DFARS Compliance Services
DFARS Cybersecurity Requirements for Defense Contractors
Achieve DFARS compliance with comprehensive DFARS compliance services. These implement required cybersecurity controls for defense contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Miami Cyber delivers expert DFARS consulting implementing NIST 800-171 controls, incident reporting procedures, and supply chain security.
This ensures you meet DoD contract requirements and maintain eligibility.
Achieve DFARS compliance
The Defense Contractor Cybersecurity Mandate
Defense contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) must comply with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clauses 252.204-7012 and 252.204-7021. These clauses mandate implementation of NIST SP 800-171 security controls, incident reporting within 72 hours, and cyber incident damage assessments. Non-compliance prevents contract awards and can trigger termination of existing contracts.
The reality? DFARS requires 110 security controls across 14 families protecting CUI from unauthorized access and cyber incidents. Professional DFARS compliance services ensure you meet requirements efficiently while maintaining operational capability and contract eligibility.
Why DIY DFARS Compliance Falls Short
Without expert DFARS compliance services, defense contractors face:
Misunderstood NIST 800-171 requirements leading to gaps
Inadequate CUI identification and protection
Missing incident response and reporting procedures
Insufficient security assessment and documentation
Failed DoD assessments or contract audits
Contract ineligibility from non-compliance
What Happens Without DFARS Compliance Services
When DFARS compliance lacks professional management, contractors face serious consequences. DoD requires compliance attestation for new contracts. Non-compliant contractors cannot compete.
Existing contracts may be terminated for failure to meet cybersecurity requirements. Cyber incidents without proper reporting trigger investigations, penalties, and potential False Claims Act liability. Supply chain positions are lost when primes require DFARS compliance verification.
The consequences are severe:
Contract ineligibility preventing DoD contract awards
Existing contract termination for cybersecurity failures
Incident reporting violations triggering investigations
Supply chain exclusion from prime contractor requirements
False Claims Act liability for misrepresenting compliance
Financial losses from missed opportunities and emergency remediation
Expert DFARS Compliance Implementation
Miami Cyber's DFARS compliance services deliver complete implementation:
NIST 800-171 Assessment
Comprehensive assessment against 110 NIST 800-171 controls identifies compliance gaps, evaluates current security posture, and develops prioritized implementation roadmap meeting DFARS requirements.
Control Implementation & Documentation
Expert implementation of required security controls with System Security Plan (SSP) development, Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M), and comprehensive documentation. This meets DoD assessment requirements.
Incident Response & Reporting
Incident response procedures, 72-hour reporting implementation, and cyber incident damage assessment processes ensuring compliance with DFARS incident requirements protecting contractor liability.
Complete DFARS Compliance Services
Our DFARS compliance services include:
NIST 800-171 Gap Assessment
Comprehensive control evaluation
Detailed assessment of current security posture against all 110 NIST 800-171 controls. This identifies compliance gaps, validates existing controls, and determines implementation priorities.
CUI Identification & Protection
Controlled Unclassified Information handling
CUI identification procedures, marking requirements, storage controls, transmission security, and destruction processes ensuring proper protection of controlled information throughout lifecycle.
System Security Plan (SSP)
Required DFARS documentation
Development of comprehensive SSP documenting security controls, implementation details, responsible parties, and compliance status. This is required for DFARS attestation and DoD assessments.
Access Control Implementation
CUI access restrictions
Implementation of access controls limiting CUI access to authorized users, multi-factor authentication, least privilege principles, and session controls meeting NIST 800-171 requirements.
Incident Response & Reporting
72-hour reporting compliance
Incident response procedures, DoD Cyber Crime Center reporting within 72 hours, media preservation, and cyber incident damage assessment processes. This meets DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements.
Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M)
Gap remediation tracking
Development and management of POA&M documenting planned remediation of gaps with timelines, responsible parties, milestones, and tracking ensuring systematic compliance achievement.
Security Assessment & Testing
Control validation and verification
Security control testing, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and validation procedures. This demonstrates effective implementation of NIST 800-171 controls.
Supply Chain Risk Management
Contractor flow-down requirements
Supply chain security procedures, subcontractor flow-down clauses, and vendor compliance verification meeting DFARS supply chain cybersecurity requirements.
Why Choose Our DFARS Compliance Services
Unlike general cybersecurity consultants or compliance vendors without defense sector experience, Miami Cyber delivers DFARS compliance services. We combine deep NIST 800-171 expertise with practical defense contractor operations understanding.
