Military secrets ‘on Facebook’

DEFENCE chiefs are being hit by a record number of security breaches with many triggered by staff posting military secrets on social media websites.

The number of security issues logged by the Ministry of Defence is running at almost 20 every day and the number has more than doubled in the last five years.

Security blunders include the position of troops and ships as well as details on weaponry and military manoeuvres. Military personnel are ordered to follow strict protocols about their use of social media so as not to gift the enemy secret information.

But embarrassingly for the MOD some of the most glaring security issues have been down to their employees putting confidential material, including secret passcodes, on social media.

In the last five years among the huge tally of security incidents there were 147 recorded as being down to MOD personnel posting secrets on social media platforms.

Graham Cluley, internet security expert, said: “The fact that sensitive military information continues to be carelessly published tells us that more needs to be done to educate personnel.

“Who needs to send in undercover spies to steal details of secret troop movements or information about MOD staff if it’s being posted on Facebook and Instagram for free?”

ARMY combat units supporting the Royal Marines are set to be culled as the Green Berets ditch storming tactics for smaller teams to handle 21st-century threats.

Cuts expected in the Integrated Defence and Security Review will slash manpower and equipment across units attached to 3 Commando Brigade as the Marines evolve into a Maritime Special Operations Force.

The Green Berets are currently backed by Army teams including commando regiments from Royal Engineers and the Royal Artillery, which provides 18 ageing 105mm light guns.

New plans will see the commando gunners reduced to just three batteries, with the loss of 300 jobs.

The engineer regiment’s force of 820 sappers, medics, administrators, mechanics and clerks will be cut to just one squadron of around 120 troops.

A senior military source said yesterday: “The Royal Marine brigade is looking at delivering its business in a totally new concept of operations and we cannot see a need for a full engineer or artillery regiment.

“They need bespoke support and a reduced capability will meet this need.”