Prepared- Special OPSEC Edition… Do the stickers on your cars put you at risk?

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Since this is the first OPSEC lesson in the Prepared newsletter series, I want to do just a basic lesson on OPSEC and what it is before we get into the specific lesson.

OPSEC is nothing more than an acronym for Operational Security. It’s a primary principle we lived by in the military that has made it’s way into civilian use over the years.

An official definition of Operational Security would be protecting information that an enemy could use to hurt you.

The Prepared Dad definition is protecting yourself and your family in all situations, not just information, that could harm you.

To me, Operational Security doesn’t just mean terrorists and bad guys. I don’t want you to think about it just that way either.

The Prepared Dad is prepared at a basic level at least for everything, and OPSEC should work across the board as something to live by. Let’s call it having an OPSEC Mindset.

Let me give you a few examples so you get the idea and can apply it to other situations in your life.

• Bad Guys: Posting on social media about your vacation WHILE you’re on vacation alerts people you’re not home.
• Your Kids: A simple walk around your vehicle before taking off out of the driveway lets you make sure no kids are playing games or hiding near the car.
• DIY Projects: Wearing protective eyewear keeps you safe while working with saws, hammers, weedeaters, etc.

And my last example is today’s lesson about the stickers you place on your vehicles.

I could go on and on with what they reveal, but I’ll just use an image from a police department in WA to make my point.

For too many of you, your vehicle is an open book for information gathering about your family and home.