October is Cyber Security Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dylan Nuckolls
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Department of Defense employees have the responsibility to protect information on work computers as well as personal information at home.

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, and the 52nd Communications Squadron cyber security team is getting the information out to help Airmen better protect Air Force and personal networks.

There are little things that Airmen can do that will go a long way in helping improve personal cyber security at work, said Airman 1st Class Chellandrea Cole, 52nd CS wing cyber security team from Paducah, Ky.

These tips include regular checks on anti-virus software, the use of only authorized plug-in devices and knowledge of how to report a suspected threat.

Sabers can better protect themselves at work by constantly working with their unit information assurance officers to make sure their anti-virus software is up to date, said Oscar Castaneda III, 52nd CS information assurance manager from Uvalde, Texas.

Airmen should remove their common access card when leaving the computer and digitally sign important emails they send. These are two things that will help improve personal cyber security at work, Cole said. Removing the ID card when leaving the computer protects Airmen security by not allowing someone to get on their account. Digitally signing important emails is a security measure in place to protect users.

If an Airman thinks their computer is under attack by a virus or some other computer threat, the Airman should have a working knowledge on how to report the situation.

The first step in the process is to report the threat to a unit IAO immediately, Castaneda said. The next step is to disconnect the network cable and to stop using the system.

The third step is to make sure the system stays on, Castaneda said. The last step is to document when a computer started to malfunction and to note actions that the person did before the computer started malfunctioning. Include the dates and times.

Airmen not only need to help protect the Air Force network, but they also need to protect their own personal network and computers, because some hackers attempt to access the Air Force network from a home network, Castaneda said.

"You want to make sure you've got up-to-date anti-virus software, and provide PC updates as often as you can," Castaneda said

DoD military and employees personnel can download free anti-virus software for their home computers from http://disa.mil/Services/Information-Assurance/HBS/Antivirus/Home-Use.
 
When using social media, Airmen want to make sure they are clicking on safe links and do not believe everything that is posted on these sites.

"Cyber security is something we should all be practicing daily," Cole said. "It is definitely a big part of the Air Force mission of cyber space."

For more information about cyber security, contact unit IAO or the 52nd CS cyber surety team at DSN 452-5375 or 06565-61-5375.