Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024: Why It’s Crucial for DoD Contractors


National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) could not have come at a more appropriate time for DoD contractors. With the 32 CFR final rule going into effect any day now, marking the beginning of CMMC becoming an official DoD program, now is a great time for IT professionals to talk with their leadership to ensure compliance. Cybersecurity Awareness Month offers an opportunity for contractors to ensure they will be able to pass an audit next year.

What Is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

National Cyber security Awareness Month was launched in 2004 by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Department of Homeland Security to raise awareness and create resources to help private sector partners stay safe online. Each year, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month helps Americans access secure online safety resources to safeguard themselves from evolving cyber threats.

The primary goal of Cybersecurity Awareness Month is to raise awareness for both the public and private sectors about common cyber risks and provide actionable steps for mitigating them. For critical industries like defense and other federal agencies, Cybersecurity Awareness Month can serve as a dedicated month to raise awareness of employees’ duties. This ensures organizations adhere to the latest cybersecurity standards, such as CMMC, to reduce risks from increasingly sophisticated attacks.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month for DoD Contractors in 2024

With many organizations already in the final stages of preparing for CMMC, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is especially relevant for defense contractors. There are a few different things that IT professionals can do that both raises awareness, as well as meet some of the NIST 800-171 requirements:

  • 3.6.3 Test the organizational incident response capability: conduct a tabletop exercise

  • 3.2.2 Ensure that personnel are trained to carry out their assigned information security-related duties and responsibilities: most companies do at least annual training, but this is also a great time to conduct mock interviews of employees to ensure they understand their responsibilities

  • 3.11.1 Periodically assess the risk to organizational operations (including mission, functions, image, or reputation), organizational assets, and individuals, resulting from the operation of organizational systems and the associated processing, storage, or transmission of CUI: conduct a Risk Assessment

  • 3.12.1 Periodically assess the security controls in organizational systems to determine if the controls are effective in their application: if you haven’t updated your SPRS score in over a year, this is a great time to do so


The Growing Cybersecurity Threat Landscape in 2024

Cybersecurity Awareness Month underscores the importance of staying safe online as cyberattacks on defense contractors continue to rise. For contractors, this month offers a timely opportunity to evaluate their security posture, ensuring compliance with CMMC and safeguarding against online threats targeting the defense sector.

Cyberattacks Targeting the Defense Industry

  • The average cost of a data breach in the defense sector is $5.46 million.

  • Defense organizations spend an average of $2.2 million per year on cybersecurity.

  • The defense sector experiences an average of 20 targeted cyber attacks per month.

Why DoD Contractors Are High-Value Targets

DoD contractors are particularly attractive to cybercriminals and hostile foreign entities due to the sensitive and valuable defense-related information they handle. Contractors often work with classified or sensitive information, which includes military plans, weapon system designs, and proprietary technologies. This makes them prime targets for espionage, intellectual property theft, and disruptive attacks by state-sponsored hackers seeking to weaken national security.

A breach in a contractor’s systems can provide adversaries with access to critical data, which could compromise defense strategies or provide a competitive advantage in global markets. Failure to secure this information not only risks severe data breaches but can also result in the loss of government contracts, fines, and reputational damage.

The Importance of Securing the Supply Chain: Why Suppliers Are Increasingly Targeted

Small businesses are often targeted by cybercriminals because they are seen as the weaker link in the defense supply chain. While larger DoD contractors may have more robust cybersecurity defenses in place, smaller suppliers may not have the same resources, making them more vulnerable to attacks. Cybercriminals exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive defense information through less secure third-party networks.

This is why it’s crucial for companies to flow down cybersecurity compliance requirements, such as CMMC, throughout their entire supply chain. By ensuring that all suppliers adhere to the same stringent cybersecurity standards, companies can better protect their own operations, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and maintain compliance with DoD regulations. This also mitigates the risk of costly breaches and helps secure valuable defense-related data at all levels of the supply chain.


The Role of CMMC Compliance in Strengthening Cybersecurity

What Is CMMC and Why Is It Essential for DoD Contractors?

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a new certification requirement that will be in DoD contracts next year. There are three different levels of CMMC each with differing requirements. Which level an organization will need to achieve will be determined by their prime contractor or contracting officer based on what information the organization handles.

There are two different CMMC rules at different points in the rulemaking process:

  • 32 CFR Rule implements the CMMC program

  • 48 CFR Rule puts CMMC into contracts

The 32 CFR Rule will be final implemented later this year. At that time, CMMC audits can begin and organizations will be able to get their CMMC certificate. This is all before CMMC is officially in contracts (48 CFR Rule) which will occur next year.

In preparation of CMMC officially being in contracts next year, prime contractors are expected to make this a requirement throughout their supply chain in Q1 of next year.

Partnering with a CMMC-Compliant IT Managed Service Provider

Collaborating with a CMMC-compliant IT managed service provider (MSP) can help organizations that do not have the internal resources to meet the 320 CMMC compliance requirements. Many organizations do not have the resources needed on staff to protect government data and secure online critical infrastructure from cyber criminals.

By leveraging the resources and capabilities of a CMMC-compliant MSP, contractors can gain access to advanced security solutions, reduce the burden of internal cybersecurity management, and ensure ongoing compliance with CMMC requirements. This partnership can significantly enhance a contractor’s cybersecurity posture and mitigate the risks associated with cybersecurity threats.


Conclusion: Cybersecurity for DoD Contractors Is a Must in 2024

In today’s world, conducting cybersecurity awareness training and reminding people to have strong passwords just isn’t enough anymore. Instead of going through the same generic cybersecurity awareness month training, organizations with these compliance requirements must take a more proactive approach to safeguard their DoD contracts.

As a leading CMMC-compliant IT managed service provider, FirstCall Federal is dedicated to helping DoD contractors meet their cybersecurity obligations. Our team of cybersecurity experts offers a comprehensive range of services, including:

  • CMMC Assessment and Certification: We conduct thorough assessments to identify gaps in your defenses and assist in achieving CMMC certification.

  • Threat Detection and Response: Our advanced monitoring tools and incident response capabilities help protect your organization in case of a cyber incident.

  • Cybersecurity Awareness Training: We provide tailored cybersecurity education programs to help your employees stay safe online and avoid potential threats.

  • Compliance Management: Through a collaborative effort, we ensure that your organization remains compliant with CMMC requirements through ongoing monitoring and support.

By partnering with FirstCall Federal, you gain the resources to confidently navigate the complexities of CMMC compliance and strengthen your defenses. Let us be your trusted advisor on your journey to achieving a secure and compliant digital environment.

Published On: October 3rd, 2024 / Categories: CMMC /

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