DOD's revised social media policy to focus on clarity, security

Defense Department officials are focusing on regulating, not restricting, social media use in a revised social media policy expected to be published later this year, reports FCW, a sister publication of Defense Systems.

DOD's current social media policy is governed by a directive-type memorandum (DTM) from 2010, which is a two-page document that broadly outlines the rules and responsibilities those under Pentagon jurisdiction must follow in their use of social media.

That policy will change in the coming months as the department prepares to issue more permanent and detailed DOD instructions that will expand the existing guidance, the story said.

The DTM was meant to be a quick set of guidelines governing activities in the social media space. It was set to expire July 15 but will remain in effect until the new policy comes out.

Where the DTM laid the groundwork by establishing definitions, responsibilities and the importance of information sharing, the new guidelines incorporate a more thorough and detailed look at social media, at least as it exists today, Rob Carey, DOD’s deputy CIO, told the publication in a preview of the new policy.

Two areas will receive particular emphasis: making sure the rules are clear and making sure security is adequately covered. Both areas will be clarified when DOD unveils the policy in the coming months, but according to Carey, the exact release date is still to be determined.

“It’s currently at the legal sufficiency review; the lawyers look at the final version one more time and determine what to address,” Carey said. “Right now there’s no date set. I can only say to stand by.”