prayerstrategists.net · Security Issues in Communicating with Field Personnel
General resources
Security Issues in Communicating with Field Personnel
This page is the full text, so you can read it on any device. The original file is here if you would rather print it or pass it on.
Security Issues in Communica1ng with Field Personnel in Sensi1ve Environments By Liz Adleta, Ethnê Ephesus Global Support Team, January 2015
“Communica*ons is the glue of rela*onships,” according to a well–‐known psychologist, and the world has exploded with means to carry on communica*ons through electronic means of all sorts: e–‐mail, Skype, Twi@er, Facebook, and so many more now make communica*ng easier and faster than ever before. But with this speed and accessibility come challenges, par*cularly as we would communicate with field missionaries working in security sensi*ve environments around the world.
As you engage directly with strategic field workers living in poten*ally hos*le environments, it is of the utmost importance that you apply certain guidelines as you interact with them for their protec*on and the protec*on of their work among the least–‐reached people groups. Your commitment to listen to and learn from security concerns they have raised is extremely important to your ongoing rela*onship and your ability to partner with and serve them through prayer.
We know that many governments and religious groups are pro–‐ac*vely seeking informa*on about church and mission ac*vi*es. Some security problems come from things like: publishing sta*s*cs on believers, bap*sms, churches, cell groups and insensi*ve ‘research teams’ going into the countries of focus. This informa*on gathering takes place both in their own country as well as in other countries including the United States. We want to protect both the na*onal believers and their expatriate partners, paying special a@en*on to those living within the country. We may differ in our opinions on security issues but we must have a common standard which is agreed upon in order to relate to one another with trust and confidence.
Using a “secure” email service helps but does not eliminate security concerns in communica*ng. Services such as Hotmail and Yahoo have not proven to be secure means of communica*ng in sensi*ve environments. Gmail is a be@er op*on, but there are free email services such as Hushmail that are more secure. Please obtain and use a secure email service in order to communicate with your field partner.
Even when using a “secure” email service, emails can be accessed occasionally by those seeking informa*on. It is best to never use specific names of people or places when referring to our work or the workers. Use ini*als or nicknames and best not to link specific people to specific loca*ons for security sake. Disguise names of religious groups or Chris*an ac*vi*es such as Isl*m (in place of Islam), Ir*q (in place of Iraq), pr–‐er (in place of prayer), etc.—this avoids emails being caught by systems scanning emails for certain key words. When in doubt, avoid specifics.
When replying to an email, delete the header informa*on so as not to expose addi*onal email names and addresses or avoid including the email to which you are replying. Especially avoid long strings of email correspondence which may include people’s names, emails and informa*on you do not want being shared.
Clarify in advance the security guidelines preferred by your field team. In this way, they can set the guidelines for you and you can operate within a level in which they feel comfortable.
Field–‐related informa*on, presenta*ons, photos, and informa*on regarding church and mission ac*vi*es should be considered confiden*al and should not be openly shared or reported on in wri@en documents, emails, or public mee*ngs and should not be posted on other websites or even bulle*n boards in your church or prayer room. Before reusing any correspondence, be sure to obtain the express wri@en permission of the author first. Names of workers, believers, agencies, or churches should not be given to others outside your prayer community without the prior approval of the person or agency. Be sure to convey the security guidelines to any people who will have access to the informa*on to be sure they understand the urgency and importance of keeping the confiden*ality.
With the increase of worldwide social networking (e.g. Facebook, Twi@er, etc.), please do not men*on your partnership in any of your social networking communica*ons, websites, emails, etc. However, advocacy of the people groups which you have adopted and mobilizing resources, workers, and promo*ng coopera*on is encouraged using approved publicity materials which are available. Check with your field team to access this type of informa*on which can be publicly posted and shared readily. This usually will not men*on anything about workers or believers in this people group but will be
generic, publicly available informa*on about the people group, their lives and ways to pray specifically for God’s work among them without iden*fying par*cular efforts underway.
If you have ques*ons, do not hesitate to consult the leaders of the your organiza*on. Thank you for honoring these security guidelines and helping others to understand and adhere to them as well!
I agree to the above security guidelines:
Name: ______________________________________________________
Organiza1on: _______________________________________________
Signature: __________________________________________________