Microsoft Security Copilot and NIST 800-171
Microsoft Security Copilot can help commercial businesses in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) meet the security requirements of NIST 800-171r3 and prepare for CMMC 2.0. Features and benefits of Security Copilot, such as automated threat detection, real-time alerts, advanced analytics, attack path analysis, and natural language explanations can improve the productivity and accuracy of security analysts. Explore how companies in the DIB may use these AI-powered capabilities to meet NIST 800-171r3 security requirements, detect and respond to threats more efficiently, and ultimately defend against threats with finite or limited resources.Microsoft Reference Identity Architectures for the US Defense Industrial Base
The white paper “Microsoft Reference Identity Architectures for the US Defense Industrial Base” is the result of deep collaboration among the National Defense ISAC "MSCloud" Working Group. It provides the group’s consensus on common challenges coupled with guidance on potential ways to overcome those challenges.Understanding Compliance Between Commercial, Government, DoD & Secret Offerings - Feb 2025 Update
Understanding compliance between Commercial, Government, DoD & Secret Offerings: There remains much confusion as to what service supports what standards best. If you have CMMC, DFARS, ITAR, FedRAMP, CJIS, IRS and other regulatory requirements and you are trying to understand what service is the best fit for your organization then you should read this article.Virtual Conference Focused on CMMC and Microsoft's US Sovereign Cloud
Thursday, February 04, 2021, 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM (CST) This third installment of the Cloud Security and Compliance Series (CS2) Virtual series is curated for DoD contractors looking to meet cybersecurity regulations, address security threats, and glean best practices for their Microsoft cloud investments. Many previous speakers include Richard Wakeman (Microsoft), Katie Arrington (OUSD), and several CMMC AB board members. Next month CS2 will host Rima Reyes, Dave Jennings and Morne Pretorius of the Teams GCC / GCC High / DoD product group as well as Matt Soseman, Microsoft Sr Architect focused on Microsoft Defender and applications for CMMC. See below for the full set of speakers. Join us for this ongoing informational series to cover best practices for CMMC, DFARS 7012 and the DFARS Interim Rule, NIST 800-171 compliance, CUI and ITAR data management, Audit Preparations, Cloud Management and other security topics.CMMC Compliance with Azure Sentinel
Often the purpose of a Security Information & Event Management software product (SIEM) like Microsoft's Azure Sentinel can be misunderstood. In this blog, Azure Sentinel will be discussed in terms of capabilities and importance for CMMC compliance and an ideal cloud security strategy. Azure Sentinel became generally available on March 13, 2020, and charges for the service started April 1, 2020. Sentinel can pull log data at no cost for Incident Response from AWS CloudTrail, Azure Activity Logs, Office 365/Microsoft 365 Audit Logs (all SharePoint activity and Exchange admin activity) and alerts from Microsoft Threat Protection products (Azure Security Center, Office 365 ATP, Azure ATP, Microsoft Defender ATP, Microsoft Cloud App Security, Azure Information Protection).Why Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) & ATP are Necessary for NIST Compliance
In a 2018 report provided by the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), researchers found companies “severely underestimate(d) the costs of becoming compliant by as much as a factor of 10”. The burden of compliance is significant yet important, and businesses are considering ways to secure their information systems without breaking the bank. One area of cost savings at first glance: email only users. These individuals will likely only need a corporate email, which would reasonably lead IT leadership to purchase an Exchange Only license and carry on. However, we advise contractors purchase Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) and Enterprise Mobility + Security (EM+S) in addition to their Exchange license as a best practice for NIST 800-171 compliance. Without the proper understanding of NIST compliance requirements, it is easy to misinterpret the need for ATP & EM+S licensing. It is also reasonable to think consultants are trying to make a quick dollar by upselling. Assuming these individuals are not entirely self-serving, let’s dive into this a little more using a friendly campfire analogy. S’mores. Purchasing an Exchange Only license is like having a s’more without the marshmallow & the graham. The marshmallow & the graham are necessary for the security and protection of the chocolate. They are the quintessential vessels that encompass and bring cohesion to the s’more as a whole. S’more explanation below.DIB Embraces Cloud PCs: Streamlined Compliance, Risk Mitigation, and Cost Savings
Aerospace and Defense Distributor Embraces Cloud PCs: Streamlined Compliance, Risk Mitigation, and Cost Savings Jaco Aerospace holds a pivotal role in the aerospace and defense industry. As a distributor, they serve a remarkably diverse clientele, including the Defense Industrial Base, airlines, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations, general aviation, space exploration, rocketry, satellites, supersonic aircraft, lunar landers, Air-Taxi initiatives, and Defense Technology companies. This diversity brings heightened responsibilities, especially in meeting stringent compliance requirements. Beyond the standard distributor regulations, they have to adhere to rigorous standards such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Defense (DoD), AS9120, and the DoD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). For a detailed breakdown of these requirements, check out their whitepaper here. Early Adoption of Cloud PCs Jaco Aerospace was an early adopter of cloud technology, transitioning their operations to Cloud PCs in February 2022. They recognized the transformative potential of cloud computing for IT infrastructure and firmly believe traditional PCs will soon become a thing of the past. By integrating Cloud PCs, they enhanced their AS9120-certified quality system, prioritizing risk reduction. The decision to migrate to the cloud in a post-COVID-19 world has unlocked numerous benefits, including: Enhanced Compliance Their operating environment meets the requirements of CMMC Level 1 (self-attestation). The straightforward in-house implementation enabled them to achieve and maintain compliance with ease. Robust Cybersecurity Cloud PCs help mitigate cybersecurity risks by enabling granular control over user permissions through conditional access policies. For example, they restrict most users' access to Microsoft apps on mobile devices, ensuring sensitive data remains secure. Consistent User Experience With Cloud PCs, they deliver a uniform user experience across the organization, improving productivity and streamlining workflows for all team members. Cost Savings The reduced need for IT-related user interactions and minimal hardware changes translate to significant cost savings in both the short and long term. Increased Connectivity Employees benefit from breakneck internet speeds when connecting to Cloud PCs, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted workflows. Furthermore, as they use Microsoft Teams for all phone communication, this speed results in high-quality calls not always found in their legacy VOIP solutions. Scalable Resources Cloud PCs allow them to dynamically scale memory and RAM based on individual user requirements, providing flexibility and operational efficiency. Simplified Scalability for Growth As their business grows, onboarding new employees is seamless. In rare employee departures, they can quickly offboard them and repurpose their equipment, ensuring a smooth transition. Risk Mitigation in Action The benefits of risk mitigation are often challenging to quantify, but recent events provided a clear example of its value. Their Valencia headquarters was in an evacuation zone during the Southern California wildfires. Thanks to their cloud infrastructure, employees swiftly transitioned to working from home by taking their thin client devices. Jaco Aerospace was required to maintain uninterrupted operations as a critical part of the Defense Industrial Base during COVID-19. At that time, the absence of a cloud-based system posed significant IT challenges. In contrast, during the wildfire evacuation, their team experienced just a one-hour disruption before resuming full operations—a stark difference that underscores the agility enabled by Cloud PCs. Looking Ahead At Jaco Aerospace, they see Cloud PCs (Windows 365) as a cornerstone of their future, enabling them to stay agile, secure, and ready to tackle any challenges that come their way. Whether it’s meeting stringent compliance requirements or ensuring seamless business continuity during unexpected events, their transition to the cloud has proven to be an invaluable asset. With the upcoming release of Microsoft’s Windows 365 Link, companies shifting to a Cloud PC environment will benefit from its affordability and the streamlined process of embracing this forward-looking technology. As the industry evolves, they remain dedicated to adopting innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and deliver unparalleled value to their customers.Microsoft Copilot for Security and NIST 800-171: Access Control
The second blog in this series will dive into the very first requirement family - Access Control (3.1) - and how organizations may deploy Microsoft Copilot for Security (Security Copilot) to meet the requirements entailed. This requirement family is arguably one of the most paramount because of the remarkable growth in identity-based attacks and the need for identity architects and teams to work more closely with the Security Operations Center (SOC). Microsoft Entra data noted in the Microsoft Digital Defense Report shows the number of “attempted attacks increased more than tenfold compared to the same period in 2022, from around 3 billion per month to over 30 billion. This translates to an average of 4,000 password attacks per second targeting Microsoft cloud identities [2023]”.Microsoft Modern Work, Security, and Surface Evangelist to Speak at Upcoming Cloud Security Event
The Cloud Security and Compliance Series (CS2) is the go-to event for DoD contractors leveraging the Microsoft Cloud who are looking to prepare for CMMC / DFARS compliance; specifically, CS2 sessions will equip those in the Microsoft Gov Cloud with knowledge for CMMC assessment preparations because of the recent submission of the CMMC ruling.
