Common access card requirement

  • Published
  • By 16th Communications Squadron
  • 16th CS
The 16th Communications Squadron is in full force implementing smart card logon for all users at Hurlburt Field by Monday.

"This Department of Defense mandated program will help lock down our networks,” said Lt. Col Mike Hammond, 16th Communications Squadron commander.

“Through this process, all users are positively identified and validated before they access any information on a military network from a government computer. The ultimate aim is to protect our networks and the sensitive information that resides on them."

SCL is an easy process that re-quires you log on using your common access card and personal identification number combination instead of the user name and password combination currently in place. Every user already has the required CAC reader and software installed on their workstation and if they encounter any problems with SCL they should contact their unit client support administrator.

"CSAs across the base have been extremely crucial in helping prepare for SCL,” said 2nd Lt. David Ritter, 16th CS Network Control Center officer in charge. “Thanks to their hard work we are more than ready to implement SCL base wide on Monday." Currently, SCL will not work with certain Air Force systems.

One of the challenges with this implementation is that accessing Outlook Web Access off-station will no longer be available for the majority of the base population. The DOD is currently working with Microsoft to come up with a solution for this incompatibility.

"This is one of the unfortunate effects of ensuring maximum network security," said Lieutenant Ritter.

"Sometimes people don't realize these threats exist, however, I'm here to tell you, our networks are infiltrated and attacked by everyone from cyber-thieves to terrorist organizations on a daily basis," Colonel Hammond said.

"Implementing SCL along with other measures helps protect our military data.
Users who do not have a functional smart card reader should contact their CSA. Users who need to reset their PIN will need to go to the military personnel flight customer service.