Having heard of DoD Compliance, you may also have heard of DoD, but you probably do not know what it is and whether compliance with it is a part of your business processes. However, what exactly does it imply, and why is that so important? Simply put, DoD compliance is concerned entirely with the security of sensitive government information and with your company being compliant with the security standards required by the Department of Defense (DoD).
Who Has to Be DoD Compliant?
Certain cybersecurity regulations must be adhered to by any company that stores, handles, and processes Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) on behalf of DoD. These are contractors, suppliers, and service providers. Although your company might not be in the business of classified information, the cooperation with the DoD implies specific security regulations to be observed.
Central Standards In DoD Compliance
Businesses typically require these two significant guidelines to satisfy DoD compliance:
1. NIST SP 800-171
It is a group of guidelines established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It consists of 14 areas (termed control families) that run the gamut from access control, incident response, and data protection.
2. CMMC ( Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification )
The program is relatively new and allows companies to obtain the certificate at the two or three levels, with a view to the kind of job they are engaged in. Level 1 is meant to execute the elementary cybersecurity hygiene, and Level 3 relates to sophisticated safeguards.
Principal Goals of DoD Compliance
Guard Sensitive Information: Ward off the possibility of unauthorized access to government-related information.
Establish Credibility with DoD: Show that your business is serious about security.
Stay Qualified to Contract: Contract compliance is frequently necessary to either obtain or retain a DoD contract.
Challenges that are experienced by Businesses Commonly
Limited resources or the absence of knowledge about the field of cybersecurity create numerous challenges to the DoD compliance of many small and mid-sized businesses. Among some of the challenges are:
- Maintaining Systems Current Affairs
- Securing against predation
- Writing down policies and practices
Gearing up to face audits or tests.
The Way Maple Woods Enterprises Can Assist
Being DoD compliant does not have to be taxing. The services provided by Maple Woods Enterprises include assisting the companies to be compliant, i.e.:
- Continuous System Monitoring: Assists in early identification of issues and maintenance of systems.
- Incident Response: prompt response to a threat or a problem.
- Security Operations Center (SOC) Support: has 24/7 security operations and threat alerts.
- Compliance Guidance: Assistance on matching your systems and processes with NIST and CMMC standards.
A Reason Why Compliance is a Long-Term Process
After barring DoD compliances, it is not a one-time affair. It needs to be updated regularly, checked, and monitored constantly. Security standards change with varying threats and the evolution of technology. This is the reason why several companies consult managed services to keep up.
Final Thought
DoD compliance is an important requirement when doing business with the Department of Defense, but it also makes a lot of sense as an investment in your company’s cybersecurity. Protecting your systems and data can not only help you achieve governmental standards, but also decrease risks to the business. And with proper support and a plan in mind, it will not be that impossible to remain compliant and be successful in your future development.