We know DoD requirements and contractor realities. This ensures compliance meets standards without hindering mission delivery.
Our approach delivers:
- NIST 800-171 expertise across all 110 controls and 14 families
- Defense contractor operational understanding
- Efficient implementation minimizing operational disruption
- DoD assessment preparation and support
- Ongoing compliance management maintaining DFARS adherence
DFARS Compliance Services - Common Questions
DFARS compliance requires implementing NIST 800-171 controls and self-attesting compliance through Systems Security Plan (SSP) submission. CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) requires third-party assessment and certification by C3PAO assessors validating control implementation. DFARS applies now to all DoD contracts involving CUI: contractors must implement controls and attest compliance. CMMC will eventually replace self-attestation with required certification, but full CMMC implementation is phased over several years. Currently, contractors need DFARS compliance (NIST 800-171 implementation) for contracts. As CMMC rolls out, certification will become mandatory. Organizations achieving DFARS compliance are well-positioned for CMMC: both require the same 110 NIST 800-171 controls. Key difference is validation method: self-assessment for DFARS, third-party certification for CMMC.
DFARS compliance costs vary based on current security posture and environment complexity. Small contractors with existing security controls typically invest $15,000-35,000 for initial NIST 800-171 implementation plus $2,000-4,000 annually for ongoing management.
Medium contractors with significant gaps require $35,000-75,000 for comprehensive implementation. Large contractors or those with complex environments can exceed $75,000-150,000.
Costs include gap assessment, control implementation, SSP development, POA&M management, and incident response procedures. Unlike CMMC, DFARS doesn't require third-party assessment fees. Validation is self-attestation.
However, non-compliance costs more: contract ineligibility eliminates revenue opportunities. Cyber incidents without proper reporting trigger investigations and potential False Claims Act penalties far exceeding compliance investment.
DFARS clause 252.204-7012 requires contractors to report cyber incidents affecting CUI to DoD Cyber Crime Center within 72 hours. "Cyber incident" includes any actual or suspected unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction of CUI or contractor information systems. Reporting requirements include: incident description, affected CUI information, contractor point of contact, and initial assessment. Contractors must preserve and protect images of affected systems and media for 90 days after incident or until directed by DoD. Failure to report triggers compliance violations, contract implications, and potential False Claims Act liability. Proper incident response procedures identifying reportable events, initiating reporting within 72 hours, and conducting cyber incident damage assessments are critical DFARS compliance components.
DFARS compliance timeline depends on starting security posture and identified gaps. Contractors with existing security controls typically achieve compliance in 3-5 months. Those starting from minimal security baseline need 6-9 months.
Timeline includes: NIST 800-171 gap assessment (2-3 weeks), CUI identification and scoping (1-2 weeks), security control implementation (8-20 weeks depending on gaps), SSP development (3-4 weeks), POA&M creation for remaining gaps (1-2 weeks), and incident response procedure implementation (2-3 weeks).
Organizations can attest compliance with documented POA&M for gaps not yet remediated. Immediate perfect compliance isn't required, but systematic remediation plan is mandatory. Most contractors achieve attestable compliance within 90-120 days with ongoing remediation through POA&M.
Usually yes, though DFARS requires security enhancements and potentially environment segmentation. DFARS compliance services assess existing systems against NIST 800-171 requirements and recommend necessary modifications. Common enhancements include: implementing multi-factor authentication, enabling encryption for CUI at rest and in transit, deploying endpoint detection and response, enhancing logging and monitoring, restricting administrative access, and segmenting CUI environment from corporate networks. Complete system replacement is rarely necessary—typically 70-80% of infrastructure remains with security improvements. Proper CUI scoping is critical: only systems processing, storing, or transmitting CUI need full NIST 800-171 controls. Corporate email, HR systems, and other non-CUI systems can remain separate with basic security. Strategic architecture decisions minimize compliance scope while protecting CUI appropriately.
Ready to Achieve DFARS Compliance?
Stop risking contract eligibility from DFARS non-compliance. Let Miami Cyber's DFARS compliance services implement required NIST 800-171 controls, develop comprehensive documentation, and establish incident response procedures.
This ensures you meet DoD cybersecurity requirements and maintain contract eligibility. Whether you're achieving initial DFARS compliance or maintaining existing programs, our defense sector expertise ensures success.