The US Air Force is
shutting down internet connections at bases which show they
can't be trusted with enforcing network security.
Last year, the US military
banned the use of USB drives and removable media to plug a worm
assault.
Now, the Air Force has shut down its staff's web connection at a
base in response to slack network security. More bases could be cut
off if they don't improve.
Web access has been cut off at Maxwell Air Force Base in
Alabama. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz told
InsideDefense.com:
"Personnel hadn't demonstrated - in our view at the headquarters -
their capacity to manage their network in a way that didn't make
everyone else vulnerable."
Norton Schwartz said: "This is the kind of effort that's
required up and down the line."
Schwartz said the internet shutdown at the Alabama base was in
response to a specific, significant intrusion. He said it had
threatened the entire service's networks.
On network security, Schwartz told personnel: "This is not
voluntary, this is the real deal, we have standards, and we will
collectively enforce those standards or you won't be on the
net."
Service personnel are already banned from
blogs,
YouTube,
and social networking websites.