In today’s increasingly digital landscape, security and compliance are paramount for organizations, especially those working with government entities. As states turn to cloud solutions to increase efficiency and improve services, ensuring secure and compliant environments is critical. For state government decision-makers and tech business leaders, integrating StateRAMP into your compliance strategy offers an opportunity to… Read More
StateRAMP is a security framework that ensures cloud service providers (CSPs) handling government data meet stringent cybersecurity requirements. As more states adopt StateRAMP as a standard for cloud security, CSPs seeking to work with government agencies must achieve and maintain this certification. However, navigating the certification process presents several challenges, even for seasoned professionals. This… Read More
Securing these digital environments is paramount as cloud-based systems and services become more integral to government operations. Enter the FedRAMP Digital Authorization Package Pilot, a significant milestone in modernizing and automating the FedRAMP authorization process. This pilot program aims to streamline the FedRAMP process, accelerating cloud adoption by improving security assessments’ efficiency, transparency, and reusability.… Read More
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is evolving to streamline and enhance its cloud security framework for federal agencies and cloud service providers (CSPs). The latest updates, stemming from two significant announcements, signify critical shifts in FedRAMP’s authorization process, which aims to promote efficiency, security, and scalability for cloud solutions used across government… Read More
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a critical initiative to enhance companies’ cybersecurity practices within the defense industrial base. With the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats, the Department of Defense implemented CMMC to ensure that all contractors have robust cybersecurity measures. Managed Service Providers play an essential role in this ecosystem, offering… Read More
While outsourcing can drive efficiency and innovation, it also introduces significant risks, particularly concerning data security and compliance. Many security frameworks have taken up the responsibility of helping organizations manage threats in this context, and SOC 2 is no different. This article explores the intersection of SOC 2 compliance and third-party vendor risk management, providing… Read More
With the rise in cyber threats targeting sensitive defense-related information, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has become more pressing than ever. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) was developed to address these concerns. The transition from CMMC 1.0 to CMMC 2.0 has recently brought about significant changes to simplify compliance while maintaining stringent cybersecurity… Read More
In the evolving global cybersecurity landscape, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification has emerged as a critical framework for safeguarding sensitive information within the defense industrial base. Developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, CMMC aims to enhance the protection of controlled unclassified information (CUI) from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. This article discusses CMMC within the… Read More
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework aims to enhance the protection of sensitive data across the defense industrial base. Understanding and implementing CMMC is vital for business decision-makers to safeguard their increasingly vulnerable digital supply chains. This article discusses the importance of CMMC in supply chain security and provides actionable insights for enhancing your… Read More
The new CMMC rule proposal is out, and some organizations are getting their first introductions to the cost of doing business in the federal sector. This new rule includes several estimates for the total costs of adopting the framework for small and larger businesses. But is this the final word? We break down some of… Read More
With Executive Order 14028’s requirements coming into effect, government agencies and their software partners are looking for ways to meet these stringent requirements. These include managing system security across all potential attack vectors, including those introduced during the development cycle. Here, we discuss how the Secure Software Development Framework is a good baseline for approaching… Read More
The Secure Software Development Framework, outlined in NIST Special Publication 800-218, provides guidelines and best practices to enhance the security and integrity of software development processes. NIST developed it to help organizations implement secure software development practices and mitigate risks associated with software vulnerabilities.
Modern industry relies heavily on automation and control systems to maintain efficiency, productivity, and safety. With the increasing integration of these systems into broader networks, the risk of cyberattacks has significantly grown. ISASecure, a globally recognized cybersecurity certification program, is a critical certification body providing standards and assessments to protect these integral systems against modern… Read More
Like any other agency, the IRS works with a network of technology providers and third parties to support its mission of managing sensitive financial data. These relationships present unavoidable security risks. IRS 4812 helps address these security challenges by outlining security requirements and best practices for contractors working with the IRS to handle specific forms of… Read More
We’ve talked quite a bit about the technical compliance requirements in this space, and IT and security support are the most critical parts of your CMMC strategy. However, business leadership is the backbone of ongoing compliance strategies (and their success). Business leaders set the tone for compliance strategies, prioritizing organizations’ resources and attention to ensure… Read More
Starting in Q1 2025, software providers in the DoD supply chain must align their security with CMMC 2.0 standards. While many enterprise customers have been spending that past year getting ready, the reality is that most businesses don’t share this level of preparedness–specifically, small businesses. Meeting the challenges of a complex framework like CMMC can… Read More
Generative AI is in the news, as usual. However, one of the big pushes we’re seeing lately is how the practices used by AI providers like OpenAI may violate user privacy. This, of course, is a big no-no for jurisdictions like the EU. Here, we’re dipping into the world of AI to talk about the… Read More
We’ve previously written about the importance of NVLAP Common Criteria accreditation for lab testing and validating products for use in high-risk industries. It’s probably unsurprising that we are markedly interested in cybersecurity labs’ requirements. Here, we’re discussing NVLAP Common Criteria accreditation for cybersecurity labs–what it is, how it is unique for assessed labs, and some… Read More
Government agencies (and their vendors and partners) are increasingly entrusted with sensitive data. Accordingly, protecting critical infrastructure and cybersecurity are both top priorities. The tools they use must come from time-tested and verified protocols to ensure they are secure and not tampered with. In turn, this means that these tools must come from labs that… Read More
We’ve written extensively about CMMC and NIST Special Publication 800-171, which cover the handling and protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). But what is CUI? How is it created, and why is it so important to protect? Here, we’re digging into CUI and why it’s integral to significant cybersecurity frameworks in the federal marketplace.
Most security standards, including government standards, require cryptography. We are generally familiar with implementing a cryptographic algorithm that meets these requirements and calling it a day. However, to ensure security, NIST also publishes standards for validating encryption modules to ensure they serve their purpose under federal standards. Here, we’re discussing the Cryptographic Algorithm Validation Program… Read More
IT security in the federal market is layered and multifaceted. Specific requirements exist for different types of data platforms and technologies. At a more granular level, standards have been developed for individual IT products: NIAP Protection Profiles. This article will cover why these profiles are essential for federal security, how to find them, and what… Read More
Recently, the FedRAMP program (via the OMB) released a request for feedback on new guidance documentation for penetration testing under the program. The new guidance standards target organizations and 3PAOs undergoing or performing penetration tests under FedRAMP requirements. The new guidance addresses new attack vectors targeting subsystems in IT infrastructure. Here, we’ll cover his newest… Read More
In 2023, the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) launched a revision of its SOC 2 standard. This revision focused specifically on security issues and emphasized “points of focus” to boost SOC 2 audits’ ability to address modern security threats.