COMPROMISE OF CLASSIFIED MATTER According to SECNAVINST 5510.36, compromise is  An unauthorized disclosure of classified information to one or more persons who do not possess a current valid security clearance.   This means that material is compromised  if  someone  loses,  steals,  captures, salvages, or sees the material without being cleared. The material is also compromised if a person who has seen the material defects. The compromise of classified information threatens our  national  security.  How  much  of  a  threat  the compromise is depends on the nature and classification of the compromised material. If you know that material is compromised or subject to compromise, report the facts to your superiors right away. If you find classified documents where they don’t belong, such as lying in the street or on a beach, turn the documents in to your superior or to the nearest military activity. While this doesn’t seem possible, it has happened! A security violation is defined as   any failure to comply  with  the  regulations  for  the  protection  and security of classified material. If you find an unattended open or unlocked safe or container  in  which  classified  material  is  stowed,  a security violation has been committed. You must report the discovery immediately to the senior duty officer. Then, guard the material until the duty officer arrives. After inspecting the material, the duty officer will lock the safe. If it’s believed that the material is or may have been compromised, the duty officer will have the person responsible for the material make a detailed inventory. PERSONAL CENSORSHIP One  form  of  classified  material  that  can’t  be physically safeguarded is the information you carry around in your head. You are the only person who can prevent its disclosure. Be constantly on guard to prevent revealing classified information—either by talking or by writing. A World War II slogan that’s still effective is “Loose lips sink ships.” Loose talk, even to a person who has the same  knowledge  you  have,  may  be  overheard  by unauthorized persons. All of us like to talk about our ships, our jobs, and our travels. However, when we do, we  should  be  sure  we  don’t  discuss  classified information in our conversations. Loose  talk  in  public  places  can  be  especially damaging. Intelligence agents are trained to collect bits of seemingly harmless information. Putting all the bits together  might  produce  a  comprehensive  file  of classified information. Never  discuss  classified  information  over telephones, as they constitute one of the least secure systems of communication. Telephones are subject to wiretapping—both  physically  and  electronically. L o n g - d i s t a n c e   c i r c u i t s   u s e   m i c r owave   r a d i o transmission, which is easily intercepted. The use of homemade or unauthorized codes, double-talk, or an attempt to talk around a classified subject provides no protection against trained intelligence personnel. The methods used by foreign intelligence agents take many forms. An agent could be male or female, young or old, or of any national origin or background. Foreign agents exist in our everyday lives as ordinary people.  They  could  blackmail  you  or  make  threats against you or members of your family. They may take the friendly approach and offer you friendship, money, or other things of value. They may even promise to assist your relatives living in a foreign country. They may offer any number of things in return for classified material or bits of information that seem unimportant to you.  Always  remember  that  people  who  deal  in espionage are experts in dealing with people. REPORTING SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES Whether you have access to classified material or not,  you  must  report  to  your  commanding  officer, through your chain of command, anyone you suspect is involved with espionage, sabotage, or is compromising classified material. If a stranger approaches you asking inappropriate questions when you are on leave or liberty status and you cannot contact your chain of command, report this information to the nearest military activity. Being security conscious and following security standards  and  requirements  is  a  big  responsibility. However,  maintaining  proper  security  can  be accomplished if you realize that security really is a personal concern. 22-14 Student Notes: