
In the realm of intelligence, discretion and confidentiality are paramount. For intelligence officers (former and current), the decision to keep a low profile on professional social media and networking platforms like LinkedIn is a strategic one. This article explores the considerations and potential risks associated with the choice to maintain a discreet online presence as a former intelligence officer.
While the topic strays away from the norm of our offering at PAARC, we believe it brings valuable insights to our network, and specifically to candidates, recruiters and hiring managers. The simple back story is that I was previously denied a prominent employment opportunity, because of the simple reason that my LinkedIn profile did not match my resume during the employer's background investigation process. With that said, let me level set; all references checked and past employment was verified. The only issue was that my profile on professional social media site LinkedIn wasn’t “accurate” and misaligned with my resume and references. And believe it or not, despite the scare and trauma that our generation suffered from having college applications being denied or revoked as a result of Deans and school personnel stalking the facebook accounts of teenagers, there are actually also a lot of professional reasons not to keep your information up to date on public social media platforms.
Operational Security Concerns
Former intelligence officers may be bound by lifelong commitments and obligations to safeguard classified information and operational details of assignments that they work on. For intelligence officers, maintaining an accurate LinkedIn profile could inadvertently reveal connections, past assignments, or skills that compromise operational security. The priority is often to protect sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. Just because your company recruiters have never seen this before, this doesn’t make it out of the norm; in fact, it just shows their lack of experience and professional maturity to understand that a social media profile does not define the professional. Security professionals are inherently risk averse when it comes to information sharing and privacy and work in a field that requires a risk based approach on how you share information. Add that in with the confidentiality obligations that carry on for former intelligence officers and having inaccurate or discrete social media profiles is a no brainer.
Protecting Personal Safety
Intelligence work can involve high-stakes situations and potential threats. A former intelligence officer may choose to limit their online presence to protect their personal safety and that of their family. Publicly available information on LinkedIn could be exploited by adversaries or individuals with malicious intent. People need to realize that intelligence officers are people too; they have families, friends, and lives that they need to consider when they make these decisions. Think outside the box and be prepared to be okay with something that is "out of the norm" to when dealing with former intelligence professionals.
Avoiding Unwanted Attention
Maintaining a discreet LinkedIn profile can be a strategic move to avoid unnecessary attention, inquiries, or speculative interest from the public, media, or even potential employers. Former intelligence officers may prefer to operate below the radar, focusing on transitioning to civilian life without drawing undue scrutiny. There is a very famous phrase “less is more.” Just because someone volunteers their full and accurate story on a social media platform, it doesn’t mean you are entitled to it.
Respecting Non-Disclosure Agreements
Intelligence professionals often sign strict non-disclosure agreements that extend beyond their active service. These agreements may restrict the disclosure of certain information, making it challenging to update a LinkedIn profile with a comprehensive and accurate professional history. This is probably one of the most important topics to focus on. What recruiters and hiring managers need to realize is that when you ask a former intelligence professional about their past and keep pressing them on it, they are actually engaging in emotional manipulation to satisfy your own personal desire to know more.
Balancing Professional Transition
Former intelligence officers transitioning to civilian roles may grapple with finding the right balance between showcasing transferable skills and adhering to security and confidentiality concerns. This delicate balancing act may lead to a decision to keep LinkedIn updates to a minimum, which is their nature. You can’t take someone who has been putting their life on the line by protecting secrets for a living and ask them to be publicly open about their prior employments, which can very well be assignments they are working on.
Conclusion
While the decision not to keep a LinkedIn profile updated as a former intelligence officer is driven by valid concerns, it does come with its own set of considerations. Balancing the need for anonymity with the potential benefits of professional networking requires careful thought. Former intelligence officers need to explore alternative ways to maintain professional connections, contribute to the community, and pursue new opportunities while upholding the principles of operational security and confidentiality that are ingrained in their professional background. Ultimately, the path chosen by former intelligence officers should align with individual priorities, safety considerations, and ethical responsibilities. Recruiters and hiring managers should consider understanding and asking questions before jumping to conclusions about an individual living in a world the majority of the population doesn’t know or understand. You will be doing a big disservice to your company by disqualifying a former intelligence officer because of their social media profile(s).
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