Who can be targeted by foreign entities according to the vulnerable employee consideration?

The focus on who can be targeted by foreign entities under the vulnerable employee consideration highlights the specific nature of Department of Defense (DOD) employees. These individuals are often privy to sensitive information, have access to critical infrastructures, and may be in positions that allow for the collection of valuable intelligence. Due to their roles, DOD employees may become targets for foreign intelligence operations seeking information that could compromise national security or give adversaries strategic advantages.

While civilian employees globally, DOD contractors, and all government employees may be susceptible to foreign targeting, the specific emphasis here is on DOD employees because their positions inherently involve greater risk given the type of information and resources they manage. This specificity underscores the importance of counterintelligence measures tailored to protect those in key defense roles, who are more likely to be approached or exploited by foreign operatives. Such differentiation is essential in understanding the broader spectrum of counterintelligence awareness and the unique challenges faced by personnel in the DOD.