Airmen combat a changing battlefield

  • Published
  • By Airmen 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Technology has shaped the way Airmen and their families experience everyday life. From checking e-mail, to updating their status on social networking sites and even receiving official training, Internet users have embraced the Web as an invaluable part of the Air Force experience, making them vulnerable to cyber warfare.

Because of cyber warfare and terrorism, Internet users are vulnerable to online security threats, requiring Airmen to maintain a high-level of awareness and responsibility when using online resources.

According to Staff Sgt. Jesse Fazzone, 354th Communication Squadron NCO in charge of wing computer security and emissions security, anyone can be a victim.

"Social networking sites are great tools to keep in touch with deployed Airmen," said Sergeant Fazzone. "However, if they were to start sending detailed information on what they are doing [from day to day], people could get hurt."

"It's very, very important that Airmen think before they type," added Senior Airmen Megan Seal, 354th CS communication security accountant.

Another social networking tool that has come under considerable scrutiny is geotagging. Airmen may unknowingly use this technology when they use a smart phone's photo capability, or access social media sites.

"Anybody can use geotagging to find out where any person is located," said Sergeant Fazzone. "If someone geotags every place they go, for example, 'I was in Baghdad this day...I was in Bagram that day,' enemies of the U.S. and its allies could use that with other social networking tools to predict movement of military personnel and equipment."

Other types of cyber-terrorism include the duplication of U.S. Federal and state Web sites. These sites mirror official Air Force Web sites to confuse users and lead them to malware.

Airmen can rely on their annual information assurance computer-based training to provide guidance and safe habits when navigating through online sites. The potential threat is there, but by continually practicing safe security measures, Airmen minimize weaknesses and vulnerabilities in Air Force networks.

"Airmen must make the most of computer-based training and more importantly apply the lessons learned," added Airman 1st Class Joseph Song, 354th CS information assurance officer. "Retaining this information is critical to avoiding complacency."

Official training can help Airmen maintain situational awareness and avoid complacency while they carry on with daily activities, especially during the ongoing battle against cyber-terrorism.