Camera phones pose risk to security

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Darrell Lewis
  • Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFPN) --  Carrying the latest "have-to-have" electronic gadget may mean big trouble for the person who brings it into unauthorized locations.

Officials from the National Security Agency said in an advisory that new cellular phones with integral digital cameras pose an unacceptable security risk to homeland security. This type of phone is not authorized for use or possession within any Air Force facility processing classified information.

"Communications are getting faster and easier," said Jane Guidicini, Air Force Communications Agency certified emission security technical authority. "While that does help speed communications, it can also unfortunately allow classified information to get out of a classified area inadvertently or otherwise.

"We realize occasionally the restrictions might seem overly strict when the new technologies come out, but it's better to be overly cautious than to have an incident," Ms. Guidicini said.

"It takes just a little common sense to realize that if you have a cell phone with a camera, you should leave it home if you work in a classified area," said Tech. Sgt. Shon Kloepping, 72nd Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of physical security.

If someone in a restricted area has one of the phones with a camera capability and a security forces troop discovers it, he or she would be forced to confiscate the camera for review of unlawful images, Sergeant Kloepping said.

Additionally, civilian employees could face federal charges and military members could face federal charges and Uniform Code of Military Justice actions, he said.

But it is not just a good idea to limit their use in "secure rooms" where classified information is being processed, said Peter Bryant, Air Force Materiel Command security forces directorate information security chief.

"You should watch how you use and carry those anywhere you're dealing with sensitive or proprietary information," he said.

If people see someone using any unauthorized camera without coordinating with base agencies, contact the base security forces squadron, Mr. Bryant said.

"It all comes down to being aware," Sergeant Kloepping said. (Courtesy of AFMC News Service)