Earlier this year, the updated Cyber Awareness Challenge (CAC) Version 3 (V3) was included in the list of required training for all service members. In our current technological age, the constant threat of cyber hacking is an everyday occurrence, which makes the effort to combat those hazards a top priority.

In Navy Region Singapore, it is crucial to remain on alert for cyber security risks. The Cyber Awareness Challenge encourages service members and Department of Defense employees to remain aware of what they can personally do to guard against cyber attacks. The course contains information in categories ranging from identity management to protecting classified data in a scenario based learning structure. The goal is to apply more critical thinking into every day practices to help guard against potential cyber threats.

"Cyber awareness is a pivotal element of training when discussing methods of protecting personnel and information security," said Lt. Larron White, security officer assigned to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific. "It's everyone's responsibility to understand, follow and enforce the Navy's policy on cyber awareness in all environments from threats and vulnerabilities while working within the Department of Defense computer systems."

The training scenario is shown from a first-person perspective in an office setting that may be familiar to DoD employees throughout the fleet. Throughout the training, questions must be answered concerning seemingly small situations service members find themselves in every day, but each decision can have a positive or negative outcome and a scoreboard keeps track of how well the training is progressing. Too many damaging decisions made can result in failure of the course and a complete restart until a high enough score is reached.

"The cyber awareness training provides a working knowledge of personal identity protection and the protection of sensitive materials," said White. "Maintaining situational awareness and promoting the overall protection of all DoD personnel and assets is the long term goal for annual cyber awareness training."

The cyber threat reaches beyond traditional information technology (IT) networks and computers to systems that affect nearly every aspect of the Navy's mission. To protect against these threats the Navy has made significant changes including how systems are organized and how service members are trained in protecting them through cybersecurity awareness. Many training courses are required to be completed multiple times a year and are upheld by command security officers and departmental training representatives.

The Cyber Awareness Challenge (CAC) Version 3 (V3) can be located on Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) under the code number DOD-IAA-V13.0 through the course catalog.

The Navy continues to strengthen its cyber posture as the world moves into a technological age, but the first and strongest defense in the fight against cyber attacks are the service members and DoD employees operating in each command. With the right knowledge and training, anyone can help in the fight to keep our systems safe and our information secure.

For more news from Commander, Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/.