Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- Frequent risk assessments detect and mitigate potential security threats across IT infrastructure, sensitive data, and personnel.
- Routine vulnerability scanning ensures that newly discovered threats are documented and remediated quickly.
- Ranking and addressing weaknesses enables organizations to minimize the likelihood of cyber‑attacks and fortify overall defenses.
Understanding Prospective Risk
For government contractors, compliance with NIST SP 800‑171 isn't merely recommended—it's required. Risk assessments systematically evaluate an organization's susceptibility to cyber threats, identifying security gaps, estimating threat likelihood and potential impact, and prioritizing improvements to strengthen an organization's cybersecurity posture.
Periodic Risk Assessments (3.11.1)
Organizations must periodically evaluate risks to their operations, mission‑critical functions, brand reputation, and workforce where CUI is processed, stored, or transmitted. Regular evaluations pinpoint vulnerabilities early and ensure that risks are effectively managed and mitigated.
Vulnerability Scanning (3.11.2)
Systematic scanning should be conducted on a recurring schedule and in response to emerging threats. Techniques include:
- Static Analysis – Examines source code without execution to detect flaws early.
- Binary Analysis – Analyzes compiled code for deeper weaknesses.
- Dynamic Analysis – Tests applications during execution to uncover runtime vulnerabilities.
Ensure your vulnerability databases stay current with the latest Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) and National Vulnerability Database (NVD) entries so new threats are addressed promptly.
Vulnerability Remediation (3.11.3)
After assessing threats, assign a severity rating based on probability and impact, then:
- Patch – Apply vendor security updates without delay.
- Upgrade/Replace – Move to newer software or hardware versions when patches fall short.
- Re‑configure – Harden settings and disable non‑essential services.
- Temporary Workarounds – Restrict access or isolate systems until a permanent fix is in place.
Always test post‑remediation to ensure vulnerabilities are resolved without introducing new issues.
Continuous Monitoring: A Proactive Security Approach
Ongoing assessments—integrated with threat‑intelligence feeds and security best practices—ensure organizations can detect and respond to threats effectively. Regular reviews serve as a roadmap for prioritizing future security enhancements and maintaining stakeholder trust.
Ensuring DoD Contract Compliance with NIST SP 800‑171
Compliance is crucial for DoD contractors and Defense Industrial Base (DIB) members. Total Assure brings 30 years of cybersecurity expertise to:
- Conduct gap and risk assessments
- Develop remediation roadmaps
- Integrate 24/7 monitoring and continuous improvement
Take the next step toward compliance—contact us for a free consultation on developing or updating your System Security Plan (SSP).
About Total Assure
Total Assure provides a 24/7/365 in‑house SOC, robust managed security solutions, and expert consulting services. We partner with clients to identify security gaps, set attainable objectives, and deliver comprehensive protections against modern threats.