Technically Speaking

Article originially posted to the GovDesignHub here.  

With election day upon us, and with millions already mailing in their ballot or taking advantage of early voting, it is safe to say this election will be like no other. However, this record-breaking turnout does not slow down bad actors from Iran and Russia from interfering in the upcoming election. According to a recent announcement from the FBI, both Iran and Russia have obtained US voter information.

If your business sells products or provides services to the Department of Defense (DoD), then you should know about the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. 

With just days remaining until Election Day, election security and mail-in voting have played a significant role in this presidential race. Currently, eighteen states and D.C. have started to ease and expand access to vote by mail due to the pandemic. This expansion allows concerned voters to avoid being exposed to the virus at polling places and still allows citizens to exercise their democratic rights. However, the question on every election official's mind across the country is how the United States post office will handle the expected influx in mail-in ballots?

DoD has recently incorporated CMMC requirements into the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS Case 2019–D041, available here https://bit.ly/30LXAeE).  The rule change is currently open for public comment, and I urge all interested parties to read it and provide input.  

“The best virtual experience in cybersecurity” is fast approaching. On October 14-15, the Institute for Critical Infrastructure (ICIT) – the only think tank dedicated exclusively to cybersecurity – hosts its 2020 fall virtual briefing. Co-chaired by DLT, this year’s theme is: “A Secure Roadmap for the Future.”