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NEWS

Army Social Media Handbook shares best practices, with an eye towards security

Publication answers questions while addressing security concerns

By Alex Salta Aug 25 2011
Of all the federal agencies now using social media, the U.S. Army faces a set of challenges that can only be found within the defense community. Namely, how to encourage agency employees to embrace social media while ensuring that they avoid compromising personal, unit, or national security. In an attempt to answer this riddle, the Army has recently published an official social media handbook that agency heads hope will help aid transparency and ensure that agency communicators know the ins and outs of the rapidly changing internet landscape.  






 

This is not the Army's first foray into drafting a handbook. This past January a preliminary version was released but soon after Staff Sgt. Dale Sweetnam, of the Army's Online and Social Media Division, started collecting feedback, identifying areas to update and drafting ideas for new sections. Once the new information was gathered, the updated handbook was drafted in a matter of "two to three weeks" according to Brittany Brown, the Army's Social Media Manager.

So far the response among the Army personnel overseas and in combat has been overwhelmingly positive. "For them, social media is a way to not only stay abreast of what's going on in the Army, but also as a way to stay connected to loved ones," Brown told OhMyGov. "It is commonplace that loved ones and Army supporters write testimonials about the reassurance they feel when they see their loved one logged into Facebook chat or after they have reconnected via Skype. While we recognize that not all Soldiers have access to social networking sites, we also know that it's the way today's Soldiers stay connected and share their lives with others."

But staying connected with loved ones is not the only concern for Army personnel using social media ---- ensuring the security of themselves and their comrades always takes precedence... even on Twitter.

"Army organizations and soldiers must keep operations security in mind with every post, photo and video loaded to social media platforms because adversaries are constantly trolling social media sites to find bits and pieces of information that can be aggregated to tell a larger story," Brown said.

The social media team has "several initiatives to keep the force educated about the importance of operations security" according to Brown. Briefings to groups of personnel and a biweekly social media training known as the "Social Media Roundup" are two ways that the Army addresses developments, concerns, and best practices tips with members of all ranks.

Security concerns and literal "life or death" scenarios are a common aspect of military life, and that doesn't change by logging onto Facebook. But with an in-depth and well crafted policy the Army can help to ensure that just because someone might be in a war zone half a world away, they don't have to hesitate to use social media as a way to take a few minutes to "visit" home and those that care about them.

www.OhMyGov.com
 

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