Even if you specialize in cybersecurity, your in-house IT likely will not meet strict government standards. If you aren’t NIST compliant, for instance, most bids will be rejected automatically. IT compliance isn’t optional anymore – you need to be compliant with key security standards, and the best way to do this is to partner with a managed services provider (MSP) with a documented track record of security compliance like VersaTrust.
What Do You Need to be Compliant?
There are two key cybersecurity compliance standards businesses need to be compliant with when handling government and DOD projects. These are:
While NIST SP 800-171 compliance is often required for handling controlled unclassified information (CUI), CMMC compliance is mandatory for DoD contractors and subcontractors. Under Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7012, a documented and audited security compliance trail is necessary.
Why Compliance is Important
Most companies that have in-house IT support don’t have the capabilities to navigate NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC requirements. Even many managed IT providers lack the specialized knowledge required to successfully achieve and maintain CMMC compliance.
This is why it’s so important to work with a fully compliant IT services provider like VersaTrust. As your security partner, the MSP you work with has access to your documents, sensitive data, and CUI. Compliance, in this case, isn’t just about meeting specific government needs for projects. It’s also about working with a partner who has the qualifications, knowledge, and care to ensure data is secure and you remain compliant.
What about CMMC Compliance?
While NIST SP 800-171 is often required, CMMC compliance is mandatory for working on DOD projects. Unlike previous NIST compliance frameworks that allowed for self-attestation, CMMC aims for a more stringent and audited compliance approach to improve security across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
The CMMC is not the same as NIST
A common misconception is that the CMMC is the same as NIST. This is not true. The CMMC was built to address the shortcomings of poor NIST compliance after U.S. government contractors were repeatedly hit with cyberattacks and data breaches they weren’t prepared to handle. The Department of Defense introduced the CMMC to ensure compliance at every level of the supply chain in the defense industrial base (DIB).
Remember: the CMMC isn’t optional
Unlike NIST, CMMC requirements are mandatory if you want to work on DOD projects. Your IT team will need a certificate of compliance, or you’ll need to work with a fully compliant MSP. This is where VersaTrust can bridge the gap between your in-house security and the CMMC’s requirements.
From Compliance to Accelerated Revenue
When your business has the capabilities and experience to deliver results on U.S. government projects, compliance with regulations should not hold you back. When you partner with VersaTrust, you are engaging a trusted Fort Worth IT services provider that has proven expertise helping businesses navigate complex DoD compliance requirements, NIST and CMMC. We have a well-documented compliance process that’s in full alignment with NIST and the more stringent CMMC provisions.
Through our work with VersaTrust, we were able to position our company to bid against much larger entities, securing highly lucrative contracts, resulting in an immediate exponential growth of 166% in quarterly revenue.
– Leading Fort Worth Manufacturing Company
At VersaTrust, we work with you to continually improve IT compliance over time as your business grows so that compliance issues will never be a roadblock in securing new projects.
Reach out today at (817) 859-7140! Let’s get on a consultation call to talk about how VersaTrust can help you navigate DOD and U.S. government IT compliance regulations.
