Not another security briefing?

  • Published
  • By Derrick Wheeler
  • 88th Security Forces Squadron
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  You've all heard the complaints and arguments about the time that security awareness training takes away from our daily tasks. We don't mind security, as long as it doesn't get in the way and slow us down. 

Nobody likes long lines at our gates, but most agree the ID checks causing them are necessary for our protection. Everyone complains computer network security measures are too "restrictive," but can we accept the potentially heinous results of bypassing these protections? 

Think about what happens when we briefly lose access to our computers because the network folks had to clean up a virus or worse yet when the computers get locked down because of a security incident. Hope I'm not telling state secrets here, but I know in my area productivity takes a hit and there is a marked increase in getting "reacquainted" with office mates. 

How serious do we take those PowerPoint presentations that attempt to raise our security awareness? Do we really read them, or are we simply opening them so they show being read and then delete them because we know all about security? Who has the time, right? After all, I've been tasked with five projects and three of them were due yesterday. What we fail to realize is, those few minutes we attempt to save by ignoring that security awareness training or cutting those corners is in reality costing us a tremendous amount of time and money in lost productivity not to mention jeopardizing our national security. 

Don't leave security to the unit security manager. If you handle classified information, security of that information is your responsibility. Instead of reacting to an incident, it is better to act with good security practices to prevent one. 

How many folks would cash their paycheck, go to the mall and leave it on the seat of your unlocked car while you went inside? I would opine no one would. This is the same level of care requested for those who are working with information or conducting the end-of-day checks. The big difference is if someone steals your money at the mall you are out a few bucks; if someone steals the classified information you have put our national security at risk. Yes, anything from America's technical edge to life and limb of an operator somewhere in the world depending on the system or technology you were supposed to take serious and protect. 

So what are these incidents we are talking about? Incidents can cover a broad spectrum of poor practices. Something as simple as not turning the dial on the safe's lock or putting a classified CD on someone's desk hoping they will be back soon to get. Preventing incidents does not depend on how good your security manager is, it depends on whether the person holding the classified actually fulfills their responsibilities by completing a few simple actions. Remember classified is only considered secure in a GSA approved container, your hand, or your head! 

Lost time and productivity can easily be saved in all cases if just a little more attention to detail occurred and the individual ensured established procedures were followed. One way to ensure established procedures are being followed that has proven to be very cost-effective is by completing the mandated end-of-day check (EOC). We use the EOC since taking things for granted and dealing with classified don't mix. You don't have to wait until the end-of-the day either. Be a wingman, if your co-worker is working with classified material and they get ready to step out for lunch, give them a friendly reminder about locking up the classified and to double check their desk. Your help just may be the simple step in helping to prevent another incident, so help each other out and take care of each other. 

So what does security awareness training have to do with all this? Simple. Here at Wright-Patt we have the unique role of being on the cutting edge of supporting and defending America. This accentuates the imperative to conduct recurring security awareness training to help keep those simple measures fresh in our minds and avoid putting national security at risk. It's quite possible the few minutes spent reviewing this information can help you avoid being part of a security incident inquiry! 

If you any questions or are looking for opportunities to receive further training, please contact the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Information Security Office at 255-4441 or email 88SFS/SFAInformationSecurity@WPAFB.AF.MIL.