Kaiserslautern American, Jan. 16, 2015

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HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?

January 16, 2015

Volume 39, number 2

AF government travel cards receive tech upgrade by Air Force Public Affairs Agency Operating Location-P WASHINGTON — Beginning this month, Citibank is issuing chip and PIN-enabled government travel cards to new card applicants, individuals whose cards will expire in 2015, and individuals who have reported lost or stolen cards. This is the first phase in a multi-phased rollout that will enhance the security and convenience of government travel and pay systems. The new cards are embedded with a microchip that provides for transaction encryption and an elevated level of authentication. Chip and PIN technology strengthens data security, better protecting cardholders’ personally identifiable information, as well as the government’s sensitive transaction and payment data. “The cards are yet another tool to combat potential fraud,” said Eric Cuebas, director of Air Force financial services. “By working together with chipenabled terminals, they ensure a more secure transaction by validating both the card and cardholder. Additionally, Citi’s chip and PIN cards do not use radio frequency functionality and are strictly contact-only cards. Therefore, they are not susceptible to the skimming issue encountered by radio frequency identification cards.” All cardholders should log into CitiManager and review mailing and email addresses and contact information under “My Card Account/Card

Air Force file photo

Individuals whose government travel card expires in 2015 or has been reported lost or stolen will receive a new card with upgraded technology that will enhance the security and convenience of government travel and pay systems.

Maintenance.” The cardholder can also review their information using the account listing report in Citibank’s custom reporting system. “This new card change should have minimal impact on Airmen,” Cuebas said. “If the current

card will expire while TDY, the traveler should update the address at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the current GTC to ensure delivery of See GTC, Page 2

Ramstein to implement mandatory reboot by Airman 1st Class Michael Stuart 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

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he 86th Communications Squadron will push an update to all government computers on Ramstein, forcing them to reboot every 72 hours starting Monday. The update is part of an Air Forcewide initiative to improve communication security. “The purpose of the reboot is to

improve patching and ensure the latest software and updates are disseminated throughout the base,” said 2nd Lt. Kyle Massey, 86th CS focal point officer in charge. Software updates are important, because they provide users with security and increase the integrity of the system. With the reboot, the latest programs and applications will be upto-date every few days. Sometimes developers find errors or holes in programs and applications, forcing them to update the program to protect the

user from malicious network behavior. “Let’s say you get some software and the developers decide there’s something wrong or some way could be exploited in a way an adversary could take advantage of, possibly hacking into your computer,” Massey said. “If we didn’t have the 72-hour reboot, we’d have to manually ensure everyone’s computers are updated all the time and are operating with secure software.” Massey recommends NIPR users reboot their computers during the day, so they have a chance to save their

LIFESTYLES

NEWS

Make sure you have a first aid kit, reflective safety vest and warning triangle in your vehicle in case of an accident or breakdown.

NEWS

Tip of the Week 21st TSC opens new SHARP center on Sembach, Page 3

work. If a computer is about to reboot, it will give the user a 90-minute window to save any work before the system automatically reboots, potentially causing data loss. Not only does the automatic reboot update programs and applications, it will also save the 86th CS time, ultimately allowing Airmen to focus on other parts of the mission. “It makes things more automated and makes it easier for the communications squadron to do their job,” Massey said.

Army Reserve Soldiers react to roadside bombs, Page 13

Freinsheim offers red wine hike, Page 15


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