The journey to CMMC Level 3 represents the highest level of cybersecurity maturity under the CMMC framework. Unlike Levels 1 and 2, which focus on FCI and CUI, respectively, Level 3 targets Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). That means more extensive security, defined in NIST Special Publication 800-172. For organizations that support critical programs or handle… Read More
FedRAMP requirements include, as part of an organization’s security readiness, incident response capabilities that directly impact an organization’s ability to maintain authorization and protect sensitive government data. For security professionals operating in the federal cloud ecosystem, understanding the relationship between FedRAMP requirements and incident response planning is essential for both compliance and operational excellence.
Across CMMC certification and ongoing monitoring and assessment, the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC) plays a pivotal role in verifying contractor compliance. Here, we will cover the relationship between DIBCAC and CMMC assessments, providing expert-level guidance for organizations seeking Level 2 or Level 3 certification.
Protecting CUI isn’t getting any easier, and providers in the DIB are looking for ways to protect sensitive data above and beyond network and app security. One such method gaining prominence is the implementation of CMMC-compliant enclaves. Enclaves are logical or physical isolation zones engineered to meet the requirements of CMMC, particularly for Levels 2… Read More
CMMC 2.0 Level 3 transcends the foundational and advanced cyber hygiene practices enumerated in Level 1 and Level 2, respectively, venturing into a realm where the mitigation of Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) is at the forefront. This article will cover CMMC Maturity Level 3 and the controls mandated by the framework, specifically those outlined in… Read More
If you’re working in cybersecurity today, you’ve probably felt the pressure of managing multiple compliance frameworks at once. It’s like trying to juggle while riding a unicycle: technically possible, but not exactly fun. Two frameworks that often end up on the same organization’s plate are ISO 27001 and the CMMC, and they can either work… Read More
For companies within the federal sector, especially small to mid-sized businesses, the push toward compliance is not just a regulatory burden but an operational necessity. CMMC is one of these challenging frameworks, and these businesses are finding that alignment with CMMC is a tricky proposition. Meeting the stringent demands of CMMC requires a robust and… Read More
The cybersecurity landscape for Department of Defense contractors is evolving rapidly. As the CMMC program rolls out, organizations are wrestling with a tough question: how do we meet these demanding requirements while actually building security that works? Here’s where Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) comes into play. It’s a complete shift from the old “castle and… Read More
Federal contractors and cloud service providers face an increasingly complex web of compliance requirements. Two frameworks dominate this landscape: CMMC and FedRAMP. This challenge hits hardest for organizations serving multiple federal sectors or providing both traditional contracting services and cloud solutions. These companies must navigate overlapping requirements, duplicate their documentation efforts, and maintain separate compliance… Read More
If you’re a DoD contractor, you’ve probably felt the pain of juggling multiple cybersecurity frameworks. Between CMMC requirements and NIST 800-53 compliance, you’re doing the same work. Automating these frameworks can help you work smarter, not harder, while maintaining a strong security program. For organizations serving both government and commercial customers, being able to connect… 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
As we move into 2025, FedRAMP remains a cornerstone of security compliance for cloud service providers working with U.S. federal agencies. However, with evolving technologies, heightened cybersecurity threats, and increasing regulatory demands, organizations must refine their strategies to stay ahead. Below is a comprehensive and in-depth list of critical considerations for achieving and maintaining FedRAMP… Read More
In the increasingly complex landscape of cybersecurity, the CMMC framework stands as a crucial initiative designed to bolster the resilience of the Defense Industrial Base. For organizations aiming to meet CMMC requirements, the certification process involves more than just initial compliance—post-assessment remediation plays a pivotal role. This stage addresses deficiencies identified during the evaluation, ensuring… Read More
Data anonymization and tokenization are essential techniques for SOC 2 security requirements and, in a larger context, for data privacy. By implementing these data protection methods, organizations can bolster their privacy controls, reduce risk, and demonstrate commitment to SOC 2 privacy compliance. This article discusses how data anonymization and tokenization work, their differences, and how… Read More
CMMC Level 2 has stringent requirements, emphasizing code security to protect sensitive data across software and IT systems that contractors maintain. With the rise of cyber threats targeting government suppliers, the CMMC framework establishes essential protocols contractors must implement, ultimately bolstering code security practices. This article examines how CMMC Level 2 impacts code security for… Read More
Extended detection and response systems have emerged as powerful tools for enhancing security operations and audit readiness across several compliance and security standards. By integrating various security tools and providing advanced threat detection and response capabilities, XDR platforms enable contractors to meet CMMC requirements effectively while strengthening their security posture. This article examines how XDR… Read More
Ensuring FedRAMP compliance across multi-tenant environments is a significant challenge for managed service and cloud providers offering services to U.S. federal agencies. These environments, which allow multiple tenants to share computing resources while maintaining isolated data environments, must adhere to stringent security requirements defined by FedRAMP. Understanding these requirements and how to implement them effectively… Read More
Navigating FedRAMP High Authorization is a critical process for CSPs seeking to offer services to federal agencies. This authorization ensures that a cloud offering meets stringent security requirements to handle the most sensitive federal information. It demonstrates a high level of security that can lend itself to other federal government applications. This article will delve… Read More