Incorporating open-source software (OSS) into organizational systems offers numerous benefits, including flexibility, innovation, and cost savings. However, for entities operating under stringent regulatory frameworks such as CMMC, FedRAMP, and HIPAA, adopting OSS requires careful consideration to ensure compliance.  This article explores the effectiveness of OSS within these regulations and outlines the essential measures organizations must… Read More

In early 2024, DISA Global Solutions, a Texas-based company specializing in employee background checks and drug testing, experienced a significant data breach that affected over 3.3 million individuals.  This breach is a case study of what to do and what not to do. While it doesn’t directly apply to a compliance framework, any company handling… Read More

A critical component of the FedRAMP framework is its adherence to cryptographic standards, specifically the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-3. Data privacy is essential to compliance, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology has clearly defined the requirements for just how a FedRAMP-compliance organization encrypts its data.  This article will cover those requirements… Read More

SOC 2 compliance is a crucial standard for organizations that handle sensitive customer data, particularly cloud service providers and SaaS businesses. However, achieving and maintaining SOC 2 compliance is no small feat. The traditional audit process can be time-consuming, complex, and expensive, requiring extensive documentation, evidence collection, and control monitoring. Automation revolutionizes compliance by reducing… Read More

CMMC requires extensive controls, policies, and compliance documentation like any other framework. Unfortunately, this documentation takes weeks or even months to complete correctly, and human error is always possible.  Here, we discuss documentation requirements under CMMC and how automation can help make the certification process more manageable.   

As organizations work toward CMMC compliance, the role of the Chief Information Officer becomes increasingly critical. A CIO ensures alignment with CMMC requirements and shapes an organization’s broader cybersecurity and IT governance strategies. This article explores the CMMC framework’s expectations for CIOs, responsibilities, and actionable steps to help organizations achieve and maintain compliance.  

For years, quantum computers have been seen as science fiction. But now, with researchers making rapid leaps in practical design and implementation, publications like Gartner predict that this new technology may render traditional cryptography ineffective by 2029.  This article delves into how quantum computing is shaping the future, focusing on its implications for compliance and… Read More

In an era of escalating cyber threats and regulatory scrutiny, organizations are under pressure to deliver secure software while adhering to compliance frameworks like SOC 2. DevSecOps, which integrates security into DevOps practices, offers a pathway to align agility with accountability. However, bridging the gap between SOC 2’s rigorous controls and the rapid pace of… Read More

Adopting hybrid cloud systems—blending private on-premises infrastructure with public cloud services—has surged as organizations seek scalability, cost-efficiency, and flexibility. However, securing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in these environments remains a critical challenge. These systems will use encryption to protect this data… but hybrid clouds introduce unique complexities due to data mobility, shared responsibility models, and… Read More

FedRAMP has become the gold standard for securing cloud services used by U.S. federal agencies. With the introduction of the Open Security Controls Assessment Language (OSCAL), FedRAMP assessments are transforming toward automation, consistency, and scalability.  OSCAL-based mastering evaluations are critical for organizations pursuing FedRAMP authorization. They streamline compliance efforts and reduce time to market. This… Read More

The digital battleground of the 21st century is no longer confined to physical borders or conventional warfare. Nation-states increasingly weaponize cyberspace to disrupt economies, steal intellectual property, and destabilize adversaries. The U.S. Department of Defense has prioritized fortifying its Defense Industrial Base through the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework in this high-stakes environment.  This… Read More

The CMMC framework represents a critical evolution in securing the DIB. For organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in the highest-risk contexts, achieving CMMC Level 3 compliance requires defenses against sophisticated adversaries like nation-state APTs.  Traditional compliance checks and penetration testing are insufficient to validate these controls. Instead, red teaming—a full-scope, adversarial simulation—is essential to… Read More