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The US Department of Defense has finalized a new cybersecurity rule requiring contractors to comply with its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, making it harder for private companies with lax cybersecurity practices to secure Pentagon contracts. The rule will take effect on November 9 and requires vendors to meet one of three levels of CMMC compliance based on the sensitivity of unclassified information they handle.
The US Department of Defense has finalized a new cybersecurity rule requiring contractors to comply with its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. The CMMC program sets out standards for contractors to meet in order to be eligible for DoD awards, including limits on sensitive data access and regular software updates. The new rule requires contracting officers to specify the applicable CMMC level in solicitations and ensure vendors have a current assessment or certification before awarding contracts. Contractors who fail to meet CMMC requirements may face penalties, including loss of classified information access or contract denials.
The US Department of Defense has taken a significant step towards enhancing the security of its defense industrial base (DIB) by finalizing a new cybersecurity rule that requires contractors to comply with its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. The move marks a major shift in the Pentagon's approach to ensuring the cybersecurity of sensitive information and is expected to have far-reaching implications for private companies seeking to secure contracts with the Department.
The CMMC program, which was made official in October 2022, sets out a series of standards that contractors must meet in order to be eligible for awards from the DoD. The program includes requirements such as limiting access to sensitive data, authenticating users with access, imposing physical security rules for facilities where US government data is stored, installing regular software updates, and reporting/remediating any incidents promptly.
In a move aimed at increasing transparency and accountability, the new rule requires DoD contracting officers to specify the applicable CMMC level in solicitations and ensure that only vendors with a current assessment or certification are awarded contracts. This will help to ensure that companies with lax cybersecurity practices do not secure contracts with the Pentagon.
The final rule was released as a preview ahead of its formal publication in the Federal Register on Wednesday, September 9, and will take effect on November 9. Contractors who fail to meet the requirements of the CMMC program may face penalties, including loss of access to classified information or denial of contract awards.
Acting DoD Chief Information Officer Katherine "Katie" Arrington stated that the department expects its vendors to put US national security at the top of their priority list and that compliance with cyber standards is essential for achieving this goal. "We expect our vendors to put U.S. national security at the top of their priority list," she said. "By complying with cyber standards and achieving CMMC, this shows our vendors are doing exactly that."
The development of the CMMC program was a collaborative effort between the DoD and industry partners, and the final rule reflects the feedback received from contractors during the public comment period. The revised version of the CMMC requirements includes provisions for a more flexible approach to compliance, such as allowing self-assessments in rare cases.
However, not all contractors have welcomed the new rule. Some vendors have objected to the requirements imposed on them through the CMMC program, citing concerns about the impact on their businesses and the costs associated with achieving compliance.
Despite these concerns, the DoD has emphasized that the CMMC program is essential for ensuring the security of sensitive information and protecting US national security interests. The department has stated that it will continue to work with industry partners to address any issues or concerns raised by contractors and ensure that the requirements of the CMMC program are implemented effectively.
In addition to the new cybersecurity rule, the DoD has also announced plans to increase its cybersecurity workforce and enhance its defenses against cyber threats. These efforts are part of a broader strategy aimed at improving the department's ability to protect US national security interests in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
The development of the CMMC program is just one aspect of this broader effort, and it reflects the DoD's recognition that cybersecurity is a critical component of modern defense operations. By enhancing the security of its defense industrial base, the Pentagon can help to ensure that sensitive information is protected and that US national security interests are safeguarded.
Overall, the finalization of the new cybersecurity rule represents a significant step forward for the DoD in its efforts to enhance the security of its defense industrial base. The move is expected to have far-reaching implications for private companies seeking to secure contracts with the Pentagon and reflects the department's recognition that cybersecurity is a critical component of modern defense operations.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Pentagons-New-Cybersecurity-Rules-A-Shift-in-the-Defense-Industrial-Base-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/09/09/new_cybersecurity_compliance_rules_dod/
Published: Tue Sep 9 16:15:32 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
