The control and security of information flow in an Army organization
Michael Jackson
CIS/207 - Information Systems Fundamentals
March 21, 2013
James Brown
The control and security of information flow in an Army organization
Information is the life blood of modern organizations. That is to say that without information, an organization is bound to collapse. Information is needed to control the day-to-day running of an organization. (Opara, 2003) Information entails data, facts, imaginations, ideas, opinions, cultural values in a variety of media which includes print, audio-visual materials and electronic processes. The dynamic aspect of information flow represents an important part of an organization, which focuses on transaction such as data to information, and information to knowledge. (Olowu, 2004) This means that data is necessary to produce information which in turn is necessary for creating knowledge that is conveyed via network, verbal, and paper communications.
The 35th Signal Brigade S-3 shop disseminate and control the information flow throughout the organization. I work in a secure building that house the 35th Signal Brigade Headquarter Company. We have the Command Group, S-2, S-3, S-4, and Automation sections in this building. The S-3 shop is where I work and we coordinate with higher headquarters on current orders and status of missions that the brigade soldiers are conducting on Fort Gordon and around the world. With emphasis place on the importance of all the missions going on around the world, there is a large amount of information that is exchanged on a daily basis.
Each section within an organization has a somewhat different informational need. The command group need information that summarizes overall conditions inside and outside the organization. The S-2, S-3, and S-4 need weekly or monthly reports to assess the progress of the units and identify areas of improvement. Supervisors, on the other hand, require day-to-day information about individual soldiers and the mission so they can keep their operations running smoothly. The information is sometimes classified and unclassified, therefore it is essential that we keep it secure at all times. In 35th Signal Brigade, the S-3 shop makes sure the information flows from superiors to subordinates in a chain of command type system. The S-3 shop plan, develop, write, and coordinates operation orders for missions to be used by supervisors to transmit work-related information to their soldiers. They need this information to perform their jobs and to meet the expectations of their supervisors. The information is transmitted to the supervisors and soldiers by computers, verbally, or written communications. Computers are used to transmit the majority of the information in the organization. Since computers are main way that information is being exchanged, there are some security measures that are done to keep information safe from unauthorized personnel.
Earlier I stated that, I work in a secure building. Therefore, you have to go through a background check by the S-2 security section to receive a security badge. Your level of clearance depend upon your background check. Every person that works in the building must have a security badge to enter the building. If you do not have a security badge you must be escorted by person with a badge throughout the building. There are no cell phones or media devices allowed to be carried in the building. You must turn in all cell phones and media devices to the front desk. However, you do receive your devices back when you leave the building. Along with your security badge, everyone has a Common Access Card (CAC). The CAC card is used to access controlled spaces and it provides access to computer networks and systems. The CAC card is the only way that you get on to a computer in the 35th