Achieving and maintaining compliance with DFARS regulations requires a systematic approach. Stay ahead of the curve with these government IT solutions:
- Conduct a Gap Analysis: Begin by conducting a gap analysis to assess the current state of your cybersecurity practices against the NIST SP 800-171 controls. Identify any deficiencies and prioritize areas that need improvement. This analysis will serve as the foundation for developing your SSP and POA&M.
- Develop a System Security Plan (SSP): Create an SSP that outlines how your organization will meet each of the 110 security controls specified in NIST SP 800-171. The SSP should detail your policies, procedures, and technical measures for safeguarding CUI.
- Create a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M): If any NIST SP 800-171 controls are not fully implemented, develop a POA&M to address these gaps. The POA&M should outline specific actions, timelines, and resources required to achieve full compliance.
- Implement Security Controls: Implement the necessary security controls to address the gaps identified in your gap analysis and documented in your POA&M. This may involve updating policies, deploying new technologies, conducting training, and enhancing monitoring and incident response capabilities.
- Conduct Regular Assessments: Regularly assess your cybersecurity practices to ensure ongoing compliance with DFARS 252.204-102 regulation. Conduct internal audits, and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential weaknesses.
- Report Cyber Incidents: Establish a process for reporting cyber incidents to the DoD within the required 72-hour timeframe. Ensure that your incident response team is trained to handle and report incidents promptly.
- Maintain Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of your cybersecurity practices, including your SSP, POA&M, assessment reports, and incident response records.