In the world of DoD Information Assurance (IA) Online Training, there are many options available. DISA provides four IA online training programs that you must be aware about. On the Information Assurance Support Environment (IASE) page, DISA has an online training catalog which as many IA online training programs. Areas include Cybersecurity Awareness Training, Cybersecurity Technical Training, Cyber Law Awareness, and Cybersecurity Training for IT managers. The below are four DoD IA Online Training resources that you should check out!

Cyber Awareness Challenge (for Federal, DoD, and IC Personnel)

This is one IA online training that everyone knows about. This is part of your annual information awareness training, or your DoD Cyber Awareness training. In short, this is the IA training that we all know about. The latest version is 2.0, which was released in October of 2013. Expect a newer version out sometime this year!

Mission Assurance For Senior Leaders

This information assurance online training may not apply to all of our readers. This training is mainly for top-level executives and senior leaders who need a refresher in cyber security. The course will help improve senior leaders’ awareness of the seriousness of information and cyber security. The course also goes over the implications of not paying attention to cyber security. The course should take approximately 30 minutes. The target audience are Senior Leaders of organizations with government or government-authorized information systems (intended for use by Department of Defense and other U.S. Government personnel and contractors within the National Industrial Security Program)

DoD Authorizing Official (AO) Course

The next course is the DoD Authorizing Official (AO) course. Many of you may remember the term Designated Accrediting Authority (DAA). Back in February of 2012, this term was changed to Authorizing Official (AO), per the CJCSI 8410.12. This training will be for any senior official that is in an AO billet. The AO’s responsibility is ensure security requirements are integrated in the acquisition process and life cycle of ISs. This goal must be attained while satisfying the intended design or architecture, complying with selected security controls and safeguards, and managing security changes throughout the designated IS life cycle. This training will help AO’s perform their duties to the best of their abilities, while also providing up to date information on potential cyber security holes in DoD ISs.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

The last and final IA online training is the PII Training.  In this information age, there is tons of data floating around. In some cases, this data could be PII data. Some DoD workers and affiliates could be exposed to a person’s PII data at some point and this information MUST BE PROTECTED! The definition of PII is any information that  identifies, links, relates, is unique to, or describes the individual, such as name, SSN, date and place of birth, mother’s maiden name, biometric records, home phone numbers, other demographic, personnel, medical, and financial information, or any other PII which is linked or linkable to a specified individual. Non-PII can become PII when information is publicly available and when combined could
identify an individual. This training will assist you in your responsiblity with protecting PII, collecting PII, and what protective measures are needed to safeguard PII.