Protecting information is vital to success Published July 30, 2009 By Senior Airman Jamie Perry 911 AW/PA PITTSBURGH IAP ARS -- The U.S. Air Force is continually restructuring, and the latest addition is a newly-formed Information Protection Directorate. The directorate addresses information security issues concerning Air Force members and resources. It ensures priorities are being carried out to protect the information. Each Air Force installation now has a dedicated Information Protection office which is responsible for a variety of security programs. These function as a networking office for all information security matters. "We're moving toward better policies that protect and safeguard the information we use daily. These policies will also help dictate the ways and means we protect our personnel and resources," said Montell Ashby Sr., chief of Information Protection for the 911th Airlift Wing. He said some examples would include medical information, communications center information assurance, the Privacy Act and Freedon of Information Act. All matters relating to Information Protection will be reported to the Air Force's senior security official, the administrative assistant to the secretary of the Air Force, to help provide more oversight and training. "Today, information is the ultimate commodity and one of our most valued operational advantages," said Daniel A. McGarvey, director of the Air Force Information Protection Directorate. "We cannot leave information unprotected and expect it to not be exploited. We must assure information protection by making security a natural part of our thought processes and actions. We need to adapt to the concept that every Airman is a security officer and is responsible to safeguard information to protect the Air Force and the country," said Mr. McGarvey. For more information, contact Mr. Ashby at 412-474-8568.