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Scott IT experts improve network security, save money

  • Published
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- --  At first it may sound like a contradiction: leave computers on at night to save the Air Force money. But that is exactly what Scott computer users, and soon users across Air Mobility Command and the Air Force, are being asked to do.

Users will be asked to restart their computers at the end of the day and turn off only monitors and peripherals. The computers will be powered on but will automatically go into a "sleep mode" - the lowest power setting. Then, by using a new technology called Wake-on-LAN, communications administrators will be able to "wake up" workstations as required for critical security, system updates or vulnerability patches.

It's little wonder the Air Force is seeking ways to reduce energy use. The DoD is the largest energy consumer in the U.S., racking up an energy bill of $13.6 billion last year, up from $10.9 billion the year before.

Scott's 561st Network Operations Squadron, Det. 3, representing Air Force Network Operations, is fielding a two-step Power Management program to conserve energy, lower costs and reduce impact on the environment. The goal is to have both steps fully implemented Air Force-wide by April.

The first step consists of configuring every workstation and monitor to enter a "standby" or "sleep" mode after a period of inactivity using the Environmental Protection Agency's "Easy Group Policy Objects" software. This software also provides the ability to wake up workstations for system updates and security patches.

The second step will be an upgrade to the communications network to provide a more robust workstation power management tool using improved technologies for conducting security scans.

"As complex as this program sounds, the only requirement is for computer users to click 'restart' on their machines, pull their (common access card) and depart for home at the end of every duty day," said Maj. Paul Griffin, Det. 3 commander. "The software will do the rest."

Last month, Det. 3 reached significant milestones testing the new program on select workstations at Scott AFB. In February, the program plans to push this new capability to all AMC bases.

"I am excited about this tremendous improvement for our Air Force," said Col. Brad Ashley, AMC director of communications and chief information officer. "It simultaneously improves our network security posture, saves precious energy resources and makes end of day and start of day processes standard for all users."

Air Force Network Operations is working every day to provide the most secure, state-of-the-art networks while reducing the overall impact on the global environment.
The effort to conserve energy is mandated by an executive order that all executive agencies reduce their energy consumption.

The Air Force has already reduced use by three percent annually or 30 percent overall. By the end of 2015, the savings will amount to $15 million annually.