Recent
technology and website activities have raised security matters
that are of potential concern to all naval personnel.
They concern the new generation of mobile telephones and similar
items with photographic capability and the placing of personal
information on websites.
Defence policy relating to mobile phones with picture taking capabilities
has been clarified in Defence Security Instruction 7/2003.
However, you should note that both the Crimes Act and Defence
Act already contain provisions prohibiting unauthorised persons
from photographing Defence establishments and projects.
DSI 7/2003 addresses security concerns arising where Personal
Electronic Devices (PEDs) such as mobile phones, personal digital
assistants (eg. PalmPilots) and certain wristwatches have photographic
and audio recording capability.
The Instruction amounts to a reaffirmation of existing security
policy whereby any device with a photographic recording capability
is to be treated as if it were a camera. It doesn’t matter
that the device is primarily a telephone, wristwatch, PDA etc.
The degree of control exerted over these items will depend on
the nature and sensitivity of work carried on within any given
Defence area.
In some areas they can be carried freely, whereas in others they
will be classed as a “Restricted Item” and their possession
within that area will be either prohibited (i.e. leave it outside
with a guard) or controlled
(i.e. you must have express permission to carry the item in or
into the area).
In most ships and establishments the question of how these items
are treated will be determined by the Security Officer, who maintains
a list of “Restricted Items”. This list is found in
Security Standing Orders. The Security Officer will circulate
these with all personnel required to sign an acknowledgment that
he or she has read and understood them.
Schoolfriends.com.au
is a website aimed specifically at assisting people in reuniting
and maintaining contact with friends, particularly old school
friends.
It recently launched a Defence section on its website, aimed at
members of the ADF.
While the site in itself may be harmless and perhaps admirable,
from a security perspective this raises some serious concerns
about the price of keeping in touch.
If you’d like to use the site you need to consider the implications
to Defence, Defence personnel and Australia’s national interests
if you intend providing specific information such as work details,
posting information or information concerning your roles and responsibilities
within Defence on any website.
You must be aware that such information can be used for much more
than keeping in touch.
Any information provided to any website makes it publicly available
to anyone who wishes to use it, such as foreign intelligence services,
issue motivated groups and other groups or individuals who may
not have the best interests of Defence members at heart.
Seemingly personal and harmless information, such as your unit
or base location, constitutes ‘official information’
and you are reminded of your responsibilities in relation to the
public dissemination of such information.
If you have posted details of your past and current employment
or role within Defence on any website, you should review it immediately.
Freo
grabs head by its horns
The
18-month quest to cement HMAS Fremantle’s (LCDR Matt Brown)
identity as a proud Darwin resident has ended.
The magnificent new Silver Buffalo figurehead (pictured) was unveiled
during a family day in Darwin Harbour.
The imposing horns of this beautifully chromed masterpiece measure
1.47m from tip-to-tip.
Photo courtesy of HMASFremantle.
