Northwest Trains Region in Information Assurance

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Dagendesh, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Detachment Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- Regional information assurance support specialists from Commander, Navy Region Northwest (CNRNW) conducted IA training for Sailors and Department of Defense (DoD) personnel at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, July 21 and Naval Base Kitsap, July 22.

Information assurance training for Naval Station Everett is scheduled to be held Aug. 10.

All Department of the Navy personnel who have access to DoD computers, including active duty, Reserve, retired, Navy civilians and contractors are required to complete inforamtion assurance training.

"Commander, Navy Region Northwest is presenting information assurance training to the customer of all the bases. Customers will need to attend these so they can learn the best and safest practices for information assurance of the networks," said Peg Burchill, CNRNW, IA support specialist. "IA (information assurance) training is given to personnel to ensure they know the correct information is getting out only to the right person."

During the information assurance training, Sailors and DoD employees were reminded that they must take adequate security measures in safe guarding information.

"Network security is critical to the defense and the security of the nation. This is nothing to take lightly. If they (intruders) get into our networks, they will know our Department of Defense positions and that is very scary stuff," said Burchill.

The training included common sense tactics about certain websites to avoid, suspicious e-mails, Common Access Card (CAC) and developing passwords as well as the importance of classified information and how to safeguard it from unauthorized users, both inside and outside the workplace.

"We ask you not to forward spam, but when you send it to the information assurance manager (IAM) that you attach it," said Joseph Ellis, regional information assurance technician. "You must be careful what you save or reply to, and lock your computers when you leave your desk."

The more Sailors and DoD employees know about information assurance, the safer their networks will be.

"IA training is very important because it keeps the computers and networks safe; it's something everyone needs to know because our security depends on it," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (EXW) David J. Miaso, assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Base Security. "It also provides an additional layer of defense for our networks and helps ensure availability for only authorized users."