What is DFARS Compliance?
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) compliance refers to a series of cybersecurity regulations created by the Department of Defense (DoD) for suppliers and contractors who work externally. The goal behind these standards is to protect classified information and maintain a strong defense against security threats. Below, you’ll find more information on DFARS, how it influences the work of suppliers and contractors like Gateway Cable Company, and what these regulations require.
More About DFARS Compliance
To address possible cybersecurity threats, private government contractors and non-federal organizations must continuously reevaluate the safety of their internal IT systems. This is essentially the reason for DFARS compliance. The Defense Acquisition Federal Regulation Supplement was published in December 2015 by the DoD. DFARS aims to uphold cybersecurity standards based on the requirements put forth by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
When DFARS was initially created, DoD contractors and suppliers were given until December 31, 2017 to become DFARS compliant. Going forward, DoD contractors and suppliers are required to prove to the DoD that they meet these standards. Organizations that fail to do so will likely lose their contracts with the DoD.
What Are the DFARS Compliance Requirements?
Generally, the cybersecurity requirements laid out in the DFARS are reasonable and easy to understand. Here’s an overview of what’s expected of DoD contractors and suppliers:
- Establish Suitable Security: It’s critical for DoD contractors and suppliers to ensure proper security measures are taken to safeguard internal IT systems from unauthorized users. DFARS outlines 14 groups of security requirements for adequate information security.
- Report Security Threats: Security threats should be reported to the DoD, and full cooperation should be given to help reach a resolution and prevent similar incidents from reoccurring in the future.
To become DFARS compliant, an organization is required to pass a readiness exam based on NIST SP 800-171 guidelines, which deal with everything from access control and maintenance to risk assessment and incident response.
Learn More About DFARS from Gateway Cable Company
At Gateway Cable Company, we strive to exceed all DFARS expectations held for DoD suppliers and contractors. In addition to being DFARS compliant, we offer a wide selection of products that meet MIL-SPEC and MIL-PRF standards, which were created by the DoD for improved reliability and uniformity. Contact us if you have questions about our products or NATO Stock Numbers, or if you have a specific product in mind, request a quote online!