U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) directives state that an Operations Security (OPSEC) program must be implemented covering each DOE site and facility to ensure the protection of Critical Program Information (CPI) and to enhance mission effectiveness and protection of operations and activities. Each OPSEC program must identify and document its CPI. The protection of CPI is integral to the lab’s operational excellence.
So what is CPI? Although a number of definitions exist for CPI, in essence it is information that is inherently valuable to us and for which the consequences of loss are unacceptable. CPI is information about intentions, capabilities, or activities that must be protected from loss to keep an adversary from gaining a significant military, economic, political, or technological advantage. This type of information can be classified or unclassified. A few examples of CPI include unclassified controlled nuclear information, and personally identifiable information. Many other designations are used at other federal agencies.
Protecting Argonne’s information is everyone’s responsibility and is of foremost importance. It is absolutely essential that we are vigilant in identifying, controlling, and protecting this information. The OPSEC program uses the CASPIR application to keep an accurate inventory of CPI at the laboratory.
For additional information regarding the handling of CPI, email opsec@anl.gov.