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386th ECS cybersecurity keeps mission flying

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. William Banton
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Deep in the middle of the 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron is a drab windowless room smaller than the average college dorm and cramped with filing cabinets and desks.

The occupants of the unseemly benign room are responsible for providing cryptographic voice and data equipment support for the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, assuring communication security compliancy.

On Oct. 20, the Airmen of the 386th ECS Wing Cybersecurity Office achieved momentous success by passing a semiannual inspection with no critical write-ups. The week-long inspection ensured the 386th ECS communication network is up to Air Force standards and that communications using radios, voice over secure Internet Protocol phones and secret IP l router networks are secure.

“From what I heard from the inspectors and senior leadership, it is fairly common to have critical write-ups,” said 1st Lt. Carmelle Lapeña, 386th ECS Plans & Resources Flight commander. “So, this was a first for that inspector; to have an outstanding account. Even the inspection last March had critical findings, but there were none this time.”

A critical write-up signifies a COMSEC incident, a breach of security or classified information. An incident could include anything from missing items to unauthorized access to sensitive areas, said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Skipper, 386th ECS Wing Cybersecurity Office COMSEC manager. The severity of the write-up could lead to further investigations, including a National Security Agency investigation.

The inspection comes at a time when the unit is working to upgrade their cyber security systems to become autonomous; they currently operate as a sub organization of the 379th ECS, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

In order to operate, Air Force COMSEC units have independent accounts. Without direct access to these accounts, certain functions and requests have to be sent to a parent unit to be completed.
“So, say you came to me and you had an emergency encryption key or something else you needed, we may not be able to provide that service [immediately],” Skipper said.

Skipper said the 386th ECS is approximately 70 percent complete to establishing their own main COMSEC account. The unit has been assigned a six digit identifier and is currently waiting for the arrival, and installation, of the needed equipment. The successful inspection means that Skipper and his team will not have to correct any mistakes, allowing the 379th CES a simple handoff of responsibilities.

“I'm thankful to everyone across the base, as the success of this inspection was a collaborated effort,” Lapeña said. “It is a reflection of great leadership all around – our top notch COMSEC managers working together as a team, taking the lead with all our account holders throughout the base and up-channeling to our commanders what needs to be done. No aircraft lifts off on this base without COMSEC, and this is how our Airmen play a vital role in our flying missions and in defeating our adversaries.”