Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and NIST 800-171 Audit support. We are ready when you are!
Lazarus Alliance Proactive Cyber Security® services reduce performance and operational risks through innovative, cost-effective solutions tailored to meet Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and NIST 800-171 requirements. Department of Defense (DoD) contractors must comply with DFARS to protect covered defense information within their systems.
Covered defense information refers to unclassified controlled technical information or other Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) that requires protection and controlled dissemination. This includes mandatory cyber incident reporting. The specific safeguards are outlined in NIST Special Publication 800-171: Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Non-Federal Information Systems and Organizations.
Lazarus Alliance Expertise Makes The Difference
Lazarus Alliance’s NIST 800-171 audits provide significant benefits to Defense Industrial Base (DIB) organizations, ensuring compliance with stringent cybersecurity requirements while enhancing operational and strategic capabilities. Below is a detailed description of how these audits support DIB organizations, based on their expertise in NIST 800-171 and related frameworks like DFARS and CMMC:
- Ensures Compliance with NIST 800-171 and DFARS
- Regulatory Adherence: Lazarus Alliance’s audits help DIB organizations meet the requirements of NIST Special Publication 800-171, which outlines 110 security controls across 14 families to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems. This is critical for compliance with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 252.204-7012, mandatory for Department of Defense (DoD) contractors handling CUI.
- Avoidance of Penalties: Non-compliance can lead to severe consequences, including loss of contracts, legal liabilities, and reputational damage. By conducting thorough audits, Lazarus Alliance ensures organizations meet these standards, reducing the risk of penalties or contract disqualification. - Streamlines Compliance with Automated Tools
- IT Audit Machine (ITAM): Lazarus Alliance leverages its proprietary IT Audit Machine (ITAM) software from Continuum GRC to automate and simplify the audit process. ITAM speeds up assessments and reporting by 180% compared to traditional methods like spreadsheets, making compliance more efficient and less resource-intensive for DIB organizations.
- Transparency and Ease: ITAM provides transparency and user-friendly interfaces, enabling organizations to understand their compliance status and plan continuous improvements. This is particularly valuable for small and medium-sized DIB contractors with limited resources. - Identifies and Addresses Security Gaps
- Comprehensive Gap Analysis: Lazarus Alliance conducts gap analyses to evaluate an organization’s current security posture against NIST 800-171 requirements. This identifies deficiencies in controls, allowing organizations to prioritize remediation efforts and strengthen their cybersecurity framework.
- Actionable Remediation Plans: Their audits provide clear roadmaps for addressing gaps, leveraging NIST 800-53 controls when needed, ensuring DIB organizations can achieve and maintain compliance efficiently. - Enhances Cybersecurity Posture
- Robust Security Controls: By aligning with NIST 800-171’s 14 control families (e.g., Access Control, Incident Response, System and Information Integrity), Lazarus Alliance audits help DIB organizations implement robust safeguards to protect CUI from cyber threats, reducing the risk of data breaches and insider threats.
- Proactive Risk Management: Their Proactive Cyber Security® services focus on real-time risk assessment and management, enabling DIB organizations to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and maintain system integrity. - Supports CMMC Certification
- Alignment with CMMC: NIST 800-171 forms the backbone of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), which standardizes security assessments for DIB contractors. Lazarus Alliance’s expertise in NIST 800-171 audits prepares organizations for CMMC Levels 1 and 2, and partially for Level 3, by ensuring compliance with the required 110 security practices.
- Third-Party Assessments: For CMMC Level 2 and higher, Lazarus Alliance’s audits align with Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) requirements, providing a foundation for successful certification and demonstrating due diligence to DoD auditors. - Provides Strategic Business Advantages
- Market Differentiation: A successful NIST 800-171 audit demonstrates a commitment to cybersecurity, offering DIB organizations a competitive edge when bidding for DoD contracts. It signals to partners and clients that the organization prioritizes data security.
- Enhanced Trust: Compliance enhances trust among clients, partners, and stakeholders, fostering stronger business relationships and potentially opening new opportunities in both government and private sectors. - Cost-Effective and Efficient Compliance
- Resource Optimization: For small and medium-sized DIB organizations with limited resources, Lazarus Alliance’s audits are cost-effective, leveraging tools like ITAM to reduce the time and effort required for compliance. This is critical for organizations facing resource constraints or technical complexities.
- Ongoing Support: Lazarus Alliance provides continuous support, including training and policy development, to maintain compliance over time, reducing the burden of ongoing regulatory changes and audits. - Mitigates Legal and Operational Risks
- Due Diligence Documentation: In the event of a cyber incident or legal action, a Lazarus Alliance audit provides credible evidence of due diligence, helping to mitigate legal and financial risks arising from breaches or non-compliance.
