By Kathleen A.K. Lopez
Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs

5/15/2006 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFMCNS) - In an effort to stay one step ahead of the cyberspace "bad guys," aka computer hackers, the Air Force is implementing a new standard desktop configuration, or SDC, that will establish a uniform and secure desktop environment.

For the Air Force "good guys," this means there will be one more layer of added protection for computer users, thus heightening their security settings. The new configuration is mandatory for all Windows-based work stations connecting to both the NIPRNet (unclassified) and SIPRNet (classified) systems. Additionally, there will be standardization of common office software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, PowerPoint, Outlook, Norton Antivirus, Adobe Acrobat Reader and others.

"What this means to AFMC Airmen is that all aspects of computers used, including Windows Operating Systems, anti-virus programs, smart card readers and common media players will operate uniformly regardless of where individuals are operating across the Air Force," said Robert Trame, Air Force Materiel Command's SDC implementation manager. "However, the primary purpose for the SDC is on the security side. Our goal is to reduce vulnerabilities to malicious activities from hackers."

"Because work station's configurations are more securely controlled, people may no longer have access to perform tasks requiring administrative privilege such as installing software or visiting some .com sites," he said. "Other than that type of inconvenience, users should experience few interruptions during the SDC transformation process."

First up is NIPRNet implementation.

"Each major command was tasked to identify one of its bases to lead the others through the configuration," said Jon S. Ogg, AFMC Communications director.

For AFMC, that lead is Hill Air Force Base, Utah, which began piloting April 24. Additionally, Hill AFB will be used to assist the Air Force's Configuration Management Office in validating and improving deployment processes, as well as determining sustainable implementation rates, Mr. Ogg said.

Lt. Gen. Michael W. Peterson, Air Force Chief of Warfighting Integration and chief information officer, approved the SDC in March.

"This initiative represents a major improvement in how we manage, operate and secure our network," General Peterson said. "I understand this will be difficult to accomplish. We will all need to work together to identify and apply the right solutions."

The SDC implementation will begin Air Force-wide by July 1. NIPRNet transformation completion is expected by December 31 and SIPRNet by July 31, 2007.


 

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