Air Force officials restrict Portal access beginning Jan. 15 Published Jan. 13, 2010 WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Global Combat Support System-Air Force computer officials will begin restricting access to the Air Force Portal to only users with a common access card or valid public key infrastructure certificate Jan. 15. Air Force Knowledge Now began restricting access to CAC/ PKI users Jan. 1, and Air Force Personnel Center officials will begin restricting access to only CAC/PKI users Jan. 28. "Air Force Portal, AFKN, and AFPC Secure users are encouraged to obtain a CAC reader or PKI certificate now to ensure future access," said Maj. Kevin Johnson, the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer. This PKI/CAC restriction will impact regular off-base users such as Air National Guard, reservists, Department of Defense contractors and other home users, the major added. "GCSS-AF and AFKN are committed to supporting the warfighter while meeting Air Force and DOD PKI/public key encryption mandates," Major Johnson said. The major said there are benefits of CAC/PKI restriction for both the user and Air Force. Members will receive secure worldwide access to information and applications with better security of their account identity, with fewer usernames and passwords to maintain. The Air Force benefits from easier user account administration by using the CAC/PKI as the method of self-registration and maintenance, Major Johnson added. "More importantly, the Air Force achieves a greater information assurance posture, thereby reducing the overall risk to data, networks and mission systems," Major Johnson said.