OPS Code of Ethics

OPSEC Journal First Edition, 1993

 

NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

Modern OPSEC can be traced to the Vietnam War and to the efforts of the Purple Dragon Team. Some 25 plus years later, we are still using the "proven process" developed by that team in efforts to provide meaningful protection to critical information. The Cold War is over and the geo-political equations have changed. The sum of these changes is that OPSEC and the process associated with it are even more relevant. Battlefields in the form of regional conflicts likely will remain. However, increasingly we will see more conflict in the area of information control and exploitation. OPSEC should provide a significant service in meeting this theater of war -- protecting ideas. Intellectual property, to include proprietary information and trade secrets, critical technologies, economic and commercial information require protection The OPSEC approach significantly can contribute to finding cost effective ways in meeting that need. 

 

This, the first edition of our journal, covers a myriad of subjects. The contributors examine such diverse topics as: "Structuring OPSEC", "Counter - Competitor Intelligence" and "National Security Policy and The Protection of Strategic Economic Information". The topics are diverse but all are related to OPSEC and to its successful application.

 

We look forward to your comments and suggestions. Our goal is to provide the membership and other interested readers with a form of transferring OPSEC knowledge and to explore new or even controversial ideas.

 

Joseph Saul,
The President

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EDITOR'S COMMENTS -  Howard M. Ferrill, CPP, OCP : Editor

 

The analytical process we recognize as Operations Security (OPSEC) has been around for about 25 years, yet with the exception of the publications of the Interagency OPSEC Support Staff (IOSS) there is an outstanding lack of literature on the subject. The major factor that lead to this situation, and considerable confusion about what OPSEC actually is, is the fact that we did not have a National OPSEC Program for nearly 20 years after its birth. The signing of the National Security Decision Directive (NSDD-298) in 1988, started a series of events leading to this journal. In 1989, IOSS was established, followed by the OPSEC Professionals Society (OPS) in 1990, which lead to the commitment to prepare The OPSEC Journal. 

 

During the 20 year period between the birth of OPSEC and the signing of NSDD-298, OPSEC programs ran hot and cold and the true identity of OPSEC became obscure. Well-meaning individuals started putting "labels" on OPSEC to satisfy their own agendas. The problems with many of these labels were that they were "almost-true. " They often had a direct relationship to an aspect or application of OPSEC, but failed to recognize it for what it actually is - an analytical process, nothing more.

 

 In this, our first edition, we have a pot pourri of articles on OPSEC and OPSEC related subjects. They range from articles we hope stimulate the way you think about OPSEC, articles that relate to the need to apply OPSEC in a Global Economy and comparison from two somewhat dated presentations. These two transcripts by Richard Helms and Michelle Van Cleave have been included because of their insight into the need for OPSEC processes in a changing world.

 

I would like to thank those individuals who contributed to this first edition of The OPSEC Journal, with a special thanks to Audrey, Rosemary and Martha. The success of future editions will depend largely on you, our members and readers who comprise our future contributors. Do not feel constrained to write only about the OPSEC process. Any article relating to OPSEC applications, needs, methods, successes, tutorials and how to do the job will be appreciated. Please send abstracts directly to:

 

The OPSEC Professionals Society
Attn: Journal

120 West Church Street

Frederick MD, 21701

 

If you have an idea for an article, or any questions please feel free to call me at (713) 488-0193.

 

Articles

 

The Nature of OPSEC - George F. Jelen
National Security Policy and the Protection of Strategic Economic Information - Michelle Van Cleave
Economic Counterintelligence the Role of the U.S. Government in Protecting U.S. Companies from Industrial Espionage - Richard M. Helms
Counter-Competitor Intelligence: Keeping Company Secrets Secret - Arion N. Pattakos, CPP, OCP
Walking the Tightrope - Howard M. Ferrill, CPP, OCP
Structuring OPSEC - Donald R. Peeples, Ph.D. and Fred Lothrop, OCP
You Know He is Coming, But You Don't Have to Bake Him a Cake! (OPSEC and On-Site Inspection) - Rosemary N. Hutchins
Maskirovka and OPSEC - Greg Howe
Determining Critical and Sensitive Information - Donald R. Peeples, Ph.D.

 

 

 

 

Page Last Updated On April 7, 2006