You Can’t Handle the OPSEC

14 December 2007 by Revelator.

Reading The Godfather’s input on OPSEC in the movies prompted me to pull out something I wrote while working in the Joint OPSEC Support Element. I suspect when you read it you’ll get the movie reference to include the specific scene. Enjoy…

You want OPSEC? You want OPSEC? You can’t handle the OPSEC!
     Son, we live in a world that has no security, so critical information needs to be guarded by men with OPSEC. Who’s gonna do it? You? OPSEC can have a greater impact than you can possibly fathom.
     You weep for INFOSEC and you curse COMPUSEC. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know - that the OPSEC process, while a pain in the ass to you, saves lives; and my existence as an OPSEC professional, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives.
     You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want my OPSEC - you need my OPSEC.
     We use words like “vulnerability”, “indicator”, and “countermeasure.” We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline.
     I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a person who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the Operations Security I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it.
     I would rather you just said “thank you” and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you shut your mouth and protect your critical information.

Keep the Faith!

Revelator

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