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thedrifter
02-27-09, 07:58 AM
Proper Web site usage keeps networks safe
Lance Cpl. Bobby J. Yarbrough

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa (February 27, 2009) -- For most Marines, accessing a computer is as much a part of the job as firing an M-16A2 service rifle. For this reason, there are safeguards in place to ensure protection of military networks.

Since 2007, the Department of Defense blocked access to several Web sites including video sharing, social networking and music downloading sites.

According to the 2007 Department of Defense release, accessing these sites slows down official government work and poses a security risk to ongoing operations.

"Known malicious attacks on Marine Corps networks continue to increase at an alarming rate each year," said Master Sgt. William H. King, the information assurance manager for III Marine Expeditionary Force. "Computer networks are essential to our warfighting command and control capabilities, and ultimately, mission success. As such, our networks and III MEF users are increasingly being targeted by adversaries seeking to derogate those capabilities."

"The Marine Corps Network Operation and Security Command continually updates a list of unauthorized and known malicious Web sites in order to prevent users from accessing them," he added. "Frequent additions to the sites being blocked from access are necessary to counter an evolving group of hackers, scammers and adversaries standing up new sites daily."

Although certain Web sites are blocked, offices with a need to access these sites from government computers can request exceptions to the policy. Waivers needed to meet mission requirements may be submitted on a case-by-case basis and endorsed through the local Marine Corps Installation information assurance manager. The waiver is then forwarded to MCNOSC for approval.

"The defense of our networks cannot be protected by technical experts alone and therefore begins with operators at the keyboard, who are equivalent to the guards at the front gate of our installations," King said. "It is therefore imperative that end users remain vigilant to potential attacks and implement safe computing practices derived from continual network security awareness training."

For more information on blocked Web sites or for other network-related inquiries, personnel may contact Marine Corps Bases Japan G-6 at 645-4749 or their command information assurance manager.

Ellie