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. Long-distance   circuits   use   microwave   radio 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: