Fleet Cyber Command Recognizes NCTS Guam

By Shaina Marie Santos, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

DEDEDO, Guam (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S. 10th Fleet, applauded U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) Guam Dec. 13, for being the first in the Pacific to pass the Command Cyber Readiness Inspection (CCRI).

Vice Adm. Mike Rogers addressed NCTS Guam during an all-hands call.

"I want to thank you for your hard work that generated a successful CCRI," Rogers said. "That didn't just happen; you had to make it happen. I thank you for the hard work that went into it, and I thank you for your commitment"

NCTS Guam Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Randal Fuller said the CCRI, which was conducted Dec. 3-7, is an intensive look at every aspect of an operation in terms of network reliability and resiliency against possible threat.

"The inspection itself is a means of proving readiness," Fuller said. "Given the intensity of the inspection and the grading system, achieving a passing grade requires several thousand things to go right all at the exact same time while the inspector is looking. No amount of last minute preparation can achieve this. Only a long-term, sustained drive toward rigid and disciplined network management can produce these results."

The configuration of every device on the Non-classified and Secret Internet Protocol Router Networks is evaluated to ensure that it is in its most resilient configuration, according to Fuller. In addition, inspectors reviewed the security of information-sensitive items such as common access cards and compact discs.

Rogers said passing the inspections displays NCTS Guam's exceptional standard of mission readiness.

"Excellence in cyber (warfare) is going to be an important part of warfighting in the future for our service," he said. "That inspection represents the opportunity to show just what our true cyber readiness is, and we have got to be every bit as ready in the cyber arena as we are in - pick any other mission. NCTS, like the rest of the Navy, always needs to be ready to execute the mission we're given."

Though the installation passed the inspection, Rogers reminded the staff that readiness is more than a task, it is a duty that must be constantly upheld.

"You don't achieve excellence by just waiting until somebody tells you to go do something, you achieve excellence by being ready every day," he said.

NCTS Guam provides multispectral connectivity, network operations and information assurance to Navy, joint and coalition forces on Guam and the Western Pacific, and Indian Ocean.