The Information Protection Directorate provides overarching security support for info at WPAFB

  • Published
  • By Sandy Simison
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --       Information protection relates to safeguarding classified and controlled unclassified information, which can be anything from paper and safes to electronic media. 

     The Information Protection Directorate provides threat mitigation and security controls for the installation, its tenants, and some geographically separated units.  It implements information protection policies and processes to protect Air Force information and systems.

     The Wright-Patt IP office encompasses the protection of information, personnel, and industrial security; in addition, it oversees operations security and operates a central destruction facility.

     "We support all of our installation mission partners, including units which are considered geographically separated units," said Danny Myers, Director. "We're unique in that the majority of the information protection shops in the Air Force don't have OSPEC merged with information protection nor do they support the challenges associated with a daunting acquisition mission."

     The IP office also administers a secure container re-utilization program, whereby installation mission customers can obtain a used certified safe--free!  The office is equipped to handle safe "lockouts."  Additionally, to maintain that safe, IP offers a safe maintenance course on a recurring basis as well as a scheduled safe recertification service.

     Other courses offered through the IP office include a top security control officer course, a security manager training course, a classified marking class, an OPSEC coordinator course, and a workshop on how to establish security requirements on classified contracts.

      "Personnel security is associated with clearances, which supports the commander's ongoing monitoring of the suitability of their people who have clearances. We assist with that.  It's a huge mission, probably one of the largest in the Air Force," said Myers. "We also process all periodic reinvestigations, as well."

     The IP office manages security clearances for new airmen coming into the Air Force for organizations not only located on the installation, but also in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.

     "The industrial security program provides guidance to contractors on how to protect classified and controlled unclassified information, overseeing 250-plus classified contracts installation-wide.  Our large volume of classified information involved with those systems makes the IP Directorate close to the largest information protection directorate in the AF, " said Sheryl Baker, chief.  "We partner with defense contractors to build and help sustain our programs and that introduces unique information protection challenges."

      The central destruction facility, also operated by the IP Directorate, provides base-wide support for destruction of classified and also controlled unclassified material.  They offer a disintegrator for paper and compact disk-related material; a degausser for magnetic media, and a solid-state destroyer for solid state and optical media--thumb drives, media cards, etc. 
   For more information regarding installation Protection service please contact us at 255-4926.