Trying to wrap your arms around DFARS is like an amateur trying to wrestle an alligator. There’s so much to it and just when you think you have it under control, it slips out of your hands and you’re in danger.
As a security firm, we have seen so many practices struggle with this. We thought it might be helpful if we put together a list of the most common things we see.
Here are the top 5 reasons businesses struggle with DFARS compliance:
Challenge #1: Lack of Understanding
There are 2 issues we see in this scenario. The first is that they don’t understand what DFARS requires to be compliant. The second is that they don’t know what technology pieces are needed to deliver the solution. These issues cause businesses to either overspend on a solution or deploy a solution that doesn’t properly protect them.
Challenge #2: Cybersecurity is a Moving Target
The security measures you used two years ago will not protect you from the attacks of today. Cyber-attacks continue to evolve and become more sophisticated. In fact, studies show that a new virus is created every 4.2 seconds. Your security measures need the ability to adapt in order to defend against these changing attacks.
Challenge #3: Inadequate Budget
Behind every successful business, you will find a highly utilized and efficient technology solution. Unfortunately, in most businesses, technology is always the last place they invest money. Businesses are not investing enough in the stability and security of the technology that runs their business. This is one of the reasons that cybercrime is a trillion-dollar industry.
Challenge #4: Unqualified Resources
Most businesses think that because they have an IT guy, they are protected. Let’s look at that thought process from a different perspective. Your IT guy, whether in-house or 3rd party, is like a family doctor. They provide routine support, do basic maintenance, and are there to assess and treat many different minor issues. But just like your body, if you have a major issue (i.e. heart, brain, digestive system, etc.) you should go see a specialist. Like a medical specialist, a certified security specialist has additional training and expertise. They’re equipped to assess scenarios in a way that the average IT guy simply isn’t trained to see. Here is a list of the top 5 security certifications in the world. Your security expert should have at least one of these.
Challenge #5: Maintaining Compliance
Most businesses approach DFARS like its something they achieve. Like it’s a box they check off as being completed. But cybersecurity is not an objective, it’s a journey. The threats that we face will continue to change and evolve. As these threats grow, so must we. Survival depends on your ability to adapt security measures and pivot to address every subtle and significant nuance.
Solution
DFARS compliance can be an intimidating goal for a business. Figuring out where to start, what is required, and how much it’s going to cost are just a few of the things that businesses wrestle with.
But unfortunately, this is not something you can take lightly. Your security systems have to win every time, the attacker only has to win once.
Simple Plan IT takes all of the guesswork out of DFARS compliance. Our Cyber Secure service was created by our in-house team consisting of 2 Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSP), a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and is supported by certified Project Management Professionals (PMP). Our service starts with a detailed risk analysis. We then address everything needed to become and maintain DFARS compliance.
For those that are serious about cybersecurity, we’re able to do real-time monitoring with near-real-time remediation. Dedicated engineers in our private Security Operations Center (SOC) will watch your network in real-time. They will be looking for events that require more investigation, documentation, and remediation. Should and event occur, they will immediately execute upon a predetermined plan.
If you question whether your current strategy is adequate, we encourage you to give us a call. Our certified security experts can assist you in developing a plan that is right for you.
Thank you for your time and we look forward to helping you in the future.
