The British Ministry of Defense (MoD) staff and military personnel have leaked sensitive information on social networking websites in the past eighteen months. Ten employees have been disciplined for misuse of the sites. The figures were uncovered using the Freedom of Information Act, by computer security firm F-Secure and LEWIS PR.
 
The MoD would not comment on what disciplinary action was taken, or whether the leaks involved operational information. The ministry's guidelines state that staff must obtain clearance to release any information that is related to sensitive, controversial or political matters, or military operations.
 
F-Secure Chief Research Officer Mikko Hypponen said, "It's amazing how many people drop their guard when they use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter."
 
"They might think they are confiding in friends or family when they go on Facebook. However, the recent changes in Facebook's privacy settings might make them disclose information to the world. This is a potential security risk."
 
According to Lewis PR, computers on the main MoD networks are blocked from visiting social networking sites. However there are a small number within the department which have unrestricted Internet access. Some personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq also have access through internet cafés on military bases.
 
The ministry's "online engagement guidelines", released in August last year, recognize the importance of social media such as Facebook for personnel keeping in touch with friends and family. According to the document: "Service and MOD civilian personnel are encouraged to talk about what they do, but within certain limits to protect security, reputation and privacy."