Oracle Introduces New Tools to Streamline Compliance for Defense Contractors with CMMC
In a significant shift to support the defense sector, Oracle has rolled out a comprehensive suite of tailored tools aimed at aiding defense contractors in meeting the stringent Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements mandated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). This new initiative simplifies the compliance process and positions Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) as an essential resource for companies looking to modernize their cybersecurity strategies.
As of October 15, 2024, defense contractors are required to comply with various levels of CMMC, specifically Levels 1, 2, and 3, through a phased implementation process. Achieving compliance can be particularly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises, given the complexity involved in aligning their cybersecurity measures with government regulations. Oracle's new OCI Core Landing Zone automation templates, accompanied by specialized documentation, are designed to address these challenges head-on, enabling contractors to save considerable time—potentially months—previously spent on manual compliance work, such as mapping controls and setting up cloud architecture to meet regulatory standards.
According to Shravan Devulapalli, a cybersecurity technologist at GE Aerospace, the integration of Oracle's services has facilitated their CMMC Level 2 readiness within a modernized supply chain while keeping projects within budget and timelines. This demonstrates the powerful capabilities of Oracle's cloud solutions to streamline complex compliance efforts and enhance operational efficiency.
CMMC aims to bolster the security of Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) across various defense contractors by enforcing a verified implementation of mandatory security safeguards. Each business must align its operations with standards set out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication SP 800-171 to obtain CMMC certification. The OCI Core Landing Zone provides baseline configurations through a standardized Infrastructure-as-Code (IAC) template, simplifying the implementation of necessary controls. This template is based on Terraform, allowing for one-click deployment of preconfigured cloud-native services tailored for compliance with the CMMC framework.
"CMMC is more than just having a secure cloud setup; it also entails detailed documentation that aligns the implementation with specific CMMC controls," said Rand Waldron, the vice president of Oracle. He emphasized Oracle's commitment to assisting defense contractors by offering in-depth guidance illustrating how its cloud infrastructure can meet CMMC requirements. This includes both an informative guide as well as a thorough controls checklist for CMMC Levels 1 and 2 compliance.
The OCI Core Landing Zone, as well as all related technical documentation, is made available at no additional cost under the existing contract with Oracle, while the cloud services necessary to deploy this new infrastructure will be billed as per the customer's agreement. Users can access these OCI Core Landing Zone templates through the OCI Console or GitHub, making it easier than ever to implement compliant frameworks.
In maintaining a competitive edge, Oracle ensures that its US Government Cloud services adhere to consistent global pricing, similar to its commercial public cloud offerings. Additionally, it meets various regulatory authorization standards, including DISA Impact Levels 2, 4, and FedRAMP High. The availability of Oracle US Government Cloud spans key regions within the United States, including US East (Ashburn, VA) and US West (Phoenix, AZ).
By fostering innovation and compliance, Oracle aims to not only aid in protecting sensitive government data but also to empower defense contractors across the nation as they navigate the increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape. Access to resources like the CMMC Level 1 and Level 2 informational guides and controls checklists further underscores Oracle's commitment to a secure future for national defense operations.
For those interested in more information about Oracle’s offerings and how they can facilitate compliance with CMMC, the detailed informational guides are readily available for review. Oracle continues to enhance its services and solutions to ensure that defense contractors are well-prepared to meet evolving cybersecurity requirements.