PED POLICY UPDATE: Shipyard to allow camera-enabled devices beginning May 20

PED POLICY UPDATE: Shipyard to allow camera-enabled devices beginning May 20

By Max Maxfield, PSNS & IMF Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. -

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility will update its personal electronic device policy May 20, which will allow employees to bring camera-enabled devices into the controlled industrial area.

At the same time, PSNS & IMF will be adding Security Islands to information controlled spaces - similar to existing Controlled Nuclear Information Areas and Nuclear Work Areas - throughout the command to enhance the protection of sensitive information.

While updates to both policies may seem like very big changes, how information security and operational security are protected have not changed. NOTE: The new PED policy does NOT include tablets or personal laptops. Those remain unauthorized in the CIA.

"Remember, this policy update does not change the policy regarding unauthorized photography and video or audio recording inside the controlled industrial area," said Kristen Marion, PSNS & IMF deputy security director. "Workers still cannot take photographs or record video or audio using their personal electronic device. This means they cannot FaceTime, Google chat, or use any type of video teleconferencing program or app while they are inside the CIA."

If an employee observes someone potentially taking unauthorized photos, they should:

• Stop the act.
• Verify the device is a PSNS-issued camera/device.
• Verify the person has a valid Camera Operator Permit.
• If the person does not have a valid Camera Operator Permit, inform Security and remain with the person until security arrives.

PSNS & IMF workers who need official photography will follow the same procedures that have been in place for years.

"Just like before, workers must have a security-issued camera pass and a government issued camera or image-capturing device in order to take photos or video in the CIA," Marion said. "Authorized shipyard photography and video are still required to undergo an approval process to be used in-yard or for public release.

Likewise, activities and procedures inside Security Islands will be treated similar to how Controlled Nuclear Information Areas have always been regulated at PSNS & IMF.

According to Rich Emerson, Information Security Operations manager, Code 1121, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Control Officer, a Security Island is a space designated to protect Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information in lesser quantities than that found in Controlled Nuclear Information Areas.

PSNS & IMF and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard are updating their security policies and are adding Security Islands at around the same time. Norfolk Naval Shipyard updated its PED policy May 6, and has used Security Islands for more than a decade as part of its information protection efforts.

Training regarding the updated PED policy and the addition of security islands will be available on the Code 1120 SharePoint site at homeportnw.psns.navy.mil/dept/1100/1120/ default.aspx.

Security Islands will be used to protect U-NNPI in workspaces that contain only paper documents and screens displaying up to U-NNPI are present; including computer monitors or larger wall-mounted screens.

Office space CNIAs will be transitioned to Security Islands. A space will remain a CNIA if it contains U-NNPI components, such as mock-ups or devices that cannot readily be covered or otherwise protected.

While some PSNS & IMF workspaces at Bangor will be designated as Security Islands, workspaces in the Waterfront Restricted Area are still governed by Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific information security policies.

Just as PSNS & IMF employees have done in Open Storage Classified spaces, Nuclear Work Areas, and CNIAs, workers shall remain vigilant to prevent unauthorized personnel from accessing the Security Island.

If an employee notices someone they suspect should not be in the Security Island, they should stop the person and verify the person has an appropriate color shipyard badge. If a person doesn't have a badge displayed, ensure they display their badge after being challenged. If the person has a white or green badge, consider the following:

• A white badged person cannot be in the Security Island unescorted. If without an escort then escort them out of the SI and inform PSNS Security. Remain with the person until security arrives or escort them to the Information Security Office in Bldg. B445. (Code 1121 will initiate a security inquiry if warranted.)
• Green-badged personnel cannot remain unescorted without a red- or yellow-badged employee, or be the last person out of a Security Island.

If deck-plate workers or supervisors have specific questions about Security Islands versus CNIAs, they should reach out to their applicable department Security Coordinator for clarification.