The Department of Defense (DoD) is responsible for protecting the United States and its citizens both at home and abroad. As part of this mission, the DoD has instituted a series of regulations known as DFARS which are aimed at ensuring that defense contractors maintain a high level of cybersecurity.
If your company does business with the DoD, it’s important to understand DFARS compliance requirements and take steps to ensure that your systems are protected.
What Is DFARS?
DFARS is the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. It’s a set of regulations that govern how defense contractors do business with the Department of Defense (DoD). DFARS compliance is mandatory for all companies that want to do business with the DoD. If you’re a defense contractor, you need to make sure your company is compliant with DFARS to avoid penalties.
What Are the DFARS Requirements?
The DFARS requirements are divided into two parts: technical requirements and administrative requirements.
- Technical Requirements: The technical requirements are the standards that your products and services must meet in order to be used by the DoD. The technical requirements cover topics such as cybersecurity, quality assurance, and product standards.
- Administrative Requirements: The administrative requirements are the rules that you need to follow in order to do business with the DoD. The administrative requirements cover topics such as registration, licensing, and bonding.
What Does It Mean to Be DFARS Compliant?
Being DFARS compliant means a company meets the requirements set forth in the DFARS regulations, in accordance with NIST SP 800-171. Additionally, to remain compliant, it’s required to implement all updates and revisions that are added to the regulation. Companies who fail to follow or meet all requirements will forfeit compliance status.
Companies That Are Required to Comply with DFARS
Any company that works with the DoD is required to comply with DFARS. This includes companies that
- Manufacture products or services for the DoD
- Provide supplies or services to the DoD
- Repair or maintain equipment for the DoD
- Transport goods or people for the DoD
Benefits from Ensuring DFARS Compliance
There are many benefits for companies who implement compliance and strengthen cybersecurity. Some of the most significant benefits include:
- Increased Protection from Cyber Attacks: Meeting the technical requirements set forth in the DFARS guidelines helps ensure that your company is taking the necessary steps to protect its systems and data from cyberattacks.
- Strengthened Cybersecurity: Meeting the DFARS requirements helps strengthen your company’s overall cybersecurity posture. By taking steps to protect your systems and data, you can help reduce the risk of a cyberattack and the damages that could result from one.
- Reduced Risk of Penalties: Meeting the requirements of DFARS can help reduce the risk of penalties for non-compliance. The DoD has a variety of enforcement actions that it can take against companies that aren’t compliant, including fines, suspension or termination of contracts, and criminal charges.
- Improved Reputation: DFARS compliance shows that your company takes its cybersecurity obligations seriously and is committed to protecting its systems and data. This can help improve your company’s reputation and make it more trusted by customers and partners.
Brightline IT Can Keep You DFARS Compliant
Our experts at Brightline IT can help you ensure compliance with the DFARS regulations. We can help you assess your current cybersecurity posture, implement the necessary security controls, and create a plan to keep your systems and data safe.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you meet your DFARS compliance obligations.
