ROUTINE R 152015Z SEP 22 MID200080210194U FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 061/22 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/SEP// SUBJ/SEPTEMBER 2022 INSIDER THREAT AWARENESS MONTH// RMKS/1. September 2022 is our fourth-annual Insider Threat Awareness Month. This is a time for us to focus on a unique threat to our force and on ways that we can detect, deter, and mitigate insider threats that can cause damage to national security and the health of our force. This year, our Navy -Marine Corps team will focus on how critical thinking in digital spaces can be instrumental in limiting the impact of disinformation and preventing witting and unwitting insider threats. 2. An insider threat is a trusted individual who, wittingly or unwittingly, causes harm to government resources: people, facilities, networks, or information. Unfortunately, insider threats are real and have caused loss of life, damaged national security, and compromised classified information. Most insider threats emerge over time, with evidence of concerning behavior or risk indicators surfacing prior to harmful events. It is this window of opportunity before harmful events occur that ties insider threat detection and mitigation directly to cultural awareness. 3. Critical thinking in digital spaces is essential to preventing our Sailors, Marines, civilians, and contractors from becoming witting or unwitting insider threats. Virtual platforms provide means for malicious actors to manipulate our perceptions, deceive us, subject us to online social engineering, and attempt to access proprietary and sensitive information. These threats have grown due to an increase in social isolation resulting from the COVID pandemic and increased working from home. All of us need to develop our digital media literacy and be mindful of the threats presented by our own cognitive biases and possible manipulation of perceptions. Critical thinking helps us become less susceptible to various types of risks, including social engineering, solicitation by adversaries, and information designed to malign others, including our government and institutions. 4. The demands of service can be stressful for our Sailors, Marines, civilians, contractors, and their families and this is sometimes exacerbated by a variety of internal and external factors. These cumulative effects can sometimes place some of our peers on a pathway from trusted workforce member towards insider threat. Often, the initial display is poor decision-making, which can lead to concerning behavior, and potentially to a destructive act. Each of us must be alert for potential indicators of a teammate who is struggling and do our best to stop it before it has a chance to develop. We can often interrupt the pathway to an insider threat by engaging with our colleagues, being inclusive, and listening to their concerns. We should also not hesitate to report concerning behaviors and risk indicators. This allows insider threat programs to take proactive measures that can lead to positive outcomes for individuals and organizations. 5. Early reporting improves early intervention. I urge you to recognize the signs that may indicate someone is in need of help. You can help by "supporting through reporting." You can do something to help a coworker get the assistance they may need to get their life back on track. If you see something, say something, so that positive intervention can take place, if needed, before a malicious act happens. Personnel who have the moral courage to engage with a troubled colleague will help that individual and promote unit safety. In addition to reporting concerning behavior to your chain of command, you also have the option to make a direct report to the Navy Insider Threat Hub or the Marine Corps Insider Threat Hub. Reports may be made anonymously. Email tips: insiderthreat.fct@navy.mil (Navy Insider Threat Hub); insiderthreat@usmc.mil (Marine Corps Insider Threat Hub). Web tips: https://www.secnav.navy.mil/itp/Pages/default.aspx (both hubs). 6. The Navy and Marine Corps Insider Threat Hubs are tools for commanders. Cross-disciplinary professionals are ready to assist by evaluating reports of concerning behavior against a larger background and can provide research, analysis, identification, and recommendations for intervention to mitigate insider threats while preserving privacy and protection of civil liberties. Use of this talent and resource can help mitigate the risk of serious security incidents and loss of life. 7. I urge each of you to take Insider Threat Awareness Month as an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of critical thinking and remaining aware of risks in all spaces, including digital ones. Supplemental materials and training tools on insider threat awareness may be downloaded from the Center for Development of Security Excellence at: https://www.cdse.edu/Training/Toolkits/Insider-Threat-Toolkit/. 8. The risk of espionage, violence, unauthorized disclosure, and even unwitting insider threat actions are higher than ever as our strategic competitors and adversaries seek to take advantage of our vulnerabilities through increased targeting of insiders. Like any threat, we have the tools to defeat it. By promoting a climate of trust, respect, and inclusion, by engaging when we notice poor decision-making, and by reporting concerning behavior, we protect our force, our families, and our national security. I am honored to serve at your side in the finest Navy and Marine Corps the world has ever known. 9. Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//