The Federal Information Protection Standard (FIPS) is a software encryption standard produced by the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). MSSP offering IT services for government contractors are well-versed with FIPS and its deployment.
NIST has received a platform that employs FIPS verified cryptography for verification and accreditation. Furthermore, every time the system vendor upgrades the platform, it must be re-submitted to NIST for approval. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) keep a database of FIPS-approved cryptographic systems.
NIST ensures that a vendor’s platform functions correctly and that all information in route is FIPS encrypted when a supplier uploads their platform.
NIST is steadily moving away from FIPS 140-2 and toward FIPS 140-3.
How to know if the system is already FIP compliant?
While there are several causes for noncompliance with security measures, there are two primary technical reasons why your current systems may be non-compliant.
To safeguard data “at rest” or “in transit,” the platform does not employ FIPS-certified encryption.
It is a cloud solution in which data is not limited to the 48 contiguous United States.
Encryption is the first need of a compatible platform. There is nothing you can do to make the platform compatible if it lacks the technical capabilities. Even if a system is naturally FIPS compliant, it must be configured appropriately.
Many cloud approaches are ineffective. Data must escape the 48 united States under ITAR. One argument Google’s commercial G Suite solution is not compliant is because of this. A cloud system must have a FedRAMP Authorization granted by the US government to be functional. Another option is to use a data center in the United States to house your data on your private network.
You may be utilizing a commercial platform that is not compatible as is, but the same system may be accessible in a compliant business version. As a result, you should think about updating. However, this may not be the most cost-effective approach to achieving compliance.
Which systems are already compliant?
GCC High is one kind of solution designed to be compliant if correctly set up.
It’s vital to note that, in practice, nothing is compliant out of the box; setup has a significant role. You may already have systems and procedures that can be modified to conform to design or process modifications.
One often asked question is on the compliance of a certain platform, such as “Is Office 365 NIST 800-171 compliant?” It may be, based on how it’s set up.
Some platforms may bring you almost there but leave out one or two security measures. For instance, the O365 E3 system fulfills all DFARS 252.204-7019 requirements except forensic analysis. Thus, one should hire an IT solutions and services company that is expert in cybersecurity.
There are task-specific solutions with built-in adherence (for example, NIST-certified file sharing tools), but before installing any software application, take a step back to check if it corresponds with your lifecycle strategy.
Using Technology and Processes to Prevent CUI
There are platforms that can comply with the CMMC compliance criteria. However, contrary to what some suppliers may claim, there is no plug-and-play solution.
Instead, a lifecycle strategy is required.
- Administration (Policies and Procedures)
Set your security procedures and authorized CUI control processes.
- IT Management (Design and Operations)
Setup and configure your IT platforms per your organization’s policies, authorized processes, and procedures.
- Auditing, reporting, and monitoring
Evaluate and analyze your processes regularly.
- Validation
Conduct a management assessment and policy review at least once a year.
Everything revolves around the security control lifecycle.
Compliance is determined by two factors: data at repose and data in motion (where data = Controlled Unclassified Information).
Email is an essential part of compliance. For instance, if a worker can send a document to their Email address (which is beyond your control), that information is now vulnerable and might result in sanctions or income loss.
Compliance is the means of mitigating such risk. The DoD is addressing the threat to CUI with the shift to CMMC by making enterprises participating in government supply chains liable for CUI protection.…