Lockheed Martin and other prime contractors are contacting their suppliers and requesting a security status update; in many cases requesting a demonstration of compliance before the DOD November 30th deadline. If you’ve received this request, you’re not alone. We’re helping many of our clients demonstrate that they’re achieving the requirements and submit the requested documentation before the deadline set by primes.
When the new DFARS Interim Rule and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements were released at the end of September, we knew it would start to trickle down the supply chain. The primes heard the message loud and clear, and now suppliers do too. Lockheed Martin, for example, is requiring suppliers to complete a survey by November 5th so it can assess risk before the new rules take effect on November 30.
What is Required of Suppliers?
Suppliers must confirm their NIST 800-171 Assessment Score, provide a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) estimated completion date (ECD) for any unimplemented requirements, their status and ECD for an additional 20 CMMC practices, and their status and ECD for the CMMC Level 2 and 3 maturity processes. On top of that, suppliers have to provide updates on their progress until all practices and progress are implemented, as well as their “estimated date for closure of all NIST SP 800-171 POA&M items, and the expected closure date for the additional controls.”
The primes are hard at work getting a sense of where their supply chain stands before the interim rule takes effect and the CMMC requirements start showing up in RFIs, RFPs, and contracts.
Where Should You Go from Here?
Start with this overview of the DFARS interim rule, an FAQ on everything we do, and don’t know at this point, and steps you should take immediately to meet the requirements. We’re here to help and explain the rules in plain English. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to talk through a project plan or schedule for responding to these requests by the deadline.
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