End-to-end encrypted messaging apps like Signal have gained widespread traction in the news (for better or worse). The app is widely praised for its robust encryption model, minimal data collection, and open-source transparency, and journalists, activists, and security-conscious executives have turned to Signal as a trusted tool for secure communication. But while Signal excels in… Read More
CMMC has emerged as a pivotal framework for contractors working in the DiB, ensuring that organizations safeguard sensitive information effectively. CMMC requires adherents to follow comprehensive documentation and robust policy frameworks like any other. Here, we will discuss the intricacies of documentation and policy development within the CMMC context, providing expert insights for organizations aiming… Read More
A critical component of CMMC is the robust authentication mechanisms that it requires, including biometric authentication, which plays a pivotal role in safeguarding sensitive information. As biometrics become more common and available across organizations, standards are evolving to incorporate this substantial identification measure. This article covers the technical aspects of CMMC’s authentication requirements, emphasizing the… Read More
Effective log management is critical to CMMC. It ensures organizations can monitor, analyze, and respond appropriately to security incidents. Properly implemented, log management supports compliance, enhances security posture, and provides a foundation for forensic analysis. Here, we’ll discuss some of the particulars of log management under CMMC, covering the technical aspects of log management within… Read More
?Classifying CUI is a critical component of the CMMC framework, ensuring that sensitive information is appropriately identified and protected within the Defense Industrial Base. This article explores the processes and guidelines for classifying CUI in alignment with CMMC requirements, drawing upon official documentation from the Department of Defense and related authoritative sources.?
In 2025, the proliferation of shadow IT—technology systems and solutions adopted without explicit organizational approval—has escalated to the point that it’s nearly impossible to separate home devices from enterprise infrastructure without serious investment in security and device management. This surge is primarily driven by employees seeking efficient tools to enhance productivity, often bypassing IT departments.… Read More
In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed significant amendments to the HIPAA Security Rule. These proposed changes aim to strengthen cybersecurity measures protecting electronically protected health information (ePHI) in response to the escalating frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks targeting the healthcare sector. ?
The transition to the cloud has been necessary for most government agencies, even as some might lag in adoption. However, this transition isn’t without its own set of issues, as it introduces a complex array of security challenges that must be addressed to protect sensitive government data and maintain public trust. Recognizing these challenges, GovRamp… Read More
Modern attackers come from any and every angle, but one thing they all want is access to data. But this doesn’t mean they just want to land in some database… more often than not, advanced attackers are looking for ways to monitor information flows to gain credentials and learn more about the systems and organizations… Read More
CMMC reshapes how defense contractors secure CUI. One of the most critical components of CMMC compliance is incident response (IR)—the ability to detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity incidents while meeting strict reporting and documentation requirements. Under the final CMMC rule, contractors at Level 2 and above must implement formalized IR policies, procedures, and… Read More
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
For startups in the defense sector, CMMC is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, working in the DIB is a massive opportunity for most startups. Conversely, the costs and complexity of compliance can overwhelm lean teams with limited resources. This is why startups increasingly turn to CSPs and MSPs to achieve CMMC compliance without… Read More
We’re well into the era of “hybrid,” where many tech and office jobs are managed from the comfort of our employees’ homes alongside elective trips to the office. This approach to work is often much more convenient and flexible than on-site work (when possible), but it introduces its own set of challenges, specifically around security. Hybrid… Read More