DFARS 7012 Compliance
Compliance with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Clause 252.204-7012, Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting, is not just a contractual obligation – it's essential for protecting sensitive national security information and maintaining your eligibility for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.
Understanding DFARS 7012: Protecting CDI
DFARS 7012 mandates specific cybersecurity standards and incident reporting procedures for defense contractors who handle Covered Defense Information (CDI). CDI is unclassified controlled technical information or other information, as described in the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Registry, that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls pursuant to and consistent with law, regulations, and Government-wide policies.
Implementation of NIST SP 800-171
Contractors must implement the security requirements outlined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations. This framework encompasses 110 security controls across 14 families, addressing areas such as access control, audit and accountability, configuration management, identification and authentication, incident response, and more.
Subcontractor Flow-Down
Prime contractors are responsible for ensuring that their subcontractors who handle CDI also comply with the requirements of DFARS 7012. This necessitates including specific clauses in subcontracts and verifying subcontractor compliance.
Cyber Incident Reporting
Contractors are required to rapidly report cyber incidents that affect CDI or the contractor's ability to perform contract requirements. This reporting must be done within 72 hours of discovery to the DoD through the designated reporting mechanism.
System Security Plan (SSP)
Contractors must develop and maintain a System Security Plan (SSP) that describes the system boundaries, the system environment, how the NIST SP 800-171 security requirements are implemented, and the responsibilities of individuals operating the system.
Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M)
For any NIST SP 800-171 security requirements that are not fully implemented at the time of assessment, contractors must develop and maintain a Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) outlining how and when these deficiencies will be addressed.
How Nexeris Can Help: DFARS 7012 Compliance
Navigating the complexities of DFARS 7012 and NIST SP 800-171 can be challenging. Nexeris offers comprehensive services designed to help defense contractors understand, implement, and maintain compliance, ensuring the security of your systems and your continued eligibility for DoD contracts.
DFARS 7012 Compliance Services
Comprehensive Compliance Review
- Gap Analysis of DFARS 7012 Requirements
- Documentation Review
- Technical Assessment
- Cyber Incident Response and Reporting
Remediation Planning and Implementation
- Policy and Procedure Development
- Technical Control Implementation
- System Security Plan (SSP) Development
- Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) Development
Subcontractor Compliance Management
- Contractual Language Review
- Subcontractor Assessment Support
Cybersecurity is an ongoing process. Nexeris can provide continuous monitoring, regular assessments, and updates to your security posture to ensure sustained compliance with evolving DFARS 7012 requirements.
"After trying other less effective options, Nexeris enabled our company to rapidly meet DFARS 7012 compliance requirements for our cloud-based platform."
"Nexeris provides risk and compliance support for our growing IT services company. Nexeris is sharp in every respect, from technical competence to communication and presentation. Their work is excellent."
"Nexeris helped our company to rapidly meet cybersecurity and compliance requirements during the due diligence process of a potential customer. The speed of delivery and quality of the work was exceptional. I highly recommend Nexeris for cybersecurity and compliance support."
Why Choose Nexeris for DFARS 7012 Compliance?
- Project Plan and Management
- Start in 24 Hours
- 90% Done For You Solutions
- $5k Refundable Audit Victory Guarantee
- C3PAO and Technology Partner Discounts
Ensure your organization is compliant with DFARS 7012. Contact Nexeris today for a consultation and learn how we can help you strengthen your cybersecurity posture and meet your contractual obligations.