Simone Lawson
Cyber awareness is an important aspect of maintaining security, especially with the increasing prevalence of cyber threats. One key concept in cyber awareness is spillage, which refers to the unauthorised transfer of classified or sensitive information to individuals, systems, or networks. This can be either inadvertent or intentional. To prevent spillage, it is crucial to follow certain practices, such as labelling files, removable media, and subject headers with appropriate classification markings, and being cautious when discussing potentially classified information. Understanding spillage and its prevention is essential for maintaining the security of sensitive information and mitigating potential risks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Spillage | The transfer of classified or sensitive information to individuals, systems, or networks that are not authorized to access such information |
| Preventing spillage | Label all files, removable media, and subject headers with appropriate classification markings |
| Actions after finding classified information on the internet | Note any identifying information and the website's Uniform Resource Locator (URL) |
| Actions after finding information you know to be classified on the internet | Note the website's URL and report the situation to your security point of contact |
| Response to a reporter's inquiry about government information not cleared for public release | Ignore the inquiry, refer the reporter to your organization's public affairs office, gather as much information as possible about the reporter's source, and tell the reporter that the information must not be publicly shared |
| Response to a neighbour's inquiry about a classified security project | Attempt to change the subject to something non-work related, neither confirm nor deny the article's authenticity |
| Best practice for protecting your home wireless network for telework | Do not use your router's pre-set Service Set Identifier (SSID) and password |
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What You'll Learn
Using your Common Access Card (CAC) as photo ID with a commercial entity
The Common Access Card (CAC) is a secure form of identification issued by the U.S. Department of Defense, primarily for military personnel and certain civilian employees. It is used for physical and logical access control, allowing individuals to access military facilities and systems and serving as a digital identity for authentication purposes.
Using the CAC as photo identification with a commercial entity is not appropriate. This is because the CAC is intended for official military and government-related purposes only. It should not be used for personal identification with commercial entities or transactions. For example, it is inappropriate to use the CAC to verify your identity when checking into a hotel or making a purchase at a store. The CAC should not be used to receive a discount at a retail store.
The CAC should be used in accordance with strict guidelines and regulations to ensure security and proper use. It is vital to maintain possession of the CAC at all times to prevent unauthorized access. If the CAC is lost or misplaced, it should be reported immediately to the appropriate authority to prevent unauthorized use and ensure the security of the information it contains.
When leaving a workstation, it is important to remove the CAC from the computer to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. This helps to maintain security and integrity in its function.
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Taking sensitive information home for telework without authorization
Working remotely can increase the likelihood of compromises to an organization's sensitive information. Threat actors use different methods to target remote workers, such as:
- Physical access to a device: Threat actors can tamper with or steal devices that are left unattended in public.
- Phishing: Threat actors pose as legitimate organizations and request sensitive information such as passwords or credit card details via email, text, or phone call.
To prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, organizations should implement additional security measures. Here are some measures to protect sensitive information when working remotely:
- Use only authorized devices: Avoid using personal computers, tablets, or cellphones for work purposes. Use devices approved by your organization to ensure they meet the required security standards.
- Implement multi-factor authentication: Require multiple authentication factors, such as a PIN and fingerprint, to unlock devices and access sensitive information.
- Secure your router: Update your home router's software and protect it with a strong, unique passphrase. This prevents unauthorized access to your network.
- Create strong passwords: Use passwords that include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid sharing passwords electronically, and do not write them down.
- Encrypt sensitive information: Protect the confidentiality of sensitive information during storage and transmission. Use encryption protocols and only allow access to secure websites on corporate devices.
- Follow organizational policies: Adhere to your organization's telework policies, including security measures and best practices. Understand the acceptable use of corporate devices and the management of sensitive information.
- Back up information regularly: Ensure that important information is regularly backed up and that the backups are stored securely.
- Apply the principle of least privilege: Restrict employee access to only the information necessary for their specific job roles. This minimizes the potential impact of unauthorized access.
By following these measures, organizations and employees can help safeguard sensitive information and reduce the risk of data breaches when working remotely.
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Posting an access roster in public view
The potential consequences of posting an access roster in public view can be significant. Unauthorized individuals who gain access to the roster may use the information to compromise network security. They could attempt to log in to systems using the credentials listed, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or secure areas. This could lead to data breaches, identity theft, or other malicious activities.
