CyberSaint Blog | Expert Thought

DFARS Update: Defense Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Talks NIST 800-171 Compliance

Written by Alison Furneaux | December 28, 2017

Hon Ellen Lord clarified with regards to the DFARS cyber regulation specifically for subconctractors and suppliers, "the only requirement for this year is to lay out what you plan is" but that compliance was inevitably required to those documents to continue business with the DoD. The importance of the DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements and generating a suffiient SSP (System Security Plan) and POAM (Plan of Actions and Milestones) is at its peak. 

[Comply Now, Pay Later: Automated SSP & POAM; Effective, Simple DFARS Compliance & FASTEST Time-To-Value Available on CyberStrong for DFARS/NIST SP 800-171]

"The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement requires that all DoD contractors - including small businesses - comply with a complex series of cybersecurity requirements by December 31st of this year... I certainly think it's important for us to address cyber concerns" - Senator Jeanne Shaheen

The New Hampshire Senator further stated that coming from a small business state, she has heard the concerns of small businesses - which tend to be subcontractors and suppliers - regarding complying by the deadline.

Hon. Defense Under Secretary for Aquisiton, Technology, and Logistics Ellen Lord stated that the plan of action for DFARS compliance is required by December 31, 2017 for businesses in this position - as well as "report(ing) your compliance to it". 

CyberStrong for DFARS and NIST SP 800-171 simplifies a complex set of requirements that can be otherwise daunting at the least for smaller defense-related businesses. With low cost and continuous compliance, you can streamline compliance and get up and running in just hours. An automated SSP and POAM export will be formatted to your company's specifications, ready for submission.

C-SPAN Video is available here.