Prioritizing Cybersecurity Efforts
On December 31, 2017, it became mandatory that businesses contracting with the Department of Defense comply with DFARS Clause 252.204-7012 (Safeguarding Covered Defense Information). This is a complicated way of saying small businesses working with the Department of Defense need to start prioritizing cybersecurity efforts if they expect to continue obtaining federal contracts. Implementation of the NIST SP 800-171 standards have served as the guide with which businesses should comply.
Since December, more and more tools have been developed to help achieve this important – though challenging – benchmark in a business. Today we are sharing the newest of those tools. This step by step matrix walks you through each of the criteria, assigning level of importance and sharing methods of implementation. While right now this is guidance specifically for businesses contracting with the Department of Defense, these are practical and comprehensive steps any business should implement to protect itself from cyber threats. Use this tool as a checkpoint for your business operations.
And remember, the Idaho SBDC can be your no-cost, confidential resources for small business assistance in cybersecurity issues. Don’t wait until you are found out of compliance or get hacked, contact us today.
