CCRI to occur during Cyber Security Awareness Month Published Oct. 7, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- The mission of the U.S. Air Force is to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace. With F-22 Raptors and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dominating the air and 63 satellites orbiting in space around the Earth, the Air Force has air and space covered. But for the Air Force to succeed in cyberspace, it takes the combined effort and competency of every Airman. The month of October has been designated National Cyber Security Awareness Month. For Dover AFB, this is fitting due to the upcoming week-long Command Cyber Readiness Inspection (CCRI) that is to occur from Oct. 20 to 24, 2014. Usually conducted every three to four years by the Defense Information Systems Agency, the CCRI's primary function is to assess DAFB's computer network's security posture. Normally, a base or installation is given a one year notice before the inspection is to take place, but because Team Dover has never been inspected for the latest criteria, it was only given a two-month heads up. "Everybody has to be cyber-ready 365 days a year," said Maj. Steven Peña, 436th Communications Squadron commander. "So when this does happen, there really is no need for preparation because you're doing what you should be doing all the time." The inspection includes a full network scan with the purpose of searching for vulnerabilities. It also includes assessments of physical security for areas where classified networks are stored. The inspection's purpose is to gauge Dover AFB's compliance with Department of Defense cyber security guidelines for non-classified and classified networks. "I have full confidence in my team and what they're able to do to get us to pass this inspection," said Peña. Peña stated that the number one way for Team Dover Airmen to be cyber-ready during the inspection, but more importantly all the time, is for them to maintain positive control of their Command Access Cards (CAC). This means never leaving their CAC unattended, even for the shortest amount of time. Also, unauthorized USB flash drives or external hard drives should not be plugged into government computers. "Do not plug USBs into computers," said Peña. "Sometimes people make the mistake of wanting to charge their phones and plug them into their computers." Other important measures to take include: not shutting down computers, only log off at the end of the duty day, register all removable media with the Wing Information Assurance Office, clearly mark all systems with proper classification stickers, the use of blue-tooth wireless keyboards, mice and remotes are prohibited and do no relocate systems without proper coordination with your Information Assurance Officer and the 436th Communications Squadron. "It is important to remember that this is a base-wide inspection, we (the 436th CS) are the lead for the inspection," said Peña. "The normal everyday Airman also has a role in cyber security."