The U.S. Air Force will establish a new chief information security office and in conjunction has started a year-long campaign to promote and address cybersecurity across the military service.The campaign will work to encourage all personnel across the service branch to integrate cybersecurity in their daily routines, the Air Force said Monday.
Lt. Gen. William Bender, the Air Force’s chief information officer, said unsecured logs, downloads and use of unauthorized devices create vulnerabilities in the military branch’s systems that could potentially lead to cyber attacks.
“We must position cyber at the forefront of our thinking, planning, and operations. Cybersecurity depends on every Airman, regardless of rank or job description,” Bender said.
“We need every airman to understand that cybersecurity awareness and the mission systems we connect to are inextricably linked, and we must be cyber secure,” said Maj. Gen. Cedric George, deputy chief of staff for logistics.
George added Air Force leaders will be responsible for educating warfighters that cyber domain goes beyond the internet and includes computer systems linked with other systems, such as smartphones, industrial controllers, car processors, desktop computers and avionic computers.
“It is not just the cyberspace warriors who need to adapt; operators and support personnel who focus on the physical domains also need to practice operating effectively in an environment of constant change where not everything works as expected.”
