System Security Plans are the single most fundamental documents underpinning cybersecurity compliance for defense contractors. But even after nearly 40 years of using SSPs for federal information systems there are essentially zero examples of what good looks like. Thankfully NIST is revising SP 800-18 guidance on developing SSPs and wants your comments. This is a crash course on SSPs so you can get caught up before the July 30th comment deadline.

Pathfinder 101: https://www.summit7.us/pathfinder

Pathfinder Demo: https://youtu.be/JiDTCchfCa0?si=JJFplxSfvkaRVhRo

DFARS 7008: https://youtu.be/vgrRGIWboKc?si=g4vc5bKG6Y6G-DDo

DFARS 7012: https://youtu.be/cy4e28YAkXU?si=ImBm-iI6mh3Xs1sF

DFARS 7019: https://youtu.be/7gW_82Cus7Y?si=LxB__5jeSuJMoL5C

NIST SP 800-18r2: https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/18/r2/ipd#:~:text=NIST%20Special%20Publication%20800%2D18r2,and%20mission%2Fbusiness%20process%20requirements.

NIST SP 800-18r1: https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/18/r1/final

The History of CMMC: https://youtu.be/jbY2irZ1ePg?si=_Ay66UqRUU9ShhJV

The CMMC program has been in-effect for six months and hundreds of early adopters have achieved CMMC Level 2 status. Today we speak with Fernando Machado, managing principal at Cybersec Investments, an authorized C3PAO. Fernando has completed 25 CMMC Level 2 assessments and he has a ton of valuable takeaways to share.

Pathfinder 101: https://www.summit7.us/pathfinder

Pathfinder Demo: https://youtu.be/JiDTCchfCa0?si=JJFplxSfvkaRVhRo

Fernando (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-machado-cissp-cism-cca-ccp-5b5581124/

Fernando pod (Dec 2024): https://youtu.be/KKJtW4G44WA?si=qzAnzp7_VrCl2Rdu

We're back to basics this week with DFARS provision 252.204-7019. SPRS scores? DIBCAC High assessments? DoD Assessment Methodology? It all started in 2020 with a humble four paragraph provision that was overshadowed by CMMC 1.0. These days the Department of Justice is settling False Claims Act lawsuits for millions and defense contracts aren't getting renewed all thanks to the DFARS cyber provision everyone loves to forget.