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Compliance Isn't Just a Box to Check—It's a Strategic Necessity in Today's Cybersecurity Landscape. In today's ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, compliance is more than just a regulatory requirement—it's a strategic imperative.
For organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), adhering to frameworks like NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 is crucial not only for securing contracts but also for safeguarding sensitive data.
This blog series, "A Practical Compliance Guide: NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 & CMMC 2.0," is designed to demystify these complex standards and provide actionable steps, practical advice, and clear requirements for achieving and maintaining compliance. Whether you're a small business just starting your compliance journey or a large organization looking to refine your existing processes, this series will serve as your comprehensive roadmap.
We'll begin with an overview of the importance of compliance and delve into who needs to comply with DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, and CMMC 2.0. From there, we'll explore the specifics of DFARS, the interim rule clauses, and a deep dive into the key requirements of NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2. (If you are preparing CMMC 2.0, primarily level 2 certification, you will need to implement NIST SP 800-171 rev. 2 as they have the same set of controls and requirements. Rev. 2 was published in February of 2020. If you store, transmit, or process Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) DFARS 252.204-7012 requires you to be rev. 2 compliant. In May 2024, NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 3 was published, superseding Rev. 2. Currently, DFARS does not require Rev. 3 compliant. Everyone seeking CMMC should concentrate on Rev. 2 compliance). Finally, throughout the series, we'll guide you through the levels and domains of CMMC 2.0, integrating an implementation strategy that aligns all these requirements into a unified compliance plan.
Join us as we navigate the intricacies of these critical frameworks, offering practical tools, technologies, and strategies to help your organization achieve compliance and protect your most valuable assets.
Importance of Compliance
Compliance ensures the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and other sensitive data, safeguarding national security and maintaining good business relationships with the Department of Defense (DoD) and its prime contractors. Non-compliance can lead to severe consequences, including financial penalties, loss of contracts, and reputational damage.
Who Needs to Comply With DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, and CMMC?
Companies that need to comply with DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, and CMMC typically include:
• Defense Contractors: Any company that provides products or services to the Department of Defense (DoD) under a contract must comply with these standards to protect sensitive information.
• Subcontractors: Companies that work as subcontractors for primary defense contractors must also meet these requirements, as they often handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) passed down from the prime contractor.
• Manufacturers: Businesses that manufacture goods for defense-related projects must adhere to these cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard the integrity of the supply chain.
• Service Providers: Firms providing IT, cybersecurity, consulting, and other professional services to DoD contractors must comply to protect any sensitive data they handle.
• Research Institutions and Universities: Institutions that conduct research funded by the DoD or collaborate on defense-related projects must implement these standards to protect sensitive research data.
• Vendors and Suppliers: Companies supplying materials, components, or services to defense contractors or directly to the DoD must comply to ensure the security of the defense supply chain.
Compliance is essential for maintaining eligibility for DoD contracts and safeguarding sensitive government information against cyber threats. Many companies misunderstand that additional compliance is not required because they are already ISO 9001, AS9100, ITAR Registered, or NADCAP Accredited. However, you are most definitely still obligated to achieve NIST SP 800-171 compliance and CMMC certification as soon as possible! Failure to do so could result in losing both current and future contracts.
About the Author
Joe Coleman is the Cyber Security Officer for Bluestreak Compliance™, a division of Throughput | Bluestreak | Bright AM™. Joe is a Certified CMMC-RPA (Registered Practitioner Advanced).
About Bluestreak™:
Bluestreak™ is a fully integrated Quality Management System (QMS), a powerful Manufacturing Execution System (MES) designed for the manufacturing environment and service-based manufacturing companies ( metal-treating/powder-coating, plating, heat-treating, forging, and metal-finishing), businesses that receive customers’ parts, perform a process (service) on them, and send those parts back to the customer). Companies need MES software tailored to specific functionality and workflow needs, such as industry-specific specifications management, intuitive scheduling control for staff and machinery maintenance, and the ability to manage work orders and track real-time data. If different work centers on the production floor aren’t “speaking” to each other via the MES, the data loses value and becomes disjointed or lost in disparate silos.
Bluestreak | Bright AM™ is an MES + QMS software solution specifically designed to manage and optimize the unique requirements of Additive Manufacturing’s production of parts and powder inventory usage.
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