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USMC bans the use of popular social networking sites on all Marine Corps-owned PCs and computer networks

As the world moves into a Web 2.0 social media world, the U.S. Marine Corps announced it banned the use of social networking websites on all Marine Corps-owned PCs and notebooks.

Specifically, banning the use of Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter will help eliminate possible security risks the Marines must deal with on all unclassified computers.

"These Internet sites in general are a proven haven for malicious actors and content and are particularly high risk due to information exposure, user-generated content and targeting by adversaries,” according to a memo published on the official Marines web site.  “The very nature of social-networking sites creates a larger attack and exploitation window, exposes unnecessary information to adversaries and provides an easy conduit for information leakage,” which may lead to additional security risks.

All Marines still are allowed to have accounts on social networking sites, of course, but won't be allowed to visit the sites while using a PC or computer network belonging to the DoD.

It's an interesting move, especially considering each military branch has embraced social networking as a viable tool to help reach new recruits, inform the public, and easily communicate with one another.  For example, Gen. David Petraeus, who is in charge of the U.S. Central Command, has almost 7,000 Facebook fans, while Adm. Mike Mullen, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, has more than 4,500 users on Twitter.

The Pentagon hasn't banned social networking on work computers yet, but it's possible similar rules will be put into place before 2010.  Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn's mandatory investigation into the pros and cons of social networking -- expected to be finished before the end of the month -- will look into the ways the DoD can utilize social networking, while hopefully avoiding its pitfalls.

All classified computers are unable to access social networking sites and many other popular online destinations, but the issue of unclassified computers being used for social networking will likely drag on.

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Understatement
By djc208 on 8/6/2009 7:49:23 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
All classified computers are unable to access social networking sites and many other popular online destinations


Classified computers can't access the internet period. Part of the thing that makes them secure is that they're a closed system.

As for banning social networks on the NMCI network, it's a bad thing for deployed military as it reduces their ability to stay connected to friends and family, but besides the security issues, it's also a huge time and bandwith sink. All that streaming media and interaction means it sucks up resources that are needed to do other things besides being a huge distraction to most of these young sailors and soldiers, especially when most of them are probably accessing this across lower bandwith, expensive satelite links.




RE: Understatement
By rdeegvainl on 8/6/2009 8:00:04 AM , Rating: 2
This isn't a ban on the NMCI network, as that was already blocked. It is on MCEN. Also, social networking sites offer very little in the ability to stay connected to friends and family while deployed, over e-mail and a contact list.


RE: Understatement
By tdawg on 8/6/2009 6:19:22 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Also, social networking sites offer very little in the ability to stay connected to friends and family while deployed, over e-mail and a contact list.


Seriously? A marine deployed in Iraq or Afghanastan probably doesn't get a lot of free time to use the internet/check email, etc. The ability to update his friends and family with one post on MySpace or Facebook, learn what his friends and family are up to back home via wall posts, twitter posts and such is much, much quicker than responding to and writing dozens, maybe hundreds of email messages, depending on the size of his contact list.

It may be the "it" thing right now to disparage any use of social networks, but face it, social networking sites keep people connected easily. The real question is how this could affect morale with troops that now lose a centralized way to stay connected to everybody back home.


RE: Understatement
By knutjb on 8/6/2009 6:41:45 PM , Rating: 2
You don't get it. Sometimes guys go for months without family communications because of ops tempos, talking to those back home doesn't out weigh mission security. They don't live in a frat house.

The military does the best it can to provide communications with friend and family but never at the cost of security.


RE: Understatement
By tdawg on 8/6/2009 6:58:20 PM , Rating: 2
Not sure where I stated that access to social networks outweighs all responsibilities and security requirements, but ok.

The computers on the network are just regular PCs with internet connections and unclassified information on them. They're no more secure without access to social networks than with it. If you want to preserve mission security on base at all times, don't offer any connection to internet or phones at all and require all written letters to go through the military censors.

Of course ops require long periods of time between communication opportunities with family and friends back home. Social networks just allow users to maximize what little time they may get over the course of their deployment once they do get an opportunity to reach out to those back home.


