USB compliance improving, but violations still occur

Published March 27, 2012
72nd Air Base Wing Communications Directorate

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- USB/flash policy compliance has improved significantly, but "even one violation is too many," said Brenda Hill, deputy director of the 72nd Air Base Wing Communications Directorate. "The trend is better, but better isn't good enough. It shouldn't happen at all."
In January, Gen Donald Hoffman, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, issued instructions stating unit commanders and directors should "step up their engagement regarding adherence to" the policy concerning unauthorized use of USB/flash media, "with the ultimate goal being zero violations.

Even though the number of occasions when a smartphone, thumb drive, MP3 player or digital camera are plugged into a Tinker government computer has been halved in the last five months, AFMC and Tinker commanders are going for zero violations.
Today, there is almost zero patience for transgressors.

A report from AFMC identifying every violation of the policy, the date, time, computer on which it occurred, who the computer is assigned to, the type of unauthorized device used and that device's unique identifier is received by the Communications Directorate every Wednesday.

After receiving this report, Jamell Mejia, Information Technology specialist in the Communications Directorate, sends an email to each violator's Information Assurance Officer who then notifies the violator's immediate supervisor or commander.

Supervisors of employees who are identified as misusing their government computer systems should contact the servicing employee relations specialist for guidance on the applicable administrative action which can range from an oral admonishment to a removal.

The IAO has 48 hours to respond to Mr. Mejia's warning. If there's no response, the violator is locked out of the Air Force Network and must officially request reinstatement. Then Mr. Mejia prepares a report for AFMC and Tinker commanders.

Misuse of digital cameras, including government-owned cameras, is not uncommon. Before plugging any camera directly into a computer USB port, check with your IAO for the proper procedures.

Smartphones are another misuse. "Every time a new cell phone comes on the market, I know about it," said Mr. Mejia with a sigh. "At least one of them gets plugged into a base computer and shows up on my reports. These are not allowed because you can download a document from your computer or spread a virus."

When you log into a government computer connected to the Air Force Network, you see a blue screen warning that memory sticks, thumb drives and camera flash memory cards are "unauthorized on all NIPR, SIPR and JWICS-connected computers" using Windows operating systems. In addition, devices such as iPods, MP3 players, computer tablets such as iPads and non-government-issued PDAs "are also prohibited for use on Air Force Networks ..."

Please remember, your name mentioned on one of these reports would be a definite blemish on one's career advancement plans.

If you have questions about what devices may or may not be plugged into a USB port on a government-owned computer on Tinker, contact your Information Assurance Officer or call the 72d Air Base Wing Information Assurance Office at 734-2241, or even email 72 ABW/SCXS Information Assurance.