Threats to Military Institutions Arising from Operating in the Social Media Environment

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present the scale of the effect that using the Internet can have on national security, and to raise awareness about the use of social media. The lack of security on the Internet or any regulations of law applicable to it must make us aware of the types of threats that originate from using the mobile apps, social media, and instant messengers that play a major role in our lives. Information security, construed as protection of information against inadvertent or wilful disclosure, modification, or enabling its processing or destruction, can be viewed from a technological and cognitive standpoint. The phenomenon of social media is driven by the human need for belonging, respect, and recognition. We seek acceptance from others, and not necessarily from our closest circles. This, in turn triggers a stimulus to share everything we do in the public space. The latest electronic devices make it possible to precisely locate their users. Online posts that we publish without understanding what could be garnered from them can be useful to a potential adversary. With the problem characterised like this, it can be anticipated that exploitation of social media can be a source of threats to national security. The hazards are becoming increasingly pertinent to the security of the military institutions that use the attributes of social media. This paper is an overview aimed at structuring and presenting the collected knowledge and raising awareness of social media in the context of the national security of military institutions. This paper uses theoretical research methods that include generalisation, analysis, synthesis, and inference.