- Proactive Incident Preparedness: Their audits emphasize incident response planning and cyber incident reporting, ensuring DIB organizations are prepared to handle breaches effectively, minimizing operational disruptions. - Tailored Expertise and Industry Knowledge
- Experienced Cybervisors™: Lazarus Alliance’s team of Cybervisors™ brings extensive experience in NIST audits and government compliance, offering tailored guidance to navigate the technical rigor of DFARS and NIST 800-171 assessments.
- Customized Solutions: Their audits are customized to the unique needs of each DIB organization, ensuring compliance efforts align with business objectives and operational environments. - Facilitates Long-Term Compliance Sustainability
- Continuous Improvement: Lazarus Alliance’s audits support the development of sustainable compliance programs, with tools like ITAM enabling ongoing monitoring and updates to security controls as regulations evolve, such as the transition to NIST 800-171 Rev. 3.
- Policy and Training Support: They provide comprehensive policies, procedures, and training to ensure employees are aware of and adhere to security practices, fostering a culture of cybersecurity within the organization.
Conclusion
Lazarus Alliance’s NIST 800-171 audits empower DIB organizations to achieve and maintain compliance with critical cybersecurity standards, enhancing their security posture, reducing risks, and positioning them for success in DoD contracting. By leveraging advanced tools like ITAM, expert guidance, and a proactive approach, they streamline the compliance process, making it efficient and sustainable while providing strategic advantages in a competitive market.
Freguenty Asked Questions
What is DFARS compliance?
DFARS compliance involves meeting the cybersecurity requirements outlined in DFARS clause 252.204-7012, which mandates implementing NIST SP 800-171 controls to protect CUI in non-federal systems. It includes maintaining a System Security Plan (SSP), Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&M), and incident reporting capabilities.
What are the DFARS compliance requirements?
DFARS compliance requirements include:
- Implementing NIST 800-171 controls (110 in Rev 2, 97 in Rev 3).
- Developing an SSP and POA&M.
- Conducting a Basic, Medium, or High NIST 800-171 DoD Assessment.
- Reporting cyber incidents within 72 hours.
- Ensuring subcontractors comply via flow-down clauses.
- Engage with Lazarus Alliance to conduct a DFARS assessment.
What is CMMC, and how does it relate to NIST 800-171?
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is a DoD framework with three levels to verify contractor cybersecurity. CMMC Level 2 aligns with NIST 800-171’s 110 controls, requiring third-party assessments (C3PAO) for certification. It builds on DFARS 7012 requirements.
What is the CMMC to NIST 800-171 mapping?
CMMC Level 2 maps directly to NIST 800-171 Rev 2’s 110 controls, ensuring CUI protection. Level 1 aligns with FAR 52.204-21’s 15 basic controls for Federal Contract Information (FCI). Level 3 adds up to 35 NIST 800-172 controls. Mappings are available in NIST 800-171 Appendix D. Work with Continuum GRC to do this automatically for you.
How does NIST 800-171 differ from NIST 800-53?
NIST 800-171 focuses on protecting CUI in non-federal systems with 110 controls (Rev 2). NIST 800-53 is a broader framework for federal systems, with 421 controls across 20 families, used in FISMA and FedRAMP. NIST 800-171 is a subset of 800-53.
What is the NIST 800-171 self-assessment?
A NIST 800-171 self-assessment (Basic Assessment) involves scoring compliance with 110 controls using the DoD Assessment Methodology. Contractors submit a score (out of 110) to SPRS, with a POA&M for gaps. Scores below 110 require remediation plans.
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Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and NIST 800-171 Audit support framework. We are ready when you are!
Comprehensive Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and NIST 800-171 Compliance Audit Services
The DoD has mandated compliance! You gain manystrategic business advantagesby offering market differentiation and leadership showing others credible evidence of good practice. In addition to risk avoidance, a Lazarus Alliance Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and NIST 800-171 compliance audit will demonstrate due diligence in the event of legal action from breach of contract with the DoD.
Credentials You Can Count On
Department of Defense (DoD) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) CMMC Third Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO).
American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) ISO/IEC 17020 accredited certification number 3822.01.
Leveraging the Continuum GRC IT Audit Machine, Security Trifecta methodology, and the Policy Machine, Lazarus Alliance provides international standards that are recognized as “Best Practices” for developing organizational security standards and controls that support Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and NIST 800-171 based compliance audit certifications and assessments.