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Technology Requirements

  • Published
  • Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL

Technology Requirements

US students attending ACSC must bring their own personal computing device. International Officers are not required to bring their own device, but they may bring a personal device if it meets the required criteria.  If necessary, international officers will be issued a US government computer for their use while a student at ACSC. Each user is responsible for the maintenance and repair of their own personal computing device. Government “loaner” laptops are available on a limited basis for temporary use if a student experiences a catastrophic computer failure. ACSC recommends against the use of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) from any outside agency, as these devices may experience compatibility issues that cannot be resolved. Personal computing devices must meet the following standards:

HARDWARE (Do NOT bring a desktop style computer for use in the seminar rooms) 
• Laptop or notebook with a physical keyboard, due to extensive curriculum writing requirements.
• 802.11ac or 802.11n capable wireless card
• CAC reader
 
OPERATING SYSTEM 
  • Students may bring Windows-based or Mac devices. All devices must be running a fully licensed and activated version of the operating system. Additionally, all operating systems must have the latest security patches applied. 
  • For Windows devices:  Windows 10 or higher
  • For Mac devices: OS X 10.13.3 (High Sierra) or higher
  •  
WEB BROWSER 
• Modern web browser with the ability to run web-based applications (e.g., current version of edge, firefox, chrome or safari).
 
OTHER SOFTWARE
• Adobe Acrobat Reader or other software capable of viewing PDF files
• Office suite capable of processing Microsoft Office file formats [Word, PowerPoint, Excel] 
• Up-to-date anti-virus protection
 
CERTIFICATION/COMPUTER-BASED TRAINING
• An annual certificate of completion for the DoD Cyber Awareness Challenge that covers the entire academic year until graduation
 

ACSC BYOD IT Checklist:

Enabling your computer to authenticate to DoD websites

Visit Public key Infrastructure/Enabling (PKI/PKE) to configure systems to access PKI-protected content.

• Select Windows and execute steps 1, 2*, 3, 4 
NOTE: Windows 10 & 11 users DO NOT need to execute step 2

AF Webmail Access

https://webmail.apps.mil/

Work Email: Required to check once weekly

Set up signature block in OWA 

  • Once signed into OWA click on the setting’s “gear” icon in the upper right corner 
  • Select Options from the drop-down menu 
  • On the left-hand side under Mail>Layout>Email signature you will find a location for entering a signature block
  • Check both boxes to include the signature on new and reply/forward messages
  • Use the template below with your name. Add any other (Flight/Division Academic/ Athletic/IT Rep, MDOS, Fellow, etc.) on the line below ACSC Student

FIRST M. LAST, Maj, USAF

Student, ACSC AY21

(Additional titles)

  • Finally click the “Save” icon and then click the “<-“ icon in the upper left to return to the main OWA screen. 

Obtaining a virtual NIPR terminal via Desktop Anywhere 

1. Desktop Anywhere is a service that allows users to access a virtual NIPR desktop from your personal computer. It works on both Mac and Windows computers. Desktop Anywhere provides access to the full suite of AFNet applications, allowing users to send and receive encrypted email, digitally sign documents, and access SharePoint and shared drive locations as if they were operating from a .mil computer. 
▪ On your personal computer, search for “Desktop Anywhere” on AF Portal (or go to the link below):

 https://www.my.af.mil/gcss-af/USAF/content/ZAHkU

▪ Open and follow the instructions located in the “Attachments” column on the right side of the page for your system (Windows or Mac).