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Scott IT experts improve network security and save money

  • Published
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  At first glance it may sound like a contradiction: leave your computers on at night to save the Air Force money. But that is exactly what Scott computer users, and soon users across AMC and the Air Force, are being asked to do. 

Users will be asked to restart their computers at the end of the day and turn off only monitors and peripherals. The computers will be powered on but will automatically go into a "sleep mode" - the lowest power setting. Then, by using a new technology called Wake-on-LAN, communications administrators will be able to "wake up" workstations as required for critical security and system updates or vulnerability patches. 

It's little wonder that the Air Force is seeking ways to reduce energy use. The Department of Defense is the largest energy consumer in the United States, racking up an energy bill of $13.6 billion last year, up from $10.9 billion the year before. 

Detachment 3 of the 561st Network Operations Squadron here, representing Air Force Network Operations, is fielding a two-step Power Management program to conserve energy, lower costs, and reduce the impact on the environment. The goal is to have both steps fully implemented Air Force-wide by April 2008. 

The first step consists of configuring every workstation and monitor to enter a "standby" or a "sleep" mode after a period of inactivity using the Environmental Protection Agency's "Easy Group Policy Objects" software. This software will also provide the ability to wake up workstations to receive system updates and vital security patches. 

The second step will be an upgrade to the communications network to provide a more robust workstation power management tool using improved technologies for conducting security scans. 

"As complex as this program sounds, the only requirement is for computer users to click "restart" on their machines, pull their CAC and depart for home at the end of every duty day," said Maj Paul Griffin, Commander Detachment 3. "The software will do the rest." 

Last month, Detachment 3 reached significant milestones testing the new program on select workstations at Scott AFB. In February, the program plans to "push" this new capability to all Air Mobility Command bases. 

"I am excited about this tremendous improvement for our Air Force. It simultaneously improves our network security posture, saves precious energy resources and makes end of day/start of day processes standard for all users. I'm also extremely proud of the IT professionals from Det 3, 375th Communications Group, Air Force Communications Agency and AMC/A6 teaming to help blaze the trail for the Air Force," said Col. Brad Ashley, Director of Communications and Chief Information Officer, HQ Air Mobility Command. 

Air Force Network Operations is pushing every day to provide the most secure, state-of-the-art networks while reducing the overall impact on the global environment.
The effort to conserve energy is mandated by an executive order that all executive agencies reduce their energy consumption. The Air Force has already reduced use by three percent annually or 30 percent overall. By the end of 2015, the savings will amount to $15 million annually.