Navy Region Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) continues to stay vigilant regarding cyber security throughout its expansive area of operations by educating personnel to be information-conscious and knowledgeable computer users.

Protection from cyber threats is a critical aspect of one of EURAFSWA's eight lines of operations -- security. By using the latest technology and procedures, Region EURAFSWA protects its information systems and data, the information contained within those systems from cyber attacks, which are deliberate attempts to obtain and exploit that information.

"The cyber security triad is known as 'CIA' -- confidentiality, integrity, and availability," said Julie Weinstein, information systems security manager with Navy Region EURAFSWA. "Confidentiality is who has access to the data, integrity is monitoring or controlling who can change the data, and availability is having the data available when needed by authorized users."

Regardless of where one works, cyber security is important, said Weinstein. Security is not only about protecting mission-critical information, but also protecting one's cyber identity. A person's cyber identity is comprised of information particularly attributed to himself or herself such as date of birth, social security number, and medical history. Most people have online identities, whether or not they are aware of it.

Cyber security is therefore a part of personal security, installation security, and force protection.

Cyber security involves more than just computer passwords and anti-virus tools. It is also about operational, physical, and personnel security, said Jessica Boldig, information systems security manager with the Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center in Naples, Italy.

"Cyber security has become so important because we no longer operate in a paper-based Navy," said Boldig. "Our information is now almost always stored and transmitted digitally. Furthermore, everything we use in the modern age can be or already is controlled by a computer, and is therefore vulnerable to malicious attack by our adversaries."

To ensure defense in the cyber domain, EURAFSWA Sailors and civilians need to take precautionary measures necessary to prevent unauthorized disclosures of information, added Boldig. Security also requires a certain level of information awareness.

"General precautions include knowing your computer and your information," said Weinstein. "Check email sources and double check website URLs before going to them. Make sure that your home computer is up-to-date on all patches and anti-viruses. At work, make sure that you are aware of the Department of the Navy's acceptable use policy."

The capability of the shore enterprise at Navy installations allows U.S. and allied forces in the region to maintain knowledgeable and information-aware computer users wherever and whenever they are needed. Cyber security is a key aspect of the security line of operation.

"Our adversaries are very clever and very patient," said Boldig. "For example, it only takes the metadata from one photo snapped from a smartphone and shared with friends while on deployment to give our adversaries important details about the location of our personnel."

Weinstein offers a few basic tips that ensure a heightened cyber security posture:

1. Ensure that all your annual cyber security training is up to date.

2. Stop and think before you open emails or click on hyperlinks. Verify the authenticity of the source.

3. Log off your workstation at night, reboot on a weekly basis to ensure all security patches can be properly applied.

4. Maintain awareness of your command's cyber security policies.

5. Open a dialogue with your Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM) and, when in doubt, ask questions.

Sailors and civilians are welcomed to voluntarily participate in any additional training offered through https://fedvte.usalearning.gov/, NKO, or IASE http://iase.disa.mil/Pages/index.aspx/.

A key line of operation for Region EURAFSWA is security. Security, along with the seven other lines of operations of air operations, port operations, safety, housing, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), Fleet and Fleet and Family services, and the core are what enable the installations to ensure U.S. and allied forces are able to conduct the full spectrum of operations throughout the region.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, visit http://www.navy.mil/.