Pentagon Okays Social Media (Facebook) on Work Internet

[annunaki]

It appears that the Pentagon has given the green light for employees to access sites like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and such on government computers. Read the article below:

Pentagon OKs social media access

That's not to say that the Pentagon is embracing all of the free-wheeling nature of blogs, tweets, and online video. Soldiers, sailors, and airmen will still be expected to refrain from activities that could compromise military actions or undercut readiness.

"Commanders at all levels and heads of DoD components will continue to defend against malicious activity on military information networks, deny access to prohibited content sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, hate-crime related activities), and take immediate and commensurate actions, as required, to safeguard missions (e.g., temporarily limiting access to the Internet to preserve operations security or to address bandwidth constraints)," the Defense Department said in a news release.

The Pentagon says it recognizes that social networks, among other Web capabilities, are useful tools for interaction both within the Defense Department and between the agency and the general public. It is also satisfied with the balance it has struck between network security and use of Internet-based tools...

[balling]

its abotu time
it got annoying not being able to get to my flickr at work. not that it matters anymore

[VetteChic]

But correct me if I'm wrong.... aren't there already enough people out there getting paid to surf the net? I have a feeling productivity will be taking a huge dive. (Can it get lower in some offices??)

[Enchanter]

I can see the lawyers lining up with the lawsuits now.
Censorship... Why would the Government allow Facebook to be viewed, but not MySpace? What about Tagged? What qualifies one "social network" to be acceptable to access at work, when not another. No matter which one it is, when someone is looking at it, they're being bombarded with advertisements, and the hosts of that website are making money, so why should one be allowed to make a buck on the DoD's time, while another cannot?

[mancill4]

It won't matter anyway, it seems like the majority of people have their smartphone sitting in front of them all day long in the office anyway. I can't tell you how many times I have seen people at work multitasking between their work computer, their office phone, email and FB on their smartphone and listening to music all at the same time. I don't know how people focus...

[Chaddeus]

I wasn't expecting this... course, the AF will likely just make their own rule and continue to block social media.

[Steezus]

I wasn't expecting this... course, the AF will likely just make their own rule and continue to block social media.

Exactly, just because the DoD says it is allowed doesn't mean the AF MUST allow these social networking sites. I have never heard of an NCC that could possibly support such a massive jump in bandwidth anyways. I would be HIGHLY surprised if anyone in the AF that is not at a forward operating base is actually allowed to visit any of these sites.

The DoD needs to stop wasting their time and actually put their heads together in regards to all of the non-sense additional duties and retarded-A** training instead of worrying about accessing social networking sites.

[Chaddeus]

Looks like Yokota is a test site for social media access from government computers. From work, you can now access Facebook, Twitter and YouTube (that I've tested).

[IBMike]

Here's the policy leter from here @ AFSPC

Social Media Sites Soon Will Be Open on the AF Network
Published: 2010-03-31 12:53:59.0
by Capt. Christina R. Hoggatt
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
3/30/2010 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- Air Force officials are opening the Air Force network to allow access to Internet-based social-networking sites. Initial access will be available at five Pacific Air Forces bases March 30, and will begin opening sites Air Force-wide later in April.

This change in policy is a result of the Department of Defense Directive-Type Memorandum 09-026 -- Responsible and Effective Use of Internet-based Capabilities -- issued Feb. 25.

The PACAF bases with initial access to Internet-based capability sites include: Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; Eielson AFB, Alaska; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Hickam AFB, Hawaii; and Yokota Air Base, Japan.

According to DOD officials, Internet-based social-networking services have become integral tools for all manner of operations across the military services and in collaboration with other federal agencies and the public.

Air Force Space Command Headquarters is the Air Force-designated approval authority for the AFNET. In this capacity, AFSPC officials are responsible for the policies, procedures and the implementation plan for Internet-based capabilities on the AFNET. The Air Force implementation plan will allow access while still ensuring a tight and secure network to defend against malicious activity to safeguard the missions that depend on cyberspace.

The initial phase at PACAF will involve tracking metrics from both pre- and post-access allowed periods and involve a multi-disciplinary risk assessment prior to opening the sites Air Force-wide. The assessment will help mitigate operational risk, but it also will educate AFNET experts on the guidelines that might be required for Internet-based social-networking site usage.

"As we leverage these new technologies, it is imperative that all Air Force personnel practice safe online activity to protect the network," said Gen. C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command. "The Air Force views the use of social media sites as a positive way to communicate and conduct business. Social media and other emerging technologies provide an increasingly important means of communication and collaboration. Providing more open access will allow the Air Force to communicate more effectively to all Air Force personnel, their families and external audiences."

According to Brig. Gen. David B. Warner, AFSPC communications and information director and chief information officer, AFSPC officials worked hand-in-hand with those in the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, the Air Force Network Integration Center and 24th Air Force to develop the policy and processes to allow access to these sites.

"All Air Force personnel will be allowed to utilize Internet-based social media sites via the AFNET for official use and limited personal use," General Warner said. "All Air Force personnel must use due diligence when posting information online and must always follow Joint Ethics regulations and operational security, or OPSEC.

"The Air Force will limit or restrict the use of Internet-based capabilities as needed to defend against malicious activity or for operational considerations. Assuring the Air Force missions that rely on cyberspace is our number one priority," General Warner said.

According to various regulations, Air Force personnel cannot post any classified or sensitive information and must follow the guidelines for appropriate social media and Internet use. The inappropriate posting of information on the AFNET and any other OPSEC violations will be punishable by Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Personal use must be of reasonable duration and frequency that have been approved by supervisors and do not adversely affect performance of official duties, overburden systems or reflect adversely on the Air Force.

"We recognize the importance of allowing Airmen to have access to more Internet-based capabilities to communicate, and we will work to strike a balance between maintaining a safe and controlled network while allowing Airmen to have appropriate access," General Kehler said. "Adversaries continually try to gain access to our mission critical systems. All AFNET users must do their part to help secure operations conducted in and through cyberspace. The results of the operational assessment may drive the final timing of AF-wide implementation."