CVA to put Edwards information weapon system to the test

  • Published
  • By Darcy Painter
  • 95th Communications Group
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Just like the aircraft flying combat missions, the computers Edwards Airmen use every day is a weapon system too, in the war for information superiority.

The Edwards network repels thousands of attacks daily. Most are turned back by powerful boundary protection servers. But, if even one gets through, it seeks out the weakest link in the network. Once compromised, the impact on every Airman, their programs, the Air Force Flight Test Center and the entire Air Force could be devastating. We could lose information superiority.

To help ensure systems are not a weak link, Air Force Materiel Command is implementing the Computer Vulnerability Assessor tool. The tool scans each system and notifies users of their deficiencies. To prepare for this change in how the information weapon systems are secured, the 95th Communications Group is testing the scanning tool against their computers.

Through this testing, they are learning how the tool works and the help desk procedures that will be needed once the tool is deployed. Once the CVA is fielded, base personnel may see an on-screen message notifying them user that their machine fails to meet the required minimum security baseline. Users who receive this message must enter a Trouble Ticket on CenterNet or by calling the Edwards Support Center at 277-3444. When the 95th CG receives the ticket, they will add the missing patches.

"These scans may seem intrusive but they are absolutely necessary," said Col. Paul Hardy, 95th CG commander. "We have a responsibility to the nation to maintain our information systems at the highest level of protection, ensuring that the millions of dollars worth of test and evaluation information we are entrusted with, is as well protected from exploitation as we can possibly make it."

Colonel Hardy said the proper course of action to ensure all users receive the proper patches is by restarting their machines before leaving for the day and leaving their machines on through the day and over the weekends.
"Get in the habit of restarting just before you go home," stated Colonel Hardy. "We need your help in protecting this weapon system's operational integrity."

The following are things all users can do to ensure the integrity of the network:

1. Perform a restart on your computer daily as you leave work.
2. Leave your computer on at all times including nights and weekends.
3. If a user receives a message saying their computer requires patches, submit a Trouble Ticket on CenterNet or call the Edwards Support Center at 277-3444.

"We in the 95th CG will go through the CVA experience first, and apply all the lessons learned in preparing for the push out to all Edwards users," said Colonel Hardy. "Our goal is to protect your data and to protect DoD with minimal mission impact."