PASS Team Provides Remedy to Computer Virus
- Details
- Published: March 26, 2015
Last month, a debilitating computer virus affected more than 4,800 FAA employees’ laptops across the nation that are directly used to diagnose and repair National Airspace System (NAS) equipment. Due to the severity of the virus, the computers were taken completely offline, disabling employees from being able to access their emails and data off of the network. With no quick-fix solution in sight, all of the computers had to be removed for service and replaced completely.
In the ensuing state of confusion and urgency to get the employees back online, four PASS Chapter IM3 members and logistic management specialists at the Kansas City Staging Area worked alongside other logistics, IT and administrative personnel to resolve the problem. A close-knit group, Shawn Kerr, Jason Hasenohr, Brandon Hall and Bryan Robertson, worked seven 14-hour days through a holiday weekend to get the work done. Despite the physical exhaustion, the team coordinated with the regional office in order to manage the crisis through logistical support and assist in rectifying the situation swiftly.
Using a system set up through IT to integrate delivery information with FedEx, the four members were able to quickly determine where the new virus-free laptops needed to be sent. “The crew hustled to get several trucks loaded and unloaded by shuttling box after box with the proper labeling down hallways on pallets so all of the new laptops could be shipped directly to users on the ground,” said Kerr.
The virus was an incident that could have dragged on for weeks or longer; however, the quick response and professional dedication of Kerr, Hasenohr, Hall and Robertson allowed them to address the situation quickly and efficiently. These four members truly exhibited diligence and an impressive ability to maintain their composure during an unplanned event. They were able to effectively communicate with FAA employees, prevent the issue from developing any further and get all employees back to work with minimal overall impact. Thank you to the IM3 team for stepping up to the challenge!
Pictured (left to right): Bryan Robertson, Jason Hasenohr, Brandon Hall and Shawn Kerr.