RE: Understatement
By rdeegvainl on 8/7/2009 9:36:02 AM , Rating: 2
Access to social networks do NOT outweigh ANY responsibility or security requirement.


RE: Understatement
By tdawg on 8/7/2009 11:15:54 AM , Rating: 2
Did I say otherwise?


RE: Understatement
By RandallMoore on 8/6/2009 8:17:27 PM , Rating: 3
The problem that the US Military is running into right now is the increasing number of IDIOTS that post info on tactics/plans/equipment/god knows what else. One of my best friends tells me all the time of people getting caught posting videos of tactics and procedures. Something that can be accessed by anyone from anywhere.


RE: Understatement
By rdeegvainl on 8/7/2009 9:34:02 AM , Rating: 2
If you haven't figured out how to send an e-mail to more than one person at a time, that is your problem.


RE: Understatement
By TheEinstein on 8/6/09, Rating: -1
RE: Understatement
By Chaser on 8/6/2009 9:17:34 AM , Rating: 5
DOD classified computers are on a closed network. They do not have access to the outside world nor public networks, inter or intra.

Some unscrupulous users might copy data from the unclassified side to the secure side but no classified computers or networks are "connected" to the unclassified side. That is explicitly forbidden by DOD policy and strictly enforced.


RE: Understatement
By Bateluer on 8/6/2009 9:59:39 AM , Rating: 1
Your information is mistaken. There are plenty of classified systems that are connected to the Internet. This is why there are standards on classified data and encryption.


RE: Understatement
By MrPoletski on 8/6/2009 10:07:28 AM , Rating: 3
I think it is safe to say there are different levels of 'classified' and above a certain level warrants being on a separate network as the previous poster elucidates.


RE: Understatement
By foolsgambit11 on 8/6/2009 1:40:41 PM , Rating: 2
Or there are standards for the transmission of classified information over unclassified networks for those occasions when there is no access to a classified network but information still needs to be distributed. Take, for example, an operative in a remote area without access to a classified US network who needs to send a report in, or needs additional data to successfully complete a mission.

Also, even the classified networks use encryption to ensure that an eavesdropper can't access the data by tapping into the network by, for example, listening to any of the various satellite links. And radios like SINCGARS used for tactical combat networks broadcast - inherently unsecure - and thus need to employ encryption to protect classified data. Network separation isn't the only tool used to protect classified data. Encryption and physical security also play vital roles. In other words, the fact that there are DOD standards for transmitting classified data over unsecured channels doesn't necessarily mean there are classified computers connected to the internet.

To be clear, I'm not denying that there may be classified systems connected to the internet. Without searching for a policy letter specifically prohibiting it in all cases, I couldn't say. But I can say that in 10 years of work in MI, in various locations and with various networks, I never encountered a classified computer (or any data storage device that had ever been connected to a classified computer) that was allowed to connect to the internet.


RE: Understatement
By Hawkido on 8/6/2009 12:29:39 PM , Rating: 2
You are talking out of your butt citing a case involving a dirtbag. Plus CIA is not a military organization. The NSA is however... The CIA is a civilian org.

SIPRnet does NOT have internet access. There are NIPRnet computers available for Internet usage. The secured computersystems are clearly labled and segregated in different rooms, and you cannot even have a cell phone in the rooms where SIPRnet computers are.

So before you EVER try to blast the Military, check your facts, and you anti-military bias at the door, hell just stay outside the door!


RE: Understatement
By rippleyaliens on 8/6/2009 1:00:08 PM , Rating: 2
Actually the point of not posting on facebook or myspace, twitter, etc... is a very simple but VALID point.
50,000 Marines as an example. IE a Full MEF- Marine Expeditionary Force.
Of those 50k marines, the bulk are combat arms, etc..
The last thing ya need is posting pics/stories/etc on what ya did. While i was in the Marines, it was the same thing, yet with Mail/Phone calls.
Yah never know who is reading those blogs/posts etc.. seriously. NOT A major point of security, yet, if you search and find 2-3 people listing the exact simular things, about what they did last week, this is called INTEL. And believe me, Our enemy has internet and cell phones as well.

