An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Thumb drives/flash media still prohibited on AF network

  • Published
  • By 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
  • 375th AMW
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The ban on use of flash media, or thumb drives, on Air Force networks is still in place.
On Feb. 12, U.S, Strategic Command issued an order allowing limited use of removable flash media devices under very specific circumstances and "according to service guidelines." Consistent with this order, the Air Force has decided to continue its service-wide ban on flash media devices until Air Force specific guidelines and procedures are determined.

Recently, media outlets have picked up on the change in policy and have communicated false or misleading information.

"Scott users may be under the impression that this change allows them to use flash media devices like thumb drives," said Tech. Sgt. Turincs, 375th AMW wing staff security manager. "However, at this time no Air Force network is compliant with the Certificate-to-Operate which reinstates the use of flash media. Scott network users are not authorized to connect any flash media devices to computer systems that are connected to the network."

The Department of Defense banned flash media devices over a year ago because of network threats, said Maj. Gen. Michael Basla, Air Force Space Command vice commander.

"These threats have not disappeared," he said. "There are a number of military and government agencies working to mitigate these threats. The Air Force will be a partner in these mitigation strategies as we work to allow the limited use of flash media for mission essential requirements.

"This will not be a return to 'business as usual'," said General Basla. "There will be strict limitations on using flash media devices when the Air Force returns to limited access and use. These limitations will be vital to our cyber security."

Headquarters AFSPC is the Air Force Designated Approval Authority for the Air Force Network. In this capacity, AFSPC is responsible for the policies, procedures and approval of flash media devices. According to Lt. Col. Donovan Routsis, AFSPC Net-Centricity division deputy chief, the staff is working with the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, the Air Force Network Integration Center and 24th Air Force to develop the policy and processes to allow use of the devices under carefully controlled circumstances.

"What we do not want is Airmen thinking they can go out and buy a thumb drive or USB or any flash media device and start using it," Colonel Routsis said. "In all reality, even when a policy is in place, that will still not be permissible. The use of any flash media device will only be authorized for mission-critical requirements and will be strictly managed."

"We are currently conducting research in order to provide for the Air Force's safe return of flash media devices," General Basla said. "Relentless adversaries continuously attempt to infiltrate our networks and systems trying to steal, compromise, degrade or destroy information, disrupt networks or communications, or deny service - so we must take all precautions to ensure we, as Cyber Wingmen, protect our networks at all cost."