U.S. Navy CIO: Social Media Should Be Part of Military IT Standard
In a blog post this week, U.S. Navy CIO Rob Carey wrote that social media is a resource for the American military that should be used to build trust and collaboration, both within and outside the organization.
In attempts to balance communication, transparency, and operational security, the military has encountered both practical obstacles and general criticism. In a recent podcast, Carey said, "Most social networking tools come with no rules of the road. As the Internet moves towards user-generated content, we thought there was a void we could fill... to mitigate some of the security risks associated with social media."
Beyond risk management, Carey said, "Social media has a powerful collaboration engine associated with it."
Generally, military organizations have the options to reach out directly to large IT companies to configure customized security profiles and inherent OPSEC protection for personnel; traditionally, however, social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have not been particularly receptive to working within that type of culture or framework. From the sharing-and-access social media pole to the security/military pole, both sides are resistant to different approaches to shared and social information. Still, Carey is an advocate for the usefulness of these tools, even behind a military firewall.
"We must remain a learning organization. As the Internet evolves, so must our workforce and its associated skills. To that end, we must be able to embrace change," Carey wrote in his blog post. "Many of our processes are rooted in the Industrial Age and will need to move toward the Information Age to remain relevant in the coming years."
With specific regard to social media and the American military, Carey stated, "Social media is an inherent part of the toolbox for members of the millennial workforce, while baby boomers are just adopting it. Social media tools should become the standard by which we can share and collaborate on information inside and outside the network boundaries."
He also highlighted green initiatives, mobile working, and the use of modern technological tools in recruitment efforts.
To see Carey's office's Policy and Guidelines for Secure Use of Social Media by Federal Departments and Agencies, click here for a full PDF.
While Carey's optimism is to be applauded, one wonders what our military-minded friends will have to say about OPSEC vis-a-vis social media. The battlefield isn't really Foursquare-compatible, and the military might actually have the last plausible use case for censorship. Every servicemember is probably aware of existing regulations for Internet and social media use; how do you think Carey's goals and statements will affect the state of affairs on the ground, and do you feel such a shift is needed or welcomed? Let us know your opinions in the comments.
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I am impressed the Navy is embracing Web 2.0. Though as I think about it I am sure due to their high level of technology loving people they have no choice but to.
And I can see how it would be wise for a company to create a policy to cover their backside.
Jollie, it would be helpful to have a direct link to the blog post referenced in the lede. Instead, the link goes to the top page of the website.
I think this story alone shows the impact social media is having on modern society. I do admire them for moving forward with this - I believe it'll have a positive effect on their image for many people. This depends, of course, on their full approach with social media, but I think moving into it at all is definitely a good direction.
It's true... The Navy is always the most innovative military service in the United States. They constantly strive to improve leadership and management skills unlike the other branches.
As an officer in the USMC, I was always amazed at how far ahead of us the Navy seemed to be when it came to evolution and progression.
Great post.
DVA
As the public sector begins to embrace social media and now even public institutions like the Navy move in that direction, I am left wondering when public education is going to wake up and integrate social media into its culture.
P.S. The link to Carey policy pdf was not working when I tried it.
Progessive thinking. The Navy can't afford to be three steps behind the rest of the Civilian world. Surprised more people aren't commenting on this blog post in light of the Marine's strong arm stance and ban on Twitter, Facebook, and social networking sites earlier this year.
As with everything, establishing ROE can protect against possible security risks. Practice continuous OPSEC but stay current. Social media should be part of military IT standards.
Here is a direct link to Navy CIO Robert Carey's blog post: http://www.doncio.navy.mil/Blog.aspx?ID=1380
- Matt Claymore
My father was Navey in back in the fifties and the sixties. So much has changed sience he had been. And yes the computer world and tne militry world now need each other. For one is more advance socially then other. You need to help with and some of the computer world is lagging behind in the department.
I think this story alone shows the impact social media is having on modern society. I do admire them for moving forward with this - I believe it'll have a positive effect on their image for many people. This depends, of course, on their full approach with social media, but I think moving into it at all is definitely a good direction.
Rap
Müzik
Karadeniz
Karadeniz Rap
I'm glad someone is looking ahead and embracing technology instead of blindly trying to live in the past.
A friend of mine recently served on temporary orders with the British Royal Navy. He came back and told us that all British sailors were required to have Facebook pages so that there was a ready way to get them information no matter where they were deployed. Smart use of social media or setting their sailors up for social targeting? I'd like to think it's the former.