Cyber Defense Flight conducts rapid assessment of operations at JMC

Between Sept. 13 and Oct. 13, the 673d Communications Squadron Cyber Defense Flight responded to a commander-tasked assessment involving mission-essential computers at the Joint Mobility Complex on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

The assessment collected data on a targeted mission to rapidly conduct cyber-risk identification, assessment, and remediation to evaluate the risk to operations during mass deployments.

The CDF evaluated the cyber operations on 64 computers.

“While scanning and evaluating the results we identified 1,357 potential vulnerabilities in total on the NIPR computers,” said Air Force 1st Lt. Justin Vernon, CDF commander. “Based on the impact to the JMC mission, we were able to immediately remediate 75 percent of those vulnerabilities.”

The CDF significantly decreased the threat and increased mission readiness on the cyber terrain of the JMC.

“The CDF worked to patch and update the out-of-date computers at the JMC,” said Patrick Boyden, 773d Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics management specialist. “The team handled the assessment seamlessly.”

For the CDF, the assessment changes from the average information technology work – it’s now focused on incorporating operational defense missions.

“By adding operationalized defense missions, we are assuring that critical systems during a mission are well-maintained, defended, and available when needed,” Vernon said.

While the assessment was during Polar Force 18-1, the CDF performs the test in case of a real mission.

“The CDF ensured there wouldn’t be a single point of failure on any computer at the JMC,” said Boyden. “The assessment was vital in order to support and enable the JMC to execute the deployment mission.”