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

The focus on the targeting of DOD employees stems from their access to sensitive information, technologies, and operations that are critical to national security. Foreign intelligence entities often seek to exploit vulnerabilities within government institutions, and DOD employees, due to their positions, are particularly susceptible to manipulation or coercion.

In the context of counterintelligence, vulnerability considerations highlight that DOD employees may be prime targets for recruitment by foreign operatives who might attempt to gain insider access to classified information. This is especially pertinent given the nature of the responsibilities that DOD employees hold, which routinely involve matters of defense and strategic importance.

While contractors and civilians can also be targets, the emphasis on DOD employees is a recognition of their specific roles and the integral nature of their work to U.S. security. This doesn’t discount the potential vulnerabilities of other personnel, but it highlights the particular focus on DOD employees due to the critical nature of their functions within the government.