68th IOS: Keeping base information safe Published Aug. 7, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Kristina Newton Public Affairs Hurlburt Field, FL -- Little red stickers and pop-up notices constantly inform personnel all phone calls and computer use on military installations are subject to monitoring. But do people ever wonder exactly who is monitoring them and why? This is where the 68th Information Operations Squadron makes their mark. The Electronic Systems Security Assessment Center is responsible for monitoring non-secure telephone and computer systems on base to make sure information is being passed properly and to the right people. They do this in direct support of headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command. These specialized defensive counter-information services are used to evaluate how well active-duty military members and civilian personnel are adhering to communications security and operations security guidelines. The ESSAC monitors an organization's non-secure electronic systems usage over a period of time and furnishes a report to the commander of how much sensitive information was released and how an adversary might use that information against U.S. forces. "Our main purpose is to inform people on the correct use of telephone and computer systems," said Master Sgt. Jason Sands, 68th IOS superintendent. "We do this for all AFSOC units in the U.S. and overseas." The men and women of the 68th IOS handle all types of issues for AFSOC and can be deployed anywhere special operations forces are stationed. "We can do a lot with new technology available to us," Sergeant Sands said. "With the new equipment we have we can deploy one man to do the job of six." The ESSAC also has the capability to monitor wireless communications to cover a broad spectrum of possible information loss. "Operations security is vital to the protection of operational information and personnel," said Maj. Ty Gilbert, 68th IOS director of operations. "We go to great lengths to identify sensitive information that has become available in unclassified communications. "It is our goal to ensure the organizations receiving electronic systems security assessment support review our products and understand they may be operating in a compromised environment," he said. "Hopefully they will consider the implications and improve their practices." The 68th IOS was activated in June 2006 as a detachment unit of the 68th IOS at Brooks City-Base, San Antonio. The unit was originally a shop of eight personnel belonging to the 25th IOS. It has grown to a staff of 22 people.