The position of CISO is not an enviable one. Modern CISOs face enormous challenges like managing the complexity of on-prem and cloud environments, being responsible for the actions of thousands of employees without having authority over them, being perceived as a drag on growth and other resources, and trying to keep up in a compliance and technology landscape that just keeps changing. Oh and budget? Limited and scrutinized.

The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement, better known as DFARS, has significance for contractors working with the Department of Defense (DoD). Our intention is to offer a comprehensive perspective on DFARS in the context of cybersecurity, its various clauses, and the intricacies of maintaining compliance as these rules constantly shift and change over time.

We’ve talked a lot about FedRAMP, CMMC, and the typical business/contractor security controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171, but these aren’t the only elements of cybersecurity that the government wants enforced. There are also the DISA STIGS to follow. What are they, do they apply to you, and how can you follow them?

When it comes to cybersecurity governance, 2023 stood out as one of the most eventful in a very long time. With everything from the enactment of stronger new cybersecurity regulations around incident disclosure from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to significant changes afoot for financial and cloud services providers operating within the European Union, many companies worldwide will be called to adjust to a new normal in 2024.

Navigating the regulatory standards within Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) demands a nuanced understanding of the evolving landscape shaped by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other regulatory bodies. These standards serve as pillars for upholding the stability and transparency of the financial industry. Over recent years, this sector has witnessed a transformative journey in regulatory frameworks, reflecting the dynamic nature of finance.

AI and cybersecurity are top strategic priorities for companies at every scale — from the teams using the tools to increase efficiency all the way up to board leaders who are investing in AI capabilities.

With the recent surge of high-profile data breaches, supply chain vulnerabilities (SolarWinds, Log4j, and MOVEit, most notably), and targeted cyberattacks, the digital world is becoming increasingly precarious. At the same time, consumers are increasingly sharing sensitive data with companies in exchange for convenience and efficiency. For these reasons, organizations have a growing responsibility to not only avoid breaches, but safeguard their users’ data.

In response to the growing number of malicious actors that have managed to exploit cybersecurity vulnerabilities and cause irreparable damage to organizations, governments worldwide have decided to intervene, recognizing a need for a systematic approach to safeguarding national assets. Helping to lead the way in this institutionalized effort is the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). ‍

On December 26, 2023 the Department of Defense (DoD) unveiled the long-anticipated Proposed Rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program, sending a clear message to defense contractors that CMMC is happening sooner than many thought, and that those taking a “wait and see” attitude can no longer wait to prepare.

In the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, organizations are constantly striving to enhance their defenses against organized malicious actors. As cyber attacks become more advanced, regulatory bodies have created and enforced compliance requirements to ensure that organizations protect sensitive data and systems. One groundbreaking solution that can help your organization meet these challenges is Extended Detection and Response, known as XDR.