COMMENTARY: Protecting information security: Detecting the insider threat Published Oct. 4, 2013 By Scott R. Buono 100th Air Refueling Wing Information Protection RAF MILDENHALL, England -- It's a sad reality, but the U.S. has been betrayed by people holding positions of trust. We refer to these individuals as "insiders." Arguably, insiders have caused more damage than trained, foreign professional intelligence officers working on behalf of their respective governments. Through willing acts or negligence, insiders put our national security at risk and can cause harm to the United States. The increase in the number of personnel with access to sensitive information, the ease of transmitting information through the Internet, and the growing demand for sensitive information from multiple "customers" (anyone seeking sensitive information, such as governments, companies or criminals) have made the ability to gather and pass the information simpler. Enemies look for individuals with vulnerabilities, weaknesses or circumstances that could be easily exploited. It's the combination of a vulnerability and an enemy threat which presents a serious danger to national security. Although money is one of the most common vulnerabilities, it's not the only one. Additionally, foreign connections, ideology, sex, love and a grudge against one's own government have all motivated American citizens to commit espionage in the past. When a Department of Defense employee completes his or her security clearance paperwork, the DoD uses specific guidelines to determine who may be trusted with sensitive information or assigned to sensitive duties. Since people's lives constantly change, the DoD uses a program to detect adverse changes and evaluate an individual's activities. Commanders, supervisors and each are responsible for informing the 100th Air Refueling Wing Information Protection Office when there are questionable actions that may lead to a security concern. Each individual should be able to recognize possible espionage and report it promptly. Some warning signs that could indicate espionage activity include extensive foreign travel, disregard for security regulations, unnecessary overtime or unusual work hours, repeated attempts to gain access to classified material or a classified area, bringing cameras or thumb drives into a secure area and unexplained affluence. Not every suspicious circumstance or behavior represents a spy in our midst, but every situation needs to be examined to determine whether our nation's secrets are at risk. Based on past history, individuals caught committing espionage were later found to have displayed one or more of the indicators mentioned above. Each person is the first line of defense against espionage. Report suspicious behavior to your supervisor, unit security manager, commander, the wing information protection office or the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. For more information, contact the information protection office at DSN 238-3194 or commercial at 01638-543194.