News

Base nominated to develop AF insider threat program

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Robins has been nominated as a future test wing candidate for the development of the Air Force's insider threat program. 

Still in its early stages, preparation is underway for a spring visit here by members of Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute, under contract by the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, to gather information to help develop the program.

"The insider threat program is about being proactive versus reactive," said Angela Vasser, the installation's Information Protection chief, and a member of the Air Force's Insider Threat Working Group. "An insider threat can be anything from unauthorized disclosures of national security information to workplace violence."

The program under development seeks to learn more about existing policies, procedures and activities, such as those in place at Robins, in order to prevent and mitigate harm, according to Vasser. 

For example, one program in place is the Continuous Evaluation Program which establishes a chain of communication in order to highlight any security concerns should an individual be flagged for any potentially disqualifying information. 

"It's all about having an information-sharing platform," she said. "The intent is to help develop what the Air Force insider threat program is going to look like and how existing processes can be leveraged." "By having this site visit, Robins will be able to provide information so that data can be used to develop an (Air Force-wide) implementation plan," she added.

Insider threats are when someone on the inside uses authorized access to do harm to the security of the Air Force and U.S. That threat can include damage through such things as espionage, terrorism or loss or degradation of departmental resources or capabilities.    

           Protecting national security remains a high priority across the Defense Department due to several high-profile incidents in the past. 

Those included the 2009 shootings at Fort Hood, Texas; the 2010 leaks of classified military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks by Army Pfc. Bradley Manning; and National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, who stole highly-sensitive, classified intelligence information in 2013.