is important for everyone to always think about what they are saying before they say it, Farrington said.

Everyone is affected by one person's negligence of communication security. Terrorists and spies can use bits of information from several people and build on them.

For example, Mr. Smith gets a call from his spouse, Lieutenant Smith, who is deployed. She tells him about a dust storm last night. A terrorist or spy listening to the conversation with a scanner can go online and search for all the places in the world where dust storms occurred and narrow it down to certain locations.

Airman Jones then talks to her husband on a DSN line and tells him she just found out she is deploying to an undisclosed location in a week.

Captain Johnson faxes Airman Jones' orders to Lieutenant Smith at the "undisclosed location" via an unsecured fax.

Sally Spy or Terry Terrorist, who has been tracking these conversations using a facsimile scanner, starts to plan the attack. Sally or Terry gets a copy of the orders using the same scanner, whites out the original name, types in a new name, then calls Lieutenant Smith to inform her of the changes. Smith approves the changes, sends the information to the gate guard and requests there be a pass ready for the newcomer. Then it is instant access to the base for Sally Spy or Terry Terrorist.

"Although some people probably think that the scenario is far fetched and just a scare tactic, after the events of Sept. 11, I think we can all agree that the enemy could be anywhere and communication security is more important now than ever," said Senior Airman Danielle Davis, the base communications security accountant.

Communication security negligence happens in everyday situations. Examples include people not setting passwords for voicemail systems; leaving classified material in common areas; or chatting in restaurants, bars, beauty salons, the grocery store or any well-frequented place.

"The importance of communication security can be summed up very simply," Davis said. "You're the one who's going to war and getting shot at. Do you really want the enemy to know where you are or what you're doing?" (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)