DFARS compliance standards are complex—with the right guidance, you can be sure your IT systems and procedures are up to par.
The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) is a set of regulations that require Department of Defense (DoD) contractors to establish adequate cybersecurity practices for the careful handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Failure to comply can result in penalties, contract suspension, or being stripped of the privilege to be a DoD contractor.
Becoming compliant takes time and requires a close look at the standards that are examined during an audit, so we’ve created a checklist to help you prepare.
How are DFARS and NIST 800-171 related?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-171 (NIST SP 800-171) is a set of guidelines that contractors must adhere to in order to be DFARS compliant. Essentially, NIST SP 800-171 defines how contractors should handle CUI.
To meet these minimum requirements, you’ll need to introduce security protocols for 14 different areas as laid out in the NIST SP 800-171.
Checklist Items to Fulfill NIST 800-171 Protocols
Did you know that it’s estimated that the typical DoD contractor is only 60% compliant with the cybersecurity requirements that are outlined in DFARS?
Most recently, the DoD has combatted the low rate of DFARS compliance among its contractors by introducing the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). This model builds on existing DFARS regulations, so it’s a good idea to have DFARS nailed down before tackling CMMC certification. If you’re already DFARS-compliant, you can easily achieve CMMC Level 3 maturity with a third-party auditor by just implementing a few more cyber hygiene practices.
Meeting DFARS requirements is arduous and time consuming, but the good news is that expert help is available. The first step to becoming DFARS compliant is to assess your readiness using our checklist. Download today to get started on the path to compliance.