Not every Marine is a Infantry man, who kinda knows better.
Admin pukes, motor T, and support Marines, who are all GOOD to GO, but sometimes arent the best at understanding the simplistic of warfare..

First rule is ya dont talk about it..
Second rule is ya dont talk about it...
Third rule, is ya wait till ya get home, when your units are SAFE before breaking the silence.
Very serious about these.. If Marine A, posts something on facebook in reference to what happened the last time he went on patrol. One of his friends, may post something in reference to that activity on HIS facebook, ETC>>>>. The whispering friend kinda tells the tale and gets said marine in trouble.....

PS.. As a Marine, i can tell you this.. IN THE MARINE CORPS.. Which i love, They have rules, that can make your head spin. For instance, i recall 2 of my buddies, singing a Rap song, (NWA BACK IN 1991), Well that song was heard by a WM (woman marine), and within 24 hrs, these 2 devildogs were standing infront of THE MAN (a LT COL,). This particular WM was veryyyyyyy permiscious (company slut)..
I showed the First SGT, the video of her taking off her clothes, while we were Helo repelling.. Saved my buddies ARSE, BUT that lets ya know. How sensitive INFO can be in the USMC...Very serious about that.


RE: Understatement
By dxf2891 on 8/6/2009 4:07:32 PM , Rating: 2
I couldn't agree more Devil Dog. During the glory days prior to the first Iraq war (Desert Storm), there was a war on drugs. My unit in particular did some heinous things in the name of the American Way (I can loosely talk about these things as they were declassified as of 12/31/08). How do you think things would have turned out if Jody and Suzy were posting photos and details of our advanced deployments in Bolivia and Columbia to erridicate drug lords and their cartels? There was an unofficial saying from my days in the Corps: We fight for freedoms that we ourselves can't enjoy. OooRah!!!!


RE: Understatement
By Sazar on 8/6/2009 1:25:58 PM , Rating: 2
SIPR, sure, but with a NIPR config you can get on most sites.

A DOD-wide ban on social networking sites accessed through DOD systems seems prudent I would think :)


RE: Understatement
By nocturnnow on 8/6/2009 2:29:31 PM , Rating: 2
not to mention those fools that use those sites for less than acceptable conduct and as a result are going through court martial proceedings as we speak.


Marine owned
By nvalhalla on 8/6/2009 7:47:40 AM , Rating: 3
"USMC bans the use of popular social networking sites on all Marine-owned PCs and computer networks"

Marine owned and Marine Corps owned is not the same thing. The first paragraph has it right, might want to fix that.




RE: Marine owned
By Amiga500 on 8/6/2009 8:04:43 AM , Rating: 2
Good spot.

I assume it is the latter, and not the former that applies here.

Latter makes perfect sense - indeed the only question is why was it not done a long time ago?

The former is draconian.


RE: Marine owned
By MrPoletski on 8/6/2009 10:09:20 AM , Rating: 2
But the former is effectively in place when the only internet connection available is one provided by the USMC... and that ISP has blocked these sites (from what I gather)


RE: Marine owned
By knutjb on 8/6/2009 6:22:18 PM , Rating: 2
When those who deploy with their personal computers, regardless of service, if they connect to the internet at a deployed location they are doing so over a GOVERNMENT NETWORK because there are no other providers available. So ALL computers connecting to the internet at deployed locations must abide by the same rules as Government computers. All communications MUST be controlled.

Banning connection to social networking sites IS NOT draconian, even on personal computers, it is a necessity. Security cannot bow to open, unchecked speech in a sensitive environment where peoples lives depend on tight control of all forms of communications and that is no stretch. This is no difference than blacking out parts of or whole letters in other wars for security.

Better very safe than sorry won't likely register for those who have not served, particularly, in a combat environment. I know several people who received what would seem like harsh punishment, careers were ended, for social networking faux pas that looked either innocent or humorous at the time but caused serious problems.

Have you ever read the fine print when logging onto ANY government website, it will surprise you the rights you give up to access it.


