Today, a rising number of businesses are required to meet security regulations by federal partners, such as CMMC, NIST standards, and the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). Failing to abide by these regulations can not only lead to cybersecurity incidents, but also to failed audits and a loss of business opportunities.
Informal assessments and advisory services can help organizations to identify gaps in their cybersecurity posture and bring their practices into alignment with regulatory requirements. But proving compliance with federal regulations also requires businesses to undergo formal, periodic assessments by an authorized third-party.
As an ISO 17020:2012 accredited business, DataLock is able to perform the assessment you need to receive FedRAMP Authorization to Operate. We can also conduct formal assessments for NIST 800-171 and 800-53, which form the basis of CMMC.
Audit and Assessment Facts
- Periodic assessments are required for compliance with FedRAMP, NIST 800-171 and NIST 800-53
- Penetration testing by a third-party assessment organization (3PAO) is mandatory for FedRAMP and NIST 800-53 assessments
- In 2022, the minimum False Claims Act penalty has increased to $12,537
Audit and Assessment Services
- Discovery Phase – review documentation; interview relevant decision makers and government contacts to understand your organization's compliance requirements under federal mandates, and current status. Develop a security assessment plan (SAP) tailored for your business.
- Official Assessment – conduct an official assessment that meets federal requirements, including testing for technical controls across multiple families, in-depth penetration testing, and inventory of required artifacts.
- Reporting and Documentation – document the results of your official assessment, including non-compliant security controls, missing artifacts, and penetration test results. Prepare drafts of required documentation and reports.
- Remediation and Retesting - allow the client to remediate security gaps or other obstacles to compliance, and conduct additional tests to ensure that these issues are resolved.
- Submit Finalized Documentation – finalize documentation, such as security assessment report (SAR), Risk Exposure Table (RET) and penetration test results. Assist with submitting documentation to relevant agency contacts for review.
Key Audit and Assessment Benefits
- Better Compliance – our audits and assessments help you to ensure compliance with federal and industry-specific cybersecurity standards. We are a single point of contact for official assessments and ongoing guidance to help you maintain compliance and avoid expensive fines.
- Lower Costs – reduce the cost of self-assessment and expensive consultants. Our audit and assessments are not only affordable in the short term, but also reduce costs in the long term by uncovering the gaps that others will miss.
- Reduced Risk – protect your revenue and bottom line over the long term by eliminating the biggest risks to your data and sensitive assets; continual monitoring and compliance will not only prepare you for the cyber threats of today, but the cyber threats of tomorrow.
- Reputation and Trust – show existing customers and potential clients that you take the safety of their personal information and sensitive data seriously. Differentiate yourself from competitors by making a credible commitment to cybersecurity that goes beyond checking boxes.
- Achieve Your Mission – promote better efficiency, customer experience and long-term revenue by aligning your IT infrastructure with industry regulations, streamlining your compliance process and eliminating cybersecurity gaps that threaten long-term business resilience.