INFOCON Change alters Vance network operations Published Dec. 13, 2006 71st Communications Squadron Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Due to a recent Information Condition level change, the Vance Air Force Base Network Control Center implemented several computer network security procedures to coincide with the INFOCON change.The most noticeable change to Vance users is the Vance Outlook Web Access server was turned off. While Outlook Web Access provides the ability to view and answer e-mail from any location, it comes at a very high security price. The Air Force determined that Outlook Web Access without a Common Access Card posed too large of a risk versus the operational impact to network users. To make sure the base's network and e-mail are as secure as possible, the Air Force Network Operations commander determined that Outlook Web Access will be shut down until the availability of a technical solution that provides a secure connection. The expected technical solution is Outlook Web Access only through a Common Access Card-enabled government laptop, with a tentative implementation date of Jan. 31. While this task has the most impact on users from the recent INFOCON level change, here are some other tasks that have been implemented: Users must not use the same password on different level classification networks User's password must be a minimum 9 characters with 2 uppercase, 2 lowercase, 2 numbers and 2 special characters All Client Support Administrators must have their identity verified in person Re-verify all accounts that are not Common Access Card only login.