Managed File Transfer Requirements for CMMC Compliance
Managed File Transfer (MFT) is a software solution that allows businesses to securely manage and control the exchange of data inside and outside their organization. Managed file transfer ensures that data transfers are reliable, auditable, and compliant with various industry standards, including the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
Defense Department (DoD) contractors and sub–contractors use managed file transfer solutions to protect sensitive information when it’s in transit and at rest. These solutions are highly valuable as they eliminate the need for manual data transfers, reduce the risk of cyber threats, increase operational efficiency, and support regulatory compliance.
In this blog post, we’ll take a close look at the key requirements contractors should look for in a managed file transfer solution, particularly if it’s used to transfer federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI) with the DoD, to stay on the right side of CMMC compliance.
Still debating between FTP and managed file transfer? Here are six reasons why managed file transfer is better than FTP .
Importance of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC compliance) is a certification that verifies a DoD contractor’s ability to protect sensitive data, specifically Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Obtaining this certification is not only important but required as it ensures a uniform standard for implementing cybersecurity practices across the DoD’s supply chain, also known as the defense industrial base (DIB).
Non–compliance with CMMC standards carries severe risks, including the potential loss of government contracts, damaged reputation, penalties, fines, and litigation. It’s critical therefore fo DoD contractors to adequately understand and conform to these standards.
Key Features for CMMC–compliant Managed File Transfer Solution
Managed file transfer solutions can be split into two categories: legacy, unsecure solutions and modern, secure solutions. Any business, particularly any business that contracts with the DoD, should aim to invest in the latter MFT solution. Achieving CMMC compliance can be complex and ensuring an managed file transfer solution meets the cybersecurity and data privacy requirements mandated by CMMC is no exception. Nevertheless, the following managed file transfer solution features will help DoD contractors achieve CMMC compliance.
1. End-to-End Encryption
Encryption is a security measure that obscures data to make it unreadable to unauthorized users. End-to-end encryption means that data is encrypted at its originating point and is only decrypted when it reaches its intended recipient. This feature is crucial as it protects data from potential interception during the transfer process.
End–to–end encryption transforms data into code, making it unreadable to unauthorized parties. It’s a powerful method for protecting data from breaches, ensuring only the sender and recipient can access it.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Importance of CMMC Compliance:
CMMC compliance is critical for defense contractors and subcontractors who exchange sensitive content with the DoD. Non-compliance potentially exposes sensitive CUI and jeopardizes national security. - Key MFT Features for CMMC Compliance:
“Must-have” features include end-to-end encryption, robust auditing and reporting, granular access controls, and data integrity checks. - Non-Repudiation and Centralized Control:
CMMC requires organizations to maintain accountability and visibility over data transfers. Non-repudiation features like digital signatures and timestamps, plus centralized control, enable compliance. - Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
MFA requires authorized personnel to authenticate before accessing sensitive content, ensuring traceability and protection of FCI and CUI. - Scalability and Flexibility:
A CMMC-compliant MFT solution should be scalable and flexible to adapt to changing business needs, data volumes, and evolving cybersecurity requirements.
2. Auditing and Reporting Capabilities
The CMMC certification process involves a thorough audit, where contractors must demonstrate adequate cybersecurity practices. Another key feature for a CMMC–compliant managed file transfer solution therefore is strong auditing and reporting capabilities.
Strong auditing and reporting capabilities require a managed file transfer solution to keep detailed logs of all data transfers, including when the transfer occurred, who initiated the file transfer, what data was involved, to whom the data was transferred, and finally whether the transfer was successful. This information should be easy to compile into reports to provide clear, verifiable evidence of secure data management practices.
3. Access Controls
Access controls regulate who can view or use files or other assets and resources in a computing environment. Access controls prevent unauthorized users from seeing, sharing, transferring, downloading, etc. sensitive data. Not every employee needs access to FCI or CUI. In fact, the fewer employees who have access to this sensitive information, the better. Access controls, therefore, are another top priority for CMMC compliance.
With managed file transfer solutions in particular, access controls can include requiring user authentication, limiting data access based on user roles, and monitoring and managing active data sessions. All these measures together ensure that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive data, aligning with the CMMC’s requirements for handling FCI and CUI.
4. Data Integrity Checks
Data integrity checks are essential to ensure that the data transferred through an MFT solution is the data received, without any alteration or corruption during the transfer process. The use of checksums, hash functions, or digital signatures verify the data’s integrity and provides assurances that the data transferred is accurate and unchanged.
This managed file transfer feature is crucial for CMMC compliance, as the accuracy and reliability of FCI and CUI are integral to national security interests. Thus, any MFT solution for CMMC compliance should include robust data integrity checks.
5. Non–Repudiation
Non–repudiation is a must–have feature for managed file transfer solutions that aim for CMMC compliance. This