BUB: Social Media and Military

This BUB concerns social media networking and the military

The UK MoD seems to have a problem with security breaches through social media.

In the last 18 months, the Ministry of Defence have suffered 16 security breaches through confidential information or records being leaked online via social media channels.
Citing the Freedom of Information Act, Lewis PR were able to obtain the information from the MoD, although they were reluctant to give any details on disciplinary measures for employees responsible for causing the leaks.
Most of us are starting to realise just how careful we have to be in managing our Facebook and Twitter profiles — and whilst 16 security breaches seems a little scary at first, it’s actually quite reassuring to think that the MoD are watching for these leaks and (presumably) nipping them in the bud.

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The US DoD has assigned a former Google exec to the Pentagon to work on social media.

Sumit Agarwal has been appointed to the Senior Executive Service and is assigned as deputy assistant secretary of defense for outreach and social media, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), Washington, D.C.
Agarwal previously served as head of mobile product management (North America), Google, Mountain View, Calif.

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This comes as the US admits that they're still finding their way through the web of social networking.

[Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley] spoke to nearly 50 government professionals, who met here for a Social Media for Defense and Government event.
Participants said social media's presence in the military can include a variety of online tools for personal, career and development goals.
Obviously, these new tools that we use today are changing the way we do business, not only in the commercial world, but in the military, said McKinley, who uses Twitter in his daily communications. "They are incredibly powerful."
The general told the audience that senior defense leaders are keeping the debate open on social media in the military to weigh its assets and vulnerabilities.
"In the Department of Defense today, there is a very healthy debate, a pro and con debate, on how we will use social media," said McKinley.
Officials said an overarching DoD policy on social media is still being developed.

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A part of that policy development includes the Army's own dedicated social networking site.

The U.S. Army has launched a new social media website to facilitate safer correspondence between Army personnel. As reported by LiveScience.com, milBook, which is part of the milSuite network that is protected by a firewall to prevent outside prying, provides personnel with a centralized unit for social networking.
Todd Miller, an Army contractor, is quoted in the report as stating of the site, “People across the DoD can find professional working groups on various programs and efforts and join within seconds… MilBook not only connects people, it connects those people to military topics so that ideas and information are shared across the Armed Services.”

By: Brant