The U.S. Coast Guard
By Chaser on 8/6/2009 9:22:44 AM , Rating: 2
...blocked Myspace, Facebook, and You Tube over a year ago. No biggie or surprise.




RE: The U.S. Coast Guard
By MrPoletski on 8/6/2009 10:11:48 AM , Rating: 3
yeah fancy that, the USMC has turned around and told a few of its soldiers to 'get a life' hehe. The rest of them are going 'Face-what?, wheres ma chew?'


RE: The U.S. Coast Guard
By KakarotUSMC on 8/6/2009 9:07:22 PM , Rating: 2
The Army has soldiers.

The Marine Corps has Marines.

Semper Fi.


Headline is misleading
By Memphis Sears on 8/6/2009 9:24:10 AM , Rating: 2
The "other branches" is not true. The USAF has banned the access of these sites by personnel using USAF computers and networks for years. In a lot of deployed locations, a "Morale Network" is set up to allow the access to nearly everything, excluding porn/ gambling/ and other "offensive" sites.

Also, any computer that is attached to the SIPRNET (SECRET) or higher network will not have ANY AUTHORIZED access to the internet.




RE: Headline is misleading
By Bateluer on 8/6/2009 10:02:31 AM , Rating: 2
The USAF set up a psuedo-social network site, but like most things the USAF did with the Internet, it blows.


RE: Headline is misleading
By MrPoletski on 8/6/2009 10:12:44 AM , Rating: 3
What was that called? MyAirSpace?


"Fishy" Story
By DaveLessnau on 8/6/2009 10:05:10 AM , Rating: 2
Hey, is this a "fishy" story as per:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-...

The relevant quote from that link is:

"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."

Now, this DailyTech story isn't about healthcare. But, maybe I should be proactive and inform on DailyTech to the flag@whitehouse.gov email address anyway.




RE: "Fishy" Story
By GaryJohnson on 8/6/2009 11:55:05 AM , Rating: 2
What part of this story is fishy, disinformation, or rumor?


RE: "Fishy" Story
By Jonh68 on 8/6/2009 12:30:06 PM , Rating: 2
We will not know until the WH tells us if it is or not.


Waiver
By rdeegvainl on 8/6/2009 8:07:24 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
It's an interesting move, especially considering each military branch has embraced social networking as a viable tool to help reach new recruits, inform the public, and easily communicate with one another.


There is a section in the message detailing how to get a waiver allowing access. This is for those that need access, particularly recuriters and public affairs and such.




By kattanna on 8/6/2009 10:44:37 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
As the world moves into a Web 2.0 social media world


LOL considering most of the people in the world dont even have an internet connection i find this disconnect with the world at large amusing.




By Donkeyshins on 8/6/2009 1:23:24 PM , Rating: 2
It looks as if the Marine Corps still allows access to Fleshbot.




Exceptions To Policy
By KakarotUSMC on 8/6/2009 9:14:01 PM , Rating: 2
There are exceptions to this policy. Marine Corps Recruiting Command has a standing exception due to the heavy reliance on social networking sites for recruiting new prospects.

Many recruiters and Officer Selection Officers have set up accounts on various sites in strict accordance with Marine Corps policies for the express purposes of speaking with potential recruits as well as managing the people who are already contracted and awaiting training.

Semper Fi.




Security
By HM3 on 8/10/2009 10:20:12 AM , Rating: 2
The real issue is having troops posting unit movements and other vital info that can leave other in harms way. Many of times information is posted in which troops are ordered not to release this info, not only can this get them killed but several others are now put in harms way due to someone wanting to tell their high school friend what they are doing while deployed.

Many times people forget how much work people are willing to due to remove a few military from the field. As to being away from the family, yes this is hard but everything that happens in the military is no secret. You know you will be sent away from family for long time frames and placed in harms way. FYI THIS IS PART OF JOINING THE MILITARY AND YES YOU ARE TOLD THIS FROM THE START. If someone doesn’t like it join Green Peace.




"The whole principle [of censorship] is wrong. It's like demanding that grown men live on skim milk because the baby can't have steak." -- Robert Heinlein









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