SMB - Defense Industrial Base (DIB)

DIB-Specific Resources Businessdefense.gov - National Defense Industrial Strategy 2023 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CISA - Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) Dc3 - DOD-Defense Industrial Base Collaborative Information Sharing Environment Defense.gov - Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Strategy 2024 Defense.gov - DoD Releases Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Strategy DoD - Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Cybersecurity Portal Federal Register - Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Cybersecurity (CS) Activities INSA online - Views on DoD Cyber Threat Hunting on Defense Industrial Base Networks NSA - NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY CYBERSECURITY SERVICES Drive Down Risk - Protect DoD Information NSA Cybersecurity Collaboration Center Ntia.gov - Framing Software Component Transparency - Establishing a Common Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) General Resources Applicable to All SMBs Controlling Access & Authentication Email & Other Communications Financial Internet Connection Operational Reputational Risks & Threats Security Awareness Security Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines Sensitive Data Social Media Systems, Devices, Applications, and Services Website

Introduction Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) are critical in supporting national security and defense initiatives. However, they face unique cybersecurity challenges and compliance obligations to safeguard sensitive information and maintain operational resilience. DIB SMBs must prioritize cybersecurity measures tailored to their specific needs and operational environment to address these challenges effectively. Protection Needs Compliance with DFARS SMBs in the DIB are subject to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), which imposes cybersecurity requirements on contractors and subcontractors handling controlled unclassified information (CUI) or supporting Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. DFARS compliance typically involves implementing cybersecurity controls outlined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171, which focuses on protecting sensitive information stored in nonfederal systems and organizations. Cybersecurity Needs and Concerns SMBs in the DIB must address a range of cybersecurity needs and concerns to enhance their resilience against cyber threats. These include safeguarding personal information, ensuring safe online experiences, protecting against cyber threats, securing devices and networks, promoting responsible online behavior, and maintaining up-to-date architecture diagrams with all hardware and software inventories. Additional Cybersecurity Measures Besides DFARS compliance and addressing fundamental cybersecurity needs, SMBs in the DIB should implement additional cybersecurity measures to enhance their defense against evolving threats. This includes patching and configuring security settings on all devices and software, employing active defenses for known attack vectors, monitoring network and device activity logs for anomalous behaviors, employing multi-factor authentication, implementing email and browser defenses, deploying malware protection on networks, encrypting data at rest and in transit, training staff to avoid and respond to suspicious events, and having contingency plans in place. Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) An important cybersecurity tool recommended by organizations such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM). An SBOM provides a structured inventory of software components, dependencies, and third-party software used in building a software product. It enhances transparency and visibility into software supply chains, helping organizations better understand and manage potential security risks. Conclusion In summary, SMBs within the Defense Industrial Base must adopt a proactive and multi-layered approach to cybersecurity, incorporating compliance with DFARS requirements, addressing fundamental cybersecurity needs, implementing additional cybersecurity measures, and leveraging tools such as SBOMs to enhance transparency and resilience within their supply chains.