Businesses and organizations that partner with the US military on different projects have the duty and responsibility to protect the information they are entrusted with and maintain strong physical and online security throughout their company.
In order to clarify these expectations and make sure data and systems stay secure, the DoD has created compliance standards that military contractors must follow in order to be eligible to work with the department. This article will be an overview of these crucial guidelines you need to be aware of in order to maintain or secure a DoD contract.
NIST
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) outlines practices for storing, protecting, distributing, and otherwise handling controlled unclassified information (CUI). These standards are the base of most other compliance regulations and clearly lay out security recommendations and expectations.
NIST 800-171 includes the most basic requirements for military contractors. It involves 14 categories of requirements, such as access controls, physical security, and ongoing maintenance.
DFARS
DFARS stands for Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. It’s a set of laws, policies, and applications that extend Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). These standards are designed specifically for businesses seeking DoD contracts and include things like proper employee training, risk assessments, incident response plans, and more.
Military contractors are expected to be in compliance with DFARS 252.204-7012, -7019, or -7020. Depending on the project, you may need to meet all or some of these qualifications, along with others not listed here.
CMMC
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) establishes the practical implications of NIST and DFARS guidelines and helps organizations maintain physical safety and cybersecurity levels that align with the sensitivity of CUI and other DoD data.
A newer version of this model, CMMC 2.0, was released recently and is in the process of being refined and fully implemented.1 Its changes make it easier for smaller companies to comply and achieve certification. It also focuses on creating a stronger alignment with existing frameworks like NIST.
CMMC includes various levels that must be reached depending on the kind of work you are doing. CMMC 2.0 includes three different levels, and military contractors working with CUI must obtain at least a level 2 certification. However, each project is different, so it’s best to consult with compliance experts to make sure you’re meeting all the correct qualifications.
Make Compliance Simple With Brightline IT
Keeping all these regulations straight and understanding which ones apply to your company and contract can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when you’re already busy managing your business and its core operations.
Partnering with Brightline IT makes compliance smoother than ever. Understand the requirements that apply to your contract, implement customized physical and cybersecurity measures, and stay up-to-date with changes in regulations—all with the help of an expert, professional team who’s invested in your success.
If you are one of many current military contractors or are in the process of applying, you need the compliance expertise of Brightline. Send us a message to learn more and make your compliance plan.
