MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- 
The 299th Network Operations Squadron demonstrated remarkable resilience and success in their recent Cyber Operations Readiness Assessment inspection at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, April 1-12, 2024.
The 299th NOS is assigned to the Kansas Air National Guard’s 184th Wing. It’s one of three network operations squadrons in the U.S. Air Force, and the only one in the Air National Guard. The 299th NOS provides network capabilities to every unit in the ANG across 54 states and U.S. territories.
The CORA inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of an organization’s culture and attitude toward cybersecurity. This Department of Defense-led formal inspection is a critical measure of accountability and security posture for DoD information networks. Such inspections are usually conducted every three to five years.
“It scrutinizes the day-to-day operations and aligns them with DoD standards, focusing on areas where vulnerabilities are most likely to occur,” said Lt. Col. Jeremy Cook, 299th NOS commander. “The stakes were high, as the results would significantly impact our future mission existence.”
Recently, the DoD implemented a major revamp of its cyber readiness tests, transitioning from the Command Cyber Readiness Inspection to the CORA. The goal of this change is to move from a compliance-focused checklist mentality to a more mission-oriented, risk management approach.
“The new process is designed to be less adversarial and more helpful,” said Cook, “assisting commanders in understanding how cyber risks affect their missions.”
To implement this new approach, approximately 152 personnel assigned to the 299th NOS shifted their focus to a more aggressive patching schedule, replaced outdated equipment, bolstered endpoint and application security, and transformed their mindset from merely meeting a baseline obligation to striving for a commitment to operational excellence.
The results showed in the inspectors’ findings, highlighted by their remarks on several key achievements: “Best network seen,” “No vulnerability findings on phone systems,” “98% access rate on first vulnerability scan,” “Best traditional security program in 10 years,” and “Paperwork phenomenal.”
“The 299th NOS Airmen completed an incredibly in-depth two-week inspection,” said Col. Joseph Deeds, deputy commander, 184th Wing. “I’m so proud of the leadership and their team. However, the hard work continues. As Lieutenant Colonel Cook said, ‘It’s time to move forward and focus on the pacing threat.’”