NIST 800-171 / DFARS

The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) governs the acquisition of goods and services for the Department of Defense (DoD). Both officials and contractors must comply with the requirements set forth in DFARS. As anyone who has looked at the requirements set forth in DFARS knows, DFARS itself is a complex regulatory body that is broad in scope and depth. Contractors and subcontractors that supply or work with the DoD are required to comply with DFARS or face penalties for non-compliance, making it essential to understand exactly what your DFARS compliance requirements are and how you can meet them.

Businesses, governments, educational institutions, and society all use computers, handheld devices, and electronic storage containers on a daily basis. Life and work depend on the secure and reliable functionality of these devices. However, with the widespread use of such technology, international cooperation and transnational business have also increased significantly. Consequently, it is now vital that all entities involved maintain an equal level of security. Such measures engender trust and also improve efficiency. To encourage better cyber security standards in the U.S., the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) formulated a Cybersecurity Framework (CSF). Do you know what are the 5 functions of NIST CSF? Keep reading to learn more about NIST’s cybersecurity framework and what you can expect from a cyber security provider.

When it comes to technology and science, the U.S. Government has a variety of bodies and agencies that help support innovation and promote industry-wide standards. One of the most important (and under appreciated) of these organizations is NIST.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) spent $439.4 billion on contracts for products and services in 2020. That’s billions of tax dollars awarded to hundreds, if not thousands of companies contributing to US national defense. To get involved in this lucrative industry, contractors must abide by Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS) requirements, such as limiting offshore acquisitions to organizations located in DFARS-compliant countries. Read on to review the list of DFARS-compliant countries (2021) and the safeguards that organizations must demonstrate to secure DoD contracts.

Compliance with the National Insitute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171 is critical to demonstrating your security posture as a Department of Defense (DoD) contractor—helping you maintain preferred contractor status. NIST 800-171 compliance helps safeguard sensitive information such as Covered Defense Information (CDI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Read on to learn all about NIST 800-171 passing scores.

The federal government utilizes contractors to provide routine services and products to achieve the nation’s missions and conduct operations. During the course of business, the government shares sensitive information with federal contractors, which is then stored, processed, and transmitted via information systems. Department of Defense (DoD) contractors must abide by Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements for protecting Covered Defense Information (CDI), which is directly related to national security.