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CAC soon required to access AMC network

  • Published
  • By Kevin Nettrour
  • Air Mobility Command Public Key Infrastructure
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Beginning Sept. 15, use of the Common Access Card for network access will be mandatory for most people in Air Mobility Command.

Currently, you are able to unlock your computer with user name and password - even if you logged on to your computer with your CAC. This will no longer be possible since setting an account to require use of the CAC resets the password to a random and unknown value. In the future, you will use your CAC to access or log on to the network and unlock your computer. Passwords, which are extremely vulnerable to exploitation by hackers, saboteurs, and terrorists, are becoming a thing of the past.

Some people use services that rely on the user name and password associated with the network account to grant access. Such services include web mail using Outlook Web Access and other means of remote access to the AMC network. Setting these accounts to require CAC logon and randomizing the associated password causes denial of access to such services. Client Support Administrators and other computer support personnel are polling users to ensure there won't be a loss of critical services. These accounts will not be set to require CAC logon until such services are CAC-enabled.

Although an account is not set to require CAC use, most AMC accounts have been CAC-enabled, meaning the CAC can be used for network access. All AMC network users who have CACs should use the CAC for network access, even if not required to do so.

People who will not be required to logon using the CAC will have to maintain their user name and password. Recently, password guidance has changed to make passwords more resistant to being guessed by people who want to compromise our network's integrity. New passwords must be a minimum of nine characters in length with at least two lowercase letters, two uppercase letters, two numbers and two special characters. Passwords will be valid for 60 days.

Mandatory use of the CAC increases the chance of forgetting the CAC in the card reader. It is the CAC holder's responsibility to protect and keep control of their CAC. After logon or unlocking your computer, your CAC doesn't need to be in the card reader and can be put away. When leaving the work area, users must be sure the CAC is not left unattended and they have screen-locked their computer.

Using the CAC to ensure only authorized users access our networks and systems greatly increases the security of our systems and the information we use to execute AMC's worldwide mission.