Cyber awareness key to ORI success

  • Published
  • By Airman Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The 28th Communications Squadron is kicking off Cyber Awareness Week Feb. 6 to 10, focused on better preparing Airmen at Ellsworth for the upcoming operational readiness inspection.

With a common goal across Ellsworth to excel in the ORI, the 28th CS is providing a shortened version of the Cyber Awareness week to help educate Airmen eight months ahead of schedule.

"Traditionally, this takes place in October. However, in light of Ellsworth's upcoming ORI, we are offering a condensed version to the base for a single week," said Maj. Heath Frye, 28th CS commander. "We will raise awareness, offer road shows, and give out approved home antivirus software to active-duty personnel."

The activities are intended to educate the base populace about web-based security and help prevent future incidents involving cyber threats and adversarial tactics.

"It will raise awareness on cyber threats Americans face today, as well as educate Americans on what we can do to defend against these threats," said Frye. "By making our home and work environments more cyber aware, we will also make these environments more secure."

The 28th CS plans to host cyber awareness kiosks at the 28th Medical Group, base commissary and the Exchange from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 8. The kiosks, open to everyone with a valid military identification card, will provide information pertaining to cyber security and specialists will give out free home use antivirus software.

"We're going to be providing information to Airmen that will help them understand the potential risks they will face online," Tech. Sgt. Jacqueline Chant, 28th CS NCO in charge of client system services. "We'll also have general safety knowledge available that will highlight some do's and don'ts."

Frye said he plans to visit all Ellsworth commanders throughout the week with a road show explaining what services the 28th CS can provide for their squadrons. The major added that commanders at all levels should understand how crucial cyber awareness is to our national defense.

"In 2004, the Department of Homeland Security started the Cyber Security Awareness Month. This program was enthusiastically endorsed by President Obama in 2009," said Frye.

For more information on cyber warfare or Cyber Awareness Week, call the 28th CS at 385-2666.