Directorate of Information

Attention, everyone. On 15 April 2010, the Directorate of Information Management will disable all CD/DVD ROM drives and all USB ports; this is a Department of the Army mandate. All Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians have until 30 March 2010 to copy and remove all files that may be too large to email to themselves from their government accessed computers. After 15 April you will not be able to recover these large files via a personal data stick, hard disk drive, or CD ROM drive. The only authorized data sticks that may be used after this deadline are government issued secure pen drives. Government issued secured pen drives will be issued through your local IT department. The government issued pen drives or hard drives are the only external data backup platforms that are authorized for use after the deadline.

With the world wide threat of viruses, spy ware, and other data retrieving threats the U.S. government has to protect not only authorized users but information vital to the Army's mission. The use of personal software is against the user agreement that all Government computer users signed prior to receiving their accounts. The Directorate of Information Management will sweep all computers linked into the local area network of all installations to ensure compliance. Use of unauthorized software, installing any unauthorized software, or use of any data collecting device, to include, iPods, mp3 devices or data disk (CD's) is strongly discouraged and is punishable under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The Directorate of Information Management and local IT managers are responsible for enforcing command policy as well as U.S. Government policies to protect government systems from potential threats.

At the close of business, 30 March 2010, all computers must be powered down and restarted in order to update all systems with new anti-virus software updates. Anticipate slow or near shutdown of all email traffic at this time due to updates to the system. This command expects all government computer users to cooperate and assist in enforcing this new policy. Not only will it protect our systems, it protects your personal information from getting in the wrong hands. If there are any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please feel free to contact your local IT manager. Thank you

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In the fast moving world of information technology it is easy to see why the United States government would want to regulate what is downloaded to and from their systems. Although backing up personal files may be important, securing our country's future is just as important. Government systems are used 24 hours a day all around the world and information specialist battle an unseen threat constantly. While I was on leave the U.S. government initiated this new policy. Unfortunately,