Cyber security focus of October

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The 28th Communications Squadron kicked off National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Oct. 8, focused on educating the base, and ensuring its network information and infrastructure remain secure, reliable and resilient.

Lt. Col. Heath Frye, 28th CS commander, said the focus throughout the month is on raising awareness of some of the serious threats Airmen and their families face regarding cyber security. He added it was recently reported that adversaries used a new hacking technique called "spear-phishing" to gain access to computers in the White House at Washington, D.C.

"The greatest threat we face today is spear-phishing - an attack which involves receiving an e-mail that appears to be from a legitimate source, with either an attachment to open or a link to click," Frye said. "In reality, the e-mail is from an attacker who is only pretending to be the person sending the e-mail. When the user clicks the link or opens the attachment, they receive malicious code which grants the attacker access to their system."

He noted that spear-phishing is also commonly used against U.S. citizens to steal their identities and money.

As part of its education efforts, the 28th CS will staff cyber awareness kiosks every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 28th Medical Group, and every Thursday at the Exchange from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout October. Visitors will be able to obtain information pertaining to cyber security and a specialist will be available to answer questions. Kiosks are open to everyone with a valid military identification card.

"The kiosks are intended to help prevent future incidents involving cyber threats," said Tech. Sgt. Jacqueline Chant, 28th CS NCO in charge of client system services. "We're going to be out there to provide valuable information to Ellsworth Airmen including handouts that help people secure their social media accounts, and instructions on how to download free anti-virus software from the Air Force Portal."

Frye said he plans to visit all Ellsworth commanders throughout the month with a road show explaining what services the 28th CS can provide for their squadrons, including a how-to guide on strengthening their online security.

"In some ways, the cyber world is similar to the physical world," Frye noted. "People avoid bad areas of town, don't leave their car or house unlocked, and don't tell strangers where or when they are going when they are leaving town. Similarly, people should avoid dangerous websites and make sure their computers are protected with recent anti-virus software. It's crucial that Airmen realize there are serious threats out there and that ultimately, it's up to them to make sure they're protected."

For more information on cyber warfare or National Cyber Security Awareness Month, call the 28th CS at (605) 385-2666.