Make cybersecurity your New Year's resolution

Cybersecurity is real and it’s every Airmen’s business. Our Department of Defense networks are attacked thousands of times each day by adversaries trying to penetrate and degrade our National Defense systems.

Today, we live in a globally networked society, which is increasingly dependent on cyber security. The Air Force’s ability to gain and maintain cyberspace superiority has become essential to deliver global reach, power and vigilance.

Cyber vulnerabilities are real, dangerous and pose a serious threat to our ability to conduct operations. All you have to do is listen to current events and listen to the warnings put out by hardware and software developers and manufactures this year about Meltdown and Spectre.

Meltdown and Spectre exploit critical vulnerabilities in modern processor. These vulnerabilities allow programs to steal data which is currently processed on the computer.  Hackers could create malicious code that could exploit, and get hold of data stored in the memory of other programs. This might include your passwords stored in a password manager or browsers, your personal photos, emails, instant messages and even business-critical documents.

Meltdown and Spectre can effect both personal computers and mobile devices.

With so much going on in the Cyberspace Domain, we need everyone to be a good Cyber Wingman to help in the fight by:

• Updating your virus software at work and home

• Applying operating system updates and patches on all devices when directed

• Adhering to and utilizing the principles taught in the mandatory DoD annual Cyber training

It’s up to every Airman to aide our Cyber Warriors in the fight to keep the bad guys out and our networks safe.

Editor's note: Col. Terry is the Special Assistant to the Commander, Tenth Air Force and previously served as the Commander, 960th Cyber Operations Group.