FedRAMP is at the center of the federal mandate on cloud technology, offering a standardized approach for assessing, authorizing, and continuously monitoring these services across agencies. But even with a mature framework, FedRAMP processes can be time-consuming and document-heavy. This is where the Open Security Controls Assessment Language (OSCAL) comes in. This transformative initiative introduces… Read More
Cloud security and compliance have emerged as critical concerns amid the modern transformation to cloud infrastructure. Adopting Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) has become a strategic imperative rather than just an option for efficiency, and organizations aiming to fortify their security orientation and navigate the complex regulatory environment effectively need to understand how to evaluate their… Read More
As the federal government continues to move critical systems into the cloud, SaaS offerings inevitably move to the forefront of digital transformation. These solutions provide the scalability and flexibility these agencies need, even if they introduce unique security challenges. Namely, isolation strategies become paramount when serving multiple tenants, especially in high-security environments. FedRAMP sets rigorous… Read More
?In a significant move to better encapsulate its expansive mission, StateRAMP has announced its rebranding to GovRAMP. This change reflects the organization’s dedication to unifying cybersecurity standards across all levels of government (state, local, tribal, and educational institutions) while fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors.?
As the cyber threat landscape becomes increasingly dominated by state-sponsored actors and advanced persistent threats, the DoD has taken critical steps to evolve its cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors. For contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and seeking to achieve CMMC Level 3, the NIST SP 800-172 Enhanced Security Requirements represent the most stringent technical… Read More
FedRAMP, initially established in 2011 to standardize the security authorization of cloud services for federal use, has often been criticized for its complexity and cost. To address these challenges, the FedRAMP Program Management Office launched FedRAMP 20x—a modernization initiative designed to radically transform how cloud service providers achieve and maintain FedRAMP authorization. FedRAMP 20x represents… Read More
Protecting CUI is critical to national security. As adversaries increasingly target the Defense Industrial Base, the Department of Defense has strengthened its approach to cybersecurity compliance through the CMMC. While CMMC does not explicitly create or enforce data governance frameworks, it plays a pivotal role in operationalizing the technical and procedural controls necessary to secure… Read More
The journey toward SOC 2 can feel daunting: fragmented documentation, unclear control mapping, and labor-intensive evidence collection often slow progress and increase audit risk. That’s where compliance platforms come in. These technology-driven solutions promise to streamline the entire SOC 2 process, from readiness assessments and control implementation to continuous monitoring and audit preparation. However, with… Read More
Automapping CMMC practices to other compliance frameworks such as NIST 800-53, ISO 27001, and FedRAMP is an attractive option for security teams managing complex regulatory landscapes. On paper, many of these frameworks cover overlapping domains: access control, audit logging, incident response, risk assessment, and system configuration management. However, the practical reality of automating reveals significant… Read More
More than ever, insider threats remain among the most challenging attacks to detect and the most damaging to mitigate. Threats from individuals with authorized access are a critical focus of the CMMC, particularly at Levels 2 and 3, which mandate strong controls to combat social engineering and threats from employees or other internal stakeholders. This… Read More
Achieving FedRAMP authorization requires a hardened approach to cryptographic validation beyond shallow ciphers. For CSPs, simply saying that you use AES-256 or support TLS without verified, validated cryptographic modules introduces fatal flaws into authorization efforts. To succeed, CSPs must build systems that assume validation is an operational need and not something they do after the… Read More
Penetration testing plays a vital role in FedRAMP assessments, and red team testing represents this domain’s most advanced and realistic evaluation form. This article delves into the scope, process, and value of red team penetration testing in the FedRAMP context, providing insights for cloud service providers, third-party assessment organizations, and federal stakeholders.
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. Journalists, activists, and security-conscious executives have turned to Signal as a trusted tool for secure communication. But while Signal excels in privacy,… 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