Reblogging my greatest hits so you don’t have to.

Will You Ever Write Again?

DOPSR Requirements for GOV Employees

“DOPSR” stands for the “Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review.” It is a part of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). The primary function of DOPSR is to ensure that information being published by DoD personnel does not compromise national security. This includes reviewing materials for classified information and sensitive content before they are publicly released. This would usually involve a prepublication review, security review, and compliance. Many do not understand what they can and cannot publish, and this article clarifies a key point about the content and longevity of said rulings.

Upon asking I was told no, no, no and that everything I would ever research or write in my lifetime would from then on be owned by the United States Airforce. This is not true.

Upon accepting my role with the United States Air Force, I quickly realized I was on a leash, especially around my favorite area, security research. This was a big problem for me because the review process takes months and months (if you noticed I also took down my blog during the interim of my employment. One even has to have their resume reviewed before publishing (unless it contains the publicly available job description). I asked many people if they could run me through the rules around this and absolutely no one knew what was up, so I contacted DOPSR myself. I was even told that the US Government would own everything I ever did from here on out and forever.

Since no one seemed to know what their roles or responsibilities were despite our training, I’ll post it here.

Don’t Publish without Permission, this includes your Resume!

Government employees, especially those working in sensitive areas related to national security, are often required to submit their writings through the Defense Office of Pre-publication and Security Review (DOPSR) or a similar review process. Here are the key reasons for this:

Leaks are a Concern

I wont go and list all the folks intentionally selling or releasing sensitive government info. This is for those prone to subversion attacks or perhaps may not know they are disclosing sensitive information (but how could they not)?

The primary concern is safeguarding national security. Sensitive information, if inadvertently disclosed, could potentially be harmful to national interests or security. DOPSR ensures that such information is not inadvertently released in public writings by reviewing for the lack of classified information, either explicit or inadvertently implied.

DOPSR ensures that the content of the writing is consistent with current U.S. government policies and laws. This is particularly important in writings that deal with foreign policy or military affairs. The review process protects sensitive methods of intelligence gathering and sources, which are crucial for ongoing and future operations.

This type of information, while not classified, is still sensitive and requires handling in accordance with predetermined guidelines. DOPSR checks for any CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information) that should not be disclosed publicly.

Subversive Techniques

An unchecked resume may contain sensitive information that could be retrieved via subversion. Interviews may pressure you for information, and the only thing you can list on your resume is a PUBLIC JOB DESCRIPTION. Please clarify this with your leadership should you change roles and update your resume. That is why one must be very careful when transitioning to the public sector. Your hiring managers may be starry-eyed, but you will likely have then broken the law and would be subject to penalties.

Writings by government employees can also influence public perception and international relations. DOPSR helps ensure that these writings do not inadvertently cause misunderstandings or tensions in international relations.

Government employees have a responsibility to handle information with care. The review process reinforces this responsibility and ensures accountability. Failure to properly review and clear documents can lead to legal consequences for both the individual and the government, including potential breaches of the Espionage Act or other legal statutes. For those holding security clearances, following proper review procedures is essential for maintaining their clearance status.

It’s important for government employees to adhere to these procedures not only to protect national security and sensitive information but also to maintain the integrity and trust associated with their positions. This would also include any related information in the future, for life.

As for me, I have it in writing that as long as it does not contain sensitive information relating to my work, I am good. I plan on publishing security research and blogging about security to my heart’s content. You may need to get that in writing too, depending on your role within the organization.

I’m a security researcher, and in my opinion, the sheer amount of detail that was not disclosed to me before I started with DOD, or ended up being untrue, is staggering. Some may state this happens due to error or incompetence, but per our oaths, one is not supposed to leave fellow ‘Airmen’ behind.

For any questions, please contact DOPSR directly.

What are you thoughts? Got any to add? Feel free to debate.

Citations

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The opinions and thoughts expressed on this platform reflect only the author’s views alone. Images/passages within this publication may contain certain elements of artificial intelligence but unless specified, have been edited for this article. This image originates from OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT.