Photo By Staff Sgt. Megan Shepherd | Chief Master Sgt. David Krutsch, the Chief Enlisted Manager of the 179th...... read more read more
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In 2018, around six trillion dollars in cybercrime damage was reported. Every individual has an important role in ensuring online safety and protection.
“Cyber security is extremely important,” said Chief Master Sgt. David Krutsch, the Chief Enlisted Manager of the 179th Communications Flight at the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio. “People don’t realize we’re all part of the same Air Force network, so if we have a machine in some back office that isn’t patched and correctly maintained, it actually opens a vulnerability to the entire Air Force network.”
The 179th Communications Flight spends a great deal of time making sure the systems are secured and that they do their part so that bad actors can’t get into the Air Force network through the 179th Airlift Wing or any government system.
Krutsch talked about the big steps they’ve taken lately to update systems by patching, buying new equipment and setting it up, replacing everything from printers, keyboards and computers, to large enterprise level equipment in the frame rooms.
“We scan the network and ensure that we detect any vulnerabilities and correct them immediately,” said Krutsch.
Additionally, they try to provide resiliency and alternate paths to make sure they can at least do basic operations in case something does go down.
“We’re driving ourselves towards trying to get to a place where we are more of a player in domestic operations,” said Krutsch, “so that in the event that something really does happen nationally or regionally, we have the ability to talk to state, local, and national leaders via alternate methods.”
It is also their job to make sure things work and are secure so people can accomplish their mission, said Krutsch. From logistics and services, to operations and maintenance, and everyone in between, COMM is responsible for providing them interconnectivity with all their web based, locally based and server-based systems, so they can do their day to day jobs.
“Ultimately our job is to defend the country,” said Krutsch. "We’re equal partners with the United States Air Force and we need to be able to do that.”
Krutsch was in aircraft maintenance for almost 20 years. He said when he came to COMM he realized how challenging it was, but also rewarding.
“COMM is very complex,” said Krutsch. “There’s multiple avenues you could go down, but they all kind of come together. We work really hard to work as a team and collaborate. It’s a great unit to work for. The people are just phenomenal, they’re very smart, dedicated, and willing to share.”
When it comes to base communications, they support everything from the telephone systems to the network, access to the internet, the giant voice, paging, and more. Some of those are interconnected, some are very separate. Trying to get those older technologies and newer technologies to work together in harmony can be very challenging.
“We’ve sent people to extensive training and we’ve worked really hard to try to integrate everything in a seamless, painless, method for the customer,” said Krutsch.
With October being National Cyber Security Awareness Month, it is important that everyone has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online.
According to Krutsch, some basic cyber security tips are: set up a user account that doesn’t have administrative privileges on new devices, use complex passwords, keep systems patched and connected so updates can be received on a real time basis, run a good virus scan protection, and just keep on top of things.
“As most users know, we change passwords quite a bit and use long, complex passwords,” said Krutch. “Those are all part of ensuring that the system is secure.”
Email can also be an area of vulnerability.
“If you get an email from someone you don’t know, definitely don’t open the attachment,” said Krutsch. “Even if it’s from somebody you know and it seems suspicious or odd, don’t open those as well.”
National Cyber Security Awareness Month emphasizes personal accountability and stresses the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity at home and in the workplace.
“It’s a team effort,” said Krutsch. “We have a great group of folks who spend a lot of time daily updating systems, patching them to the latest software, and doing their utmost to make sure that we’re all secure and in turn the Air Force network.”
| Date Taken: | 10.06.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.30.2019 13:38 |
| Story ID: | 349541 |
| Location: | MANSFIELD, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 119 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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