To prevent such incidents, it is crucial to handle access rosters with caution and maintain their confidentiality. Instead of posting them in public view, it is recommended to distribute access rosters only to authorized personnel who require the information. Each individual should be responsible for securely storing and protecting their own credentials.
Additionally, organizations should implement robust password policies that require regular password changes and encourage the use of complex and unique passwords. By doing so, even if an access roster falls into the wrong hands, the risk of unauthorized access is mitigated as the passwords are regularly updated.
Another best practice is to utilize password management tools or single sign-on solutions. These tools allow users to access multiple systems or applications with a single set of credentials, reducing the need for extensive access rosters. By centralizing authentication and access control, organizations can enhance security and minimize the risk of spillage.
In summary, posting an access roster in public view is a security breach and goes against cyber awareness principles. By understanding the potential risks associated with this action, individuals and organizations can take the necessary precautions to safeguard sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access to their systems and data.
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Using government email to sell something
Using a government email to sell something is not advisable and is considered inappropriate. Emails sent from government addresses are considered public records and are subject to retention policies and public disclosure.
Government emails should be used for communication and engagement with stakeholders and citizens, not for selling or advertising. Public sector email campaigns deal with public data, and privacy and security play a significant role. There are guidelines and regulations that must be followed to ensure privacy and avoid any potential risks.
It is important to understand the different types of government emails as per Federal Records law: transitory, short-term, and long-term. Transitory emails, which include personal emails with no official business, are kept for fewer than 90 days. Short-term emails are kept for 90 days to one year and can be stored in a shared drive or email folder. Long-term emails are those that document important decisions, require administrative action, or relate to an individual's affairs. These should be deleted when no longer needed.
When sending emails from a government account, it is important to avoid mixing personal and professional topics. If a personal message is sent from a government address, it should not be construed as an official position of the agency. A disclaimer can be included to clarify this.
In summary, using a government email to sell something is inappropriate due to the sensitive nature of government communications and the potential risks associated with privacy and security. Government emails are subject to specific retention policies and should be used solely for official purposes to avoid any legal or security issues.
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Using unauthorized services on GFE, e.g. filesharing
Using unauthorized services on GFE (Government-Furnished Equipment), such as filesharing, is a significant security risk and is not an appropriate use of GFE. This includes using unauthorized cloud-based applications or workarounds to exchange files, which is known as Shadow IT. Shadow IT often goes undetected by IT departments and falls outside of established protocols, exposing networks to potential compliance violations, data loss, and malicious cyberattacks.
Filesharing services are often used when email is not an option, but even reputable file-sharing platforms can pose risks. They are typically designed to be user-friendly and easily accessible, which also makes them vulnerable to unauthorized access by cybercriminals. For example, employees may mistakenly grant access to entire folders when they only intended to share a single file.
Email, while a common method of file sharing, is also unreliable and insecure. Sent information can end up in spam folders or be blocked by a recipient's IT department. Additionally, phishing scams in emails can give hackers access to personal information, passwords, photos, and business documentation.
To mitigate these risks, it is important to establish clear policies and guidelines for file sharing and social media usage. This includes prohibiting the sharing of business documentation via social media and educating employees on keeping their accounts secure. When selecting file-sharing software, it is essential to choose user-friendly options that dissuade users from finding insecure workarounds.
In summary, using unauthorized filesharing services on GFE is a security risk that can leave networks vulnerable to cyberattacks and data loss. By establishing comprehensive policies and choosing secure file-sharing platforms, organizations can mitigate these risks and protect their sensitive information.
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Frequently asked questions
Spillage occurs when classified or sensitive information is transferred to individuals, systems, or networks that are not authorized to access such information. It can be either inadvertent or intentional.
Moving classified data to a lower-classification level system or an unclassified system without authorization is considered spillage. This includes drafting a briefing on an unclassified system using details marked as "Secret" from a classified report.
To prevent spillage, it is crucial to label all files, removable media, and subject headers with appropriate classification markings. Additionally, when using government equipment, ensure it has valid anti-virus software before connecting it to the internet.
If you come across classified information on the internet, note the website's URL and report it to your security point of contact or follow your organization's established procedures. Do not confirm or deny the information's authenticity.
