Air Force Culture and Technology Collide Published Oct. 20, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Monique M. Desko 436th Communications Squadron DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Technology has taken over our everyday lives and has redefined the way we interact with others, maintain relationships, complete education, administer health care, conduct business and the list goes on. The capabilities of accomplishing any task, objective or overcoming any obstacle in life have guaranteed technology its rightful place in society and our culture. On the contrary, with the military departments and more specifically the Air Force, it appears that the use of the newest technology has been slow to adapt as quickly; rightfully so given the potential negative impact to the military mission sets. Today's new cyber culture generates new forms of technology at an exponential pace. By the time software and hardware vendors upgrade their latest internet capable device or newest software release, the Air Force user is roughly two device or software versions behind. As an example, as the world reaches Windows 10 use, the Air Force continues to use Windows 7. There is good reason for staying a step behind; with great technology, comes great vulnerabilities. Securing new technology in the vast cyber ecosystem is a daunting challenge. Weaknesses inherent in new software and hardware are discovered at an alarming rate not only by cyber defenders through research and testing but by nefarious hackers who seek fame or fortune by stealing sensitive data using those inherent weaknesses. In order to upgrade any software program to a newer version, cyber-technicians research, test, scan and repeat at a constant rhythm. This process allows cyber defenders to work with commercial vendors to fix the newest technology before it is deployed to the warfighter and in turn, this process hardens the Air Force network and systems. Adaption to the cyber culture and new technology is a continuous process that cyber defenders have integrated into the daily mission to protect and defend the Air Force network. The generation of devices used by the Air Force today may seem a year or two outdated, but the devices protect our networks and help maintain our national security. The Air Force has gone to great lengths to protect our country, our Airmen and our critical information. Technology will be forever changing, but the Air Force mission remains relatively constant; Fly, Fight and Win in air, space and cyberspace.