Keesler to undergo cyber security inspection Published May 30, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Heather Heiney 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Members of the Defense Information Systems Agency are scheduled to visit Keesler from U.S. Cyber Command at Ft. Meade, Md., June 4-8 to conduct a Command Cyber Readiness Inspection. "Inspectors will be evaluating Keesler's cyber security posture to ensure we are doing our part to make the cyber domain a safer place to perform our mission," Chuck Cerny, 81st Training Wing Information Assurance chief, said. "They will assess Keesler's compliance with Department of Defense information assurance policies as well as traditional and physical security standards; protecting our networks and the information transmitted, processed, and stored on those networks." Cerny said that the inspection will primarily focus on the 81st Communications Squadron's network facilities, but that everyone on Keesler can contribute to a successful inspection. "This is accomplished by users embracing and employing good computer and network security practices," Cerny said. "Protecting our networks requires all users to fully embrace the cyber culture. Users must thoroughly understand and uphold their responsibility to protect our network." In order to keep computers and information secure, Cerny suggested that the following practices be used every day: · Lock computers and remove common access cards when leaving the system unattended · Never download e-mail attachments from unknown senders · Treat all passwords and personal identification numbers like a toothbrush - don't share them with others · Never connect any device to your computer via USB · Protect Personally Identifiable Information data by encrypting e-mail and files · Report spam and scams to your unit Information Assurance Officer; never forward them · Be careful not to post deployment or other official information to social media sites · Always secure your office area when empty and departing at the end of the day · Challenge anyone in your areas that you do not recognize; find out why they are there and determine the reason is legitimate; report suspicious personnel to your unit security manager · Ensure positive access control procedures are followed at all times; control the movement of visitors in your areas and facilities; provide escorts when necessary · Report suspicious requests for information to your unit security manager or supervisor "Teams have been working very hard to review our current configuration and procedures to verify compliance with DOD policies," said Julie Noakley, network operations chief. "Additionally we have been educating users across the base on the importance of their role in cyber security. Following the tips listed above and just having a security focus when utilizing computing resources is our best defense." Noakley also said that a positive result on the CCRI would show that Keesler is doing its part to protect information and takes its responsibility to secure DOD assets seriously. Rosman "Ro" Kimbrough, 81st Communications Squadron director, said, "In today's cyber culture, all personnel assigned to Keesler should guard against complacency. We're all accustomed to thinking of warfare in conventional terms. However, with the proliferation of computer networks and our ever increasing reliance on them to perform our mission, we are all at the tip of the spear on the cyberspace battlefront. The enemy is clever and will attempt to exploit us using methods that appear harmless, even friendly. We all must be vigilant in recognizing that threat and taking the actions necessary to thwart those attempts."