CCRI reaps ‘excellents’

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Pedro Mota
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  As technology continues to grow, the digital world of zeros and ones has now become a cyber battleground for information.

Luke Air Force Base scored an "Excellent" twice during a Command Cyber Readiness Inspection for cyber security and physical networking security March 17 through 22.

An inspection team from the Defense Information Systems Agency used retina computer scans and compiled data from the 56th Communications Squadron to make sure the entire base's cyber security systems were compliant with the rules and regulations set by the Defense Department.

"With the advances in the cyber world being exponential, the capabilities of hackers are considered dangerous," said 2nd Lt. David Lucas, 56th CS battle captain. "We maintain security because of the constant threat from hackers and their attempts to explore every option available to breach."

Even common products that are used by bases, such as computer software and accessories, have to be tested and patched with updates to fix possible breach holes to maintain security.

"Because of the wing-wide team effort of Luke, we received two excellent scores on the branch networks security systems inspection," said Senior Master Sgt. Jason Lohr, 56th CS flight operations superintendent. "The nonsecure protocol router branch network inspection scored in the top 10 percent throughout the DOD and the secure protocol router branch network was the second highest throughout the DOD."

Realizing the cyber threat is real, the 56th CS works with the entire wing to ensure all classified information stays out of hostile hands.

"With the new F-35 mission, our information is about to get more sensitive, so greater security in the networks will be needed," Lohr said. "Staying cyber safe requires a wing-wide effort."