Personal information must be protected

Many of our enemies are constantly trying to steal information, which, in the wrong hands, could hinder the mission. Terrorists, identity thieves and hackers are focused on the regression of our freedom.

The Air Force is determined to protect the information we are charged to safeguard.

“Personal identifiable information is information about an individual that identifies, links, relates, is unique to, or describes him or her, like Social Security number, age, military rank, civilian grade, marital status, race, salary, home or office (and any other) information that is linked or linkable to a specified individual,” said Paula Thomas, 86th Communication Squadron freedom of information act and privacy act officer.

The release of PII can cause serious problems and even put Airmen, their families and the Air Force at risk.

The information the U.S. government has about individuals must be balanced with their privacy invasion rights and must be protected against unwarranted invasions of their privacy, stemming from federal agencies’ collection, maintenance, use and disclosure of personal information about an individual.

“The possibility of a breach of personal information, coupled with potential identity theft, are paramount adversities,” said Airman 1st Class Justin Grimm, 86th CS Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act specialist. “The loss of control, compromise, unauthorized disclosure, unauthorized acquisition, unauthorized access, or any similar term referring to situations where persons other than authorized personnel have access or potential access to PII.”

Usually, a PII incident is a careless mistake. Nonetheless, the free world could be at stake.

For this reason, operational security is important to ensure steps are being taken to protect our information.

“The best way to prevent an incident is to think OPSEC on a daily basis,” Grimm said. “No one can make you give up your personal information”

Protecting this information is everyone’s responsibility.