Library meet certification and training goals

  • Published
  • By Mr. Christopher J. Echols, YC-03Deputy Commander/Technical Director
  • 96 Communications Group
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  To help achieve the certification and training requirements mandated by DoD 8570, the 96th Communicatins Group Deputy Chief Information Office established an 8570 Tech Library.

Ken Perkins, computer scientist, is the additional duty library manager and the coordinator for DoD 8570 certification training. The 8570 library,located in Bldg. 380's deputy CIO Support Office, contains study guides for Security +, A + and CISSP. The library is available to anyone here who is currently enrolled in computer or a classroom training course. The DEP CIO also plans to establish an 8570 training lab to allow for study during the work day.

"While DoD 8570 certification can be accomplished through either CBT on Skillport or classroom training, both are opportunities to build a solid foundation for the information assurance professional," Mr. Perkins said.

DoD Directive 8570.1 provides the basis for an enterprise-wide solution to train, certify, and manage the DoD Information Assurance workforce. 

"The ultimate goal is to have a sustained, professional IA workforce with the knowledge and skills to effectively prevent and respond to attacks against DoD information, information systems, and information infrastructures," Mr. Perkins said. "The USAF goal is to have 40 percent of all IA personnel 8570 certified by the end of  2008 and 100 perccent by the end of  2010. This is a daunting task since there are more than 1,100 persons on Eglin network (AFMC & tenants) who possess the elevated IA privileges."
 
Col. Stephen O'Rear, Air Armament Center deputy CIO and commander of the 96th CG said the 1,100+ individuals with elevated privileges represent an increased vulnerability to the Eglin network. 

"The greater the number of network accounts with elevated privileges, the more lucrative and attractive a target those accounts are to adversaries and criminal hackers," he said.  "This is why it is critical that we have all IA personnel 8570 trained and certified, in addition to reducing the overall number of individuals possessing elevated privileges."