The Department of Defense (DoD) has noted that cybersecurity requirements for the Department of Defense contractors will view the model as being in a “constant state of evolution” over the next few years, so what can contractors do to keep up with the current changes?

In late January, the Department of Defense released the final version of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC v. 1.0), outlining how contractors’ security regulations will shift with the new supplier cybersecurity compliance program.

As contractors have to adjust to the changing guidelines, it is crucial that they stay informed on the differences between the two programs. One of the most important changes to the model is that CMMC requires defense suppliers to be certified by CMMC assessors.

Katie Arringtion, chief information security officer for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and 2020 Wash100 Award winner, stated that the DoD will continually evaluate defense contractors’ certifications to profit from the return on investment.

“If it becomes a checklist, we have all failed,” said Arrington, It needs to become critical thinking about security and understanding that the threat today will not be the same threat that’s here a year or two years from now. And that we have to be constantly looking at how do we tweak? How do we bob? How do we weave?”

Arrington added that the DoD will continue to work with staff to develop the audit training. One of the challenges in creating the training guidelines is ensuring that it is simple and easy to understand. She stated that the agency has projected CMMC to be adopted internationally in 2020 and 2021.

With the federal government facing constantly evolving attacks on its supply chain, Arrington said that CMMC needs to be able to adjust to new challenges.

Register here for Potomac Officers Club’s CMMC Forum 2020 on Thursday, April 2nd.

Katie Arrington, chief information security officer at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and a 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, will serve as a keynote speaker at the CMMC Forum 2020. She will address the CMMC’s timeline, how the certification process could change and will provide a memorandum of understanding with a newly established CMMC accrediting body.

A full expert panel will include Ty Schieber, senior director of executive education and CMMC-AB chairman of the University of Virginia and Richard Naylor of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) among other members of the federal sector and industry.

Register here to join Potomac Officers Club for its CMMC Forum 2020 on April 2nd to learn about the impact DoD’s CMMC will have on cybersecurity practices, supply chain security and other aspects of the federal market.

Microsoft has partnered with Accenture to support entrepreneurs and start-up businesses that focus on social responsibility to help support technologies for social enterprises and build scalable business models, Microsoft announced on Wednesday. 

“It’s important that [an entrepreneur’s] passion for meaningful innovation and creating positive change is supported. Microsoft’s collaboration with Accenture offers us an opportunity to empower these startups so they can use technology to make an even greater impact in addressing many of the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Jean-Philippe Courtois, executive vice president and president, Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations.

The companies’ collaboration will provide businesses hands-on support and technologies to enhance its solutions and business models that can lead to more tangible benefits for a greater number of customers.

Microsoft and Accenture’s partnership will amplify the societal impact of emerging technology with the long-term goal of reaching a million lives globally, to meet the respective companies’ program goals.

Through the program, Microsoft Research India and Accenture Labs will help social enterprise startups test and validate proof-of-concepts; conduct design thinking sessions to help them re-envision the impact of their solutions; and provide support in exploring and using Microsoft technologies.

“Our experience shows that by applying emerging technologies to critical challenges facing society, we can accelerate social transformation. This collaboration is a great illustration of delivering on ‘value’ and ‘values’ — creating tangible business and social value while aligning with people’s values,” said Paul Daugherty, group chief executive-Technology and chief technology officer at Accenture

The companies have placed emphasis on agriculture, education and healthcare to meet their initiatives.  Under the partnership, the company will focus on startups in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, and integrate the MSR India Center for Societal impact through Cloud and Artificial Intelligence (SCAI).

Microsoft’s involvement in this initiative is part of Microsoft’s Global Social Entrepreneurship program designed to empower an ecosystem of tech-enabled startups globally, focused on addressing important social or environmental challenges. Accenture Labs’ Tech4Good program, centered around applying emerging technologies to help solve complex social challenges, will gain from the collaboration.

“By providing social impact entrepreneurs with direct access to the combined power of Accenture and Microsoft’s technology expertise, we can help significantly improve access, equality, inclusion, education, health, sustainability, and the environment,” added Daugherty.

About Microsoft India

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft set up its India operations in 1990. 

Today, Microsoft entities in India have over 10,000 employees, engaged in sales and marketing, research, development and customer services and support, across 11 Indian cities — Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. Microsoft offers its global cloud services from local data centers to accelerate digital transformation across Indian start-ups, businesses, and government organizations.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. 

We combine unmatched experience and specialized capabilities across more than 40 industries, powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. With 505,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture brings continuous innovation to help clients improve their performance and create lasting value across their enterprises.

Jacobs has been selected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide architecture and engineering design for the Korea Air Operations and Intelligence Center (KAOIC), the company announced on Wednesday.

"The new KAOIC modernizes command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (5CISR) and distributed common ground station functions currently at Osan Air Base in South Korea," said Jacobs President and COO Bob Pragada. 

After Jacobs completes KAOIC’s modernization effort, the center will oversee air operations and distributed common ground station weapon systems supporting the U.S. Forces Korea and the U.S. and Korea Combined Forces Command in defense of the Korean peninsula. 

Jacobs will develop the approximate 1 million-gross-square-foot facility, incorporating protective threat-based design. The new design will include multiple secure as well as non-secure work areas, and redundant systems

"The Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance is ironclad, and our Airpower capabilities have had a long history of deterring aggression on the Korean Peninsula," said Lt. Gen Ken Wilsbach, 7th Air Force commander. "This project demonstrates an everlasting commitment to preserving the terms of Armistice, promoting democracy, and providing security to the Republic of Korea and Northeast Asia."

One of the largest projects that is currently part of the U.S. Military Construction and Host Nation Funding Program, the USACE has estimated costs at $605 million. Jacobs, under the project, will its global secure buildings portfolio. The selection will also strengthen the company’s position supporting the U.S. Defense and Intelligence programs in the Asia Pacific region.

About Jacobs 

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. 

With $13 billion in revenue and a talent force of approximately 52,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. 

Parsons has partnered with Adaptive Launch Solutions (ALS) for launch and space system engineering, operations and integration opportunities with the U.S. government and commercial customers, Parsons announced on Wednesday.

“United States government organizations and commercial companies are realizing the benefits from advancements made in small and mid- size satellite capabilities,” stated Phil Smith, chief executive officer of ALS. “Together ALS and Parsons will help our customers meet their program objectives and achieve their business plans by providing reliable, responsive launch integration.”

Aarish Gokaldas, executive vice president of the Parsons Space and Geospatial Solutions market, noted that Parsons will integrate scalable,  end-to-end launch operations to optimize the space mission. The company will collaborate with ALS to develop a strategic plan and create new hardware solutions.

Additionally, the  partnership will integrate an expansive payload and separation in orbit. Parsons and ALS will merge efforts to develop more options for launch and simplify the process included in vehicle systems interfaces.

Parsons and ALS are both on the U.S. Space Force Launch Manifest Systems Integrator (LMSI) program, with Parsons serving as the prime contractor. The Parsons and ALS team successfully completed the first launch as part of the LMSI program in August 2019. The second launch is scheduled for March 2020.

“The combination of Parsons and ALS will continue unlocking the potential of the space domain for our customers,” said Gokaldas.

Along with the launch partnership, Parsons has become increasingly involved in space research and development. In Jan. 2020,  the company received a task order from the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide cybersecurity support for government-owned space defense platforms.

Under the task order, the company will develop secure architectures, engineer and integrate systems and assess cyber risks  in a push to help customers avoid cyber attacks on national space infrastructure. Parsons noted its experience in cyber development, information assurance and multidomain operations can help GSA to address the federal government’s security requirements.

About Parsons

Parsons (NYSE: PSN) is a leading disruptive technology provider in the global defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, and smart cities. Please visit parsons.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn how we’re making an impact.