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Maxwell puts focus on network security

  • Published
  • By Capt. Brad Kimberly
  • Air University Public Affairs
Units across Air Education and Training Command, including the Maxwell-Gunter community, paused Feb. 26 to discuss network security during Network Focus Day.

Directed by Gen. Stephen Lorenz, AETC commander, each base in the command presented briefings on improving network security at each base and the Air Force as a whole.

At Headquarters Air University, the briefing began with a video by General Lorenz expressing his commitment to network security in AETC.

During the video, General Lorenz described a conversation he had with Chief Master Sgt. Robert Tappana, AETC command chief.

"What would you do if your front gate was under attack," the general recalled the chief asking him. "You would do something about it ... and that computer is your new front gate."

General Lorenz also emphasized the importance of publishing e-mail certificates to the Global Address List in Microsoft Outlook. According to the general, only one base in AETC had more than 50 percent of their e-mail certificates loaded at the time the video was made.

In addition to stressing the need to publish e-mail certificates, Anthony Dillard, the 42nd Communications Flight director, says that each user should focus on network security every day.

"All network users must remain vigilant of network activities and report all suspicious actions," he said. "Users should also leave computers on at the end of the duty day to ensure systems are properly scanned and patched."

Mr. Dillard said that each base across the Department of Defense is connected to one network. Whether at a deployed location or back at home station, a network vulnerability at that installation represents a threat to the entire network.

He added that network security isn't just something to worry about at the office. Users must take action at home to better protect themselves.

"It is also vital that users install anti-virus software, firewall programs and strong passwords on their home computers," Mr. Dillard said. "Client Support Administrators can provide free copies of the government-approved anti-virus software."

The AETC and Maxwell-Gunter Network Focus Days were part of a wider Department of Defense effort to educate servicemembers, DoD civilians and contractors on the realities of defending cyberspace.

An Airman's Roll Call describing the importance of cyber threat training in the Air Force was released on March 4 and is available at www.af.mil/library/rollcall.asp.