When on the road with a Highly Secure laptop, how do you communicate with folks back home? Do you bring a personal laptop with you?

SPC Erich Guenther — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 11:58:59 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2017 12:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 12:09:07 -0400

I bring my personal computer with me. And the govt laptop never leaves the bag, that is no more than 2 ft from me at all times, until I need it for official business.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2017 12:09 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 12:09:34 -0400

I believe that so long as your highly secure laptop is locked up and stowed away properly, then you may use your personal laptop. However these two items cannot be packed away in the same container, and your personal laptop should NEVER enter a secure space. I would also consult whatever instruction you use for Information Security or ask a superior as Navy regulations may differ from Army.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Mar 17 at 2017 12:15 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 12:15:05 -0400

I always figured if it was a secure Government computer I only did authorized Government business on it. I did My own things only on My own computer and never mixed the two. Although I have a cell phone I own I can receive Email on, Text etc. I use that to communicate with people at home. When I'm away I tend not to spend any time on any computer I don't have to. I usually had other things to do beside roost on a computer. If I called home my calls were usually short and had a purpose. I never liked blabbing on the phone or sending text messages. I always thought phones were kind of annoying and didn't call people at home if I didn't have to . At work I have to answer the phone, thats fine but at home I prefer the peace and quiet and no ringing phones. That kind of drifted from laptops but I tend to be very careful and except for limited Emails don't often use it to communicate with people at home anyway. When i see people that have got in real trouble with misuse of Government computers I decided long ago to never take any risk.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Mar 17 at 2017 12:32 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 12:32:26 -0400

Why not just take your smart phone for commo back to the home? The spelling can have problems and does not have to be perfect from a cell phone.

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Mar 17 at 2017 1:31 PM

SFC Andrew Miller — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 13:31:39 -0400

I don't know what Highly Secure means, but follow the rules according to its classification level. I used to carry a personal laptop everywhere, but shortly before retirement was relying on a tablet and smartphone for just about everything personal.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Mar 17 at 2017 1:38 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 13:38:31 -0400

Well yeah... or a smart phone... why would you be using government property for personal business.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 17 at 2017 1:51 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 13:51:58 -0400

Yes, the classified equipment is just that, a tool, piece of government equipment, my NIPR laptop came along for the ride, and often my personal one as well..depending on what i want to do while away from my base of operations. Basic personal email and Internet browsing on the GOV lap top on the NIPR side is possible ..But if i wanted to use a non CIV connection them it had to me my personal laptop.
So it was common for me to board a Helo with a Pelican case that had three laptops and associated other gear.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2017 1:52 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 13:52:14 -0400

SPC Erich Guenther You would communicate with folks back home on a cell phone or personal laptop. Using a government computer for personal business is not a good idea.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Mar 17 at 2017 3:32 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 15:32:46 -0400

Govt/classified computer is for Govt/classified business. In my case they (usually 3) stayed bagged up until we arrived at final destination. I couriered them a lot in Iraq, a pain in the butt. :)
Personal computer was for my personal business, never the twain shall meet.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 17 at 2017 3:47 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 15:47:44 -0400

I always hated carrying a classified capable laptop. I had to do it rarely when I was a contractor and never as an Army Civilian. IMO, it was more of a pain than carrying actual classified documents, especially on international flights. With the double wrapped documents, most TSA and customs types would look at the carry letter nod their head, and pass you along. I always felt like the classified computer was too much of a temptation for foreign customs agents to have a chance to mess with you. I always imagined the overly polite ROK customs guy saying, "Please, turn on, we know it real computer?" Luckily it never happened.

I also carried an unclassified official laptop on these trips. I never had a problem using a web browser to sign into my personal e-mail account. Most of those personal e-mails were checking in with the wife or equally mundane stuff. This kept my personal e-mail separate from my Government account that I accesses using a VPN and CAC.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2017 4:08 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 16:08:16 -0400

Well apparently if you're Secret Service, you just leave the highly secure laptop in plain view in your car while parked at home. Glad I'm retiring because I know this will somehow result in more mandatory training for the Army. On a serious note, if by "Highly Secure" you mean classified, I really hope you are not flying with a hard drive, I have seen who teams disbanded for that. I never heard anything about not being able to use your own laptop while on a trip, only those locations where you couldn't bring your own laptop in.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2017 4:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 16:08:56 -0400

SPC Erich Guenther If by highly secure you mean a computer with classified, you would not be able to communicate with anyone unless you and the other end are in the appropriate network, so what's the question again?

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Mar 17 at 2017 5:37 PM

PO2 Robert Aitchison — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 17:37:54 -0400

I'd bring a tablet (iPad or Android Tablet) and a Bluetooth keyboard or maybe a Chromebook.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2017 5:59 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 17:59:51 -0400

use your cell phone , personal computer, hard line telephone, but never the secure la[p top that's just asking for time in jail

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Mar 18 at 2017 8:50 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 20:50:23 -0400

There is no need to take classified briefings anywhere. Send via SIPR or JWICS to the place of your briefing or meeting. I just can not see every approving travel of something that can be sent in classified email. Gone are the days of classified paper traveling. Let's use technology smartly.