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Newest Common Access Cards go into effect at Barksdale

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt Isaac Garden
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  With the number of electronic security threats reaching an all-time high, the U.S. military has taken its own measures to enhance physical access to facilities and ensure networks are not compromised.

Since 2001, the U.S. Air Force has been using the white Common Access Card, which replaced the green Active Duty and the red Guard/Reserve identification cards many service members may still remember. Beginning in February 2011, a new CAC has been issued that everyone will have to obtain in order to remain on government networks.

"CACs are strictly controlled and have gone through numerous upgrades over the years," said Nathaniel Waters, Military Personnel Section site manager. "Most improvements have been in digital storage and enhanced encryption techniques. The latest iteration provides 2048-bit encryption versus the older 1024-bit encryption."

Encryption is a method used to block unauthorized individuals from accessing information contained on the card, keep prying eyes from hacking government networks and deny unauthorized access to DoD facilities.

Not everyone will be affected by this change in security, only Air Force members who were issued cards from the older bunch will need to have cards re-issued.

"If you look at the back of your card, you will find a series of letters and numbers printed across the top of the card. If the first set of numbers begin with 72 or 64, then your card will need to be re-issued. If the numbers begin with 144 or 128, then no action is required," Waters said.

The deadline to have the new card is Oct. 1, 2012. Without the new CAC, people will not be able to access the network. The mission of the 2nd Bomb Wing will be severely degraded as members will not have access to emails or Air Force networks, and it may even bar you from getting into your own workplace.

"To obtain a new identification card, members can come to the customer service desk at the Military Personnel Section ce, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.," said Shirley Creagh, customer service team lead.

Walk-ins are welcomed, and customers must have two valid forms of government-issued identification in order to obtain a new CAC.

Whether you are fighting the good fight on the home front or deployed abroad, if your card does not meet the aforementioned criteria, you may need to get a new CAC, so you're not left behind.