OPSEC_Guide.pdf

This document is an Operations Security (OPSEC) Guide for Defense Contractors developed by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport (NUWCDIVKPT). It provides mandatory guidance for government contractors, corporations, and independent contractors performing work for NUWCDIVKPT, other military facilities, and aboard U.S. Navy vessels and aircraft to ensure compliance with and protection of Nation Security Information.

OPSEC is defined as an analytical process to identify Critical Information (CI)—specific facts about friendly intentions, capabilities, and activities vital to adversaries—and implement countermeasures to protect that CI from exploitation. The document establishes three tiers of applicability: Section I applies to contractors requiring intermittent or short-term physical access to government facilities; Section II applies to contractors with continuous access or embedded personnel; and Section III applies to contracts involving production of items with established OPSEC plans or when government-provided material involves classified or sensitive unclassified material. Key contractor requirements include strict control of personal electronic devices in government spaces, prohibition of discussing government operations over unprotected communications, restrictions on posting sensitive information to company websites or social media, concealment of government-issued badges when off-site, protection of internal production schedules and identified vulnerabilities, and destruction or return of government information upon contract termination. For permanent onsite contractors, an OPSEC Point of Contact must be assigned, personnel must complete OPSEC awareness training within 30 days of assignment and annually thereafter, and Critical Information Lists must be marked and handled as "FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY." The contractor must maintain individual training records and comply with all applicable NISPOM requirements. Any costs associated with OPSEC compliance must be included in contract proposals. The guide is applicable to all NUWCDIVKPT contracts and deviation without approval from the NUWCDIVKPT OPSEC Program Manager at (360) 396-5345 is not authorized.