Ibmg Electronic Key Management System Essay

Obsolete USCG Electronic Key Management System (EKMS) Training
U.S Coast Guard (USCG) Commanding Officers are getting relieved of command. A contributing factor is that USCG enlisted Electronic Key Management System (EKMS) managers are receiving inadequate training prior to their assumption of account manager duties. Non-resident training teaches out of date policy. In addition, the lack of a required Job Qualification requirement (JQR) and/or on the job (OTJ) training prior to appointment has further hindered managers from being ready to assume duties. Moreover, insufficient training has caused increased Communication Security (COMSEC) incidents and Practices Dangerous to Security (PDSs) leading to possible compromise. The first part of the problem is non-resident training.
USCG enlisted EKMS Managers do not obtain the baseline knowledge required to assume duties as an account manager through non-resident training. Current non-resident training teaches from the EKMS 1A; a publication that has been superseded since 2010. Since the EKMS1A has been superseded there have been nine amendments to current policy; changing policy every six months. Additionally, curriculum focuses on
utilization of the data transfer device (DTD, ANCYZ-10C) which is not in service in USCG Accounts (“EKMS Course Task List 5.12-5.57). The DTD was replaced by the Simple Key Loader (SKL, ANPYQ-10C) in 2010 and is no longer utilized. Lastly, prospective managers are not required to attend school prior to designation. Current policy allows primary managers to be designated for up to 90 days and alternate managers up to 180 days before attending school (“EKMS Policy and Procedure” Art 412). The same policy requires completion of a JQR in lieu of school however this is not a requirement for USCG accounts (“EKMS Policy and Procedure” Art 412). Adequate non-resident training is important but having a sufficient OTJ training program is equally as important.
The EKMS OTJ training program is insufficient. In my experience, new account managers often relieve outgoing managers and never receive the OTJ necessary to be able to manage an account. The Navy requires its account managers to complete a JQR in addition to non-resident training prior to appointment however the USCG has no such requirement (“EKMS Policy and Procedure” Art 412). Secondly, Operation Specialist (OS) is the only rating currently staffed for EKMS account management functions but members in that role do not receive sufficient training through Rating Performance Qualifications (RPQs) to prepared them for account management. According to the “OS1, OS2, and OS3 RPQs”, OSs should be able to destroy and receive EKMS material as well as conduct EKMS Self Inspections. These RPQs only align with Local Element duties therefore training provided does not adequately prepare members for account management positions. Lastly, after assumption of duties EKMS Managers receive no additional training from the higher tiered accounts besides while being inspected however managers are expected to provide training on a monthly basis to their Local Elements (“EKMS Policy and Procedure” Art 455). Deficient training at the OTJ level has established a trend of increasing COMSEC incidents and PDSs.
Inadequate training has contributed to increasing amounts of COMSEC incidents and PDSs.
According to the “2016 EKMS Town Hall brief”, COMSEC Incidents and PDSs have increased 130% over the last three years (2). It is undoubtful that this large influx of incidents and PDSs are contributed by improper account maintenance produced from inadequate training. In my experience a solid training program can prevent many of the issues arising such as late destruction, unauthorized access, and reoccurring maintenance tasks. Moreover, the increase in the amount of incident and PDSs led has led to the potential for our enemies to compromise our communications systems and disrupt future operations. Overall, the increase of COMSEC Incidents and PDSs reflects that the current EKMS training program in
obsolete.
The current training in place is insufficient to prepare USCG enlisted EKMS managers for account management duties. The EKMS course of instruction is teaching outdated policies and procedures. Additionally, there is no formal OTJ qualification standard or current OS RPQ which prepares members for manager duties. Lastly, insufficent training has contributed to a large influx of COMSEC incidents and PDSs, increasing the risk of compromise to our enemies and causing Commanding Officers to be relieved. The Coast Guard must revise EKMS school curriculum, institute mandatory completion of the associated NAVEDTRA JQR, and revise the OS RPQs to adequately prepare managers to assume duties and reduce to risk of compromise.