The DFARS 252.204-7012 clause establishes stringent guidelines for the safeguarding, disinfecting, and secure disposal of CUI. Accreditation is required for every firm that is a part of a robust Defense Industrial Base which serves as the US DoD’s supply chain. Audits can be performed by CMMC consulting Virginia Beach firms at any time, thus it is critical that any firm wishing to obtain requests for proposals (RFPs) as a defense contractor preparations ahead of time. This necessitates compliance with the NIST SP 171 rev 2 architecture, which comprises 14 control categories managing CUI protection.

A summary of the information lifecycle

Given the tendency of processing asset dematerialization, it is simple to disregard the significance of physical security. After all, even if it lives in a virtual computer in a massive data center, all data must be saved someplace on a physical device. Irrespective of where your data resides, it must be maintained all throughout entire lifespan, from the time it is generated until it is destroyed. In order to comply with DFARS 7012, all CUI must be held in the United States and supervised and secured until it is properly disposed of.

#1. Online storage

Ensuring physical security and data lifespan monitoring throughout cloud storage systems might be exceptionally difficult, simply because it is outside your capabilities. Whether you choose a hybrid, private, or public cloud, it is critical that the network operator provides you with the level of control you require to protect data across its lifespan and safely wipe it as needed. Every subcontractor and supplier must supply DFARS 7012-compliant storage options that allow you to keep complete control over the data.

#2. Direct-attached storage

Direct-attached storage (or DAS) relates to any storage device that is directly linked to the system, such as storage devices, solid-state drives, and external hard drives attached to USB ports. Although they are not as prevalent as they once were in the age of cloud technology, these mechanical storage systems provide some particular issues when it concerns to protecting data integrity and safely erasing data. Additionally, removable DAS devices like flash drives and other detachable media are vulnerable to loss or theft. At the conclusion of their lifespan, all DAS devices, internal and external, that hold CUI should be encrypted and safely destroyed in accordance with DoD guidelines.

#3. Network-attached storage (NAS)

Internal systems that are wholly allocated to data storage are known as network-attached storage (NAS) and storage area networks (SANs). They are frequently used for backup and archiving, and they typically employ standard hard drives owing to the low storage costs. One of the primary advantages of NAS or SAN platforms is that they allow for simple collaboration beyond the local network. They can also be linked to a wide-area network (WAN) to allow for file-sharing among subsidiaries and other off-site locations. However, the physical hard drives and other assets that comprise the system must be safeguarded and maintained in the same way as any other asset, integrating physical room-level protection, video security cameras, and technical measures such as complete disk encryption. Before implementing any protocol, it’s essential to hire CMMC consultant.

#4. Backup and archival media

Many large corporations still save data archives, including CUI, on outdated media such as tape backup and other portable devices. Data on such media must also be safeguarded and handled throughout its existence, which can be difficult due to incompatibility with more contemporary systems. As a result, many businesses are transferring their archives to newer systems, such as software-defined storage and hyper – converged storage, while securely retiring old decommissioned storage assets. However, there is still a compelling reason for preserving physical, localized copies of data under specific circumstances, in which case that data must be physically protected and completely destroyed once decommissioned.…