New Security+ certification course offered at Keesler AFB

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A new course to provide Security+ certification to cyberspace support Airmen prior to air expeditionary force deployments began March 21 here.

The course is currently programmed to train 1,297 students annually in Keesler AFB's 336th Training Squadron.

Last December, during a training advisory meeting with chief master sergeants from across the Air Force, Secretary of the Air Force officials asked members from the 336th TRS to implement the new course. The course supports Department of Defense Directive 8570 that specifies that anyone touching the network must be certified.

Within two months of the short-notice request, the 336th TRS, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Brian Worth, commander, launched the new 8570 certification course.

This seven-day course Security+ certification in knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of an information assurance technician when managing and operating the Air Force network, course officials said.

Course attendance is open to officers, enlisted and civilian personnel, the officials said. Those requiring training for an AEF deployment or as part of a 6K communications and electronics unit task code have priority. Remaining seats are open to all personnel who require 8570 as part of their job.

The scope of training includes systems security, network infrastructure, access controls, assessments and audits, cryptography and organizational security, officials said. A commercial certification exam, CompTIA Security+, is administered at the end of the course.

The course covers both information assurance technician II and information assurance manager I requirements and satisfies the requirement for information assurance technician I certification, since higher-level certifications qualify for lower-level requirements, officials said.

For more information, go to the Education and Training Course Announcements website at https://www.my.af.mil/etca/default1.asp.

(Courtesy of the 81st Training Group Public Affairs)