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Vulnerabilities and Indicators. The OPSEC Process, step 3. Presented by: (Presenter’s Name). Provided by OSPA (www.opsecprofessionals.org). Definitions. Indicator Points to vulnerability or critical information
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Vulnerabilities and Indicators The OPSEC Process, step 3 Presented by: (Presenter’s Name) Provided by OSPA (www.opsecprofessionals.org)
Definitions • Indicator • Points to vulnerability or critical information • Vulnerability • Weakness the adversary can exploit to get to critical information
Indicators • Pathways or detectable activities that lead to specific information that, when looked at by itself or in conjunction with something else, allows an adversary to obtain sensitive information or identify a vulnerability
Profiles and Signatures • Adversaries look for Patterns and Signatures to establish a Profile • Patterns are the way things are done, arranged, or have occurred • Signatures are the emissions that are the result of, or caused by, what is or was done • Profiles are collected on all our activities, procedures and methodologies
Vulnerability Areas • Operations • Physical Environment • Personnel • Finance • Administrative • Logistics • Public Affairs • Family
Common Vulnerabilities • Discussion of sensitive information in unsecured areas. • Lack of policy/enforcement • Cameras • Cell Phones • Internet Usage • Shredding • Training/Awareness
Stereotyped Operations • Same Time • Same Place • Same People • Same Route • Same Way PREDICTIBILITY
Examples of Vulnerabilities • Publications • Press Releases • Unencrypted Email • Organization Website • Non-Secure Telephone
Examples of Vulnerabilities • Trash • Employee Turnover • Employee Mistakes • Lack of Good Passwords • Exhibits and Conventions
Communication Vulnerabilities • Radios • Cell Phones • Telephones • Facsimiles (Fax) • Computers
Common Vulnerabilities • Government Reliance on Commnercial Backbone • Domestic • Overseas Few Government-Owned Systems
Cell Phones • Incorporate a wide-spectrum of technologies • Analog/ Digital Wireless • Sound Recording • PDA • Camera • Streaming video • Computing/ Internet • And more
Cell Phones • Asset vs Vulnerability • The Good: • Convenience • “Reach out and touch someone” • Access to Commercial Numbers • Coordination Outside radio Range/ Frequency • The Bad and the Ugly • Multiple Technical Vulnerabilities • Typically Unsecure
Common Vulnerabilities • Computers • Access Control • Auditing • Regulations/ Policy • User Training • Passwords • Systems Accreditation
Common Vulnerabilities • Associated Computer Concerns • Email • Sniffer • Cookies • Virus/ Spyware • Web Logs (“Blogs”) • Instant Messaging (“IM”) • Personal Data Assistants (“PDAs”)
Areas of Vulnerability • Administration • Financial • Logistics • Operations
Administrative • Memos • Schedules • Travel Orders • Advance Plans • Annual Reviews • Org Charts • Job Announcements • Management Reports
Financial • Projections • Justifications • Financial Plans • Special Purchases • Budget and Contracts • Supplemental Requests
Logistics • Unusual Equipment • Volume or Priority Requisitions • Boxes Labeled With the Name of an Operation or Mission • etc
Operations • VIP Visits • Schedules • Stereotyped Activities • Increased Mission-Related Training • Abrupt Changes in Normal Operation
EVEN MORE Indicators and Vulnerabilities • Family • Personnel • Public Affairs • Physical Environment • Procedures and Reports
Indicators • Presence of specialized Equipment • Increase (or Decrease) in activity • Sudden Changes in Procedure • Unique Convoy Configuration • Staging of Cargo or Vehicles
Information of Intelligence Value Collectible Observable
Collectible Can be physically collected or intercepted Examples: Dumpster diving, cordless/cell phone interception, email, open source
Observable What you can see What you can smell What you can hear
What is our greatest Weakness? OURSELVES!
Questions? “In wartime, the truth is so precious that it must be protected by a bodyguard of lies.” • Winston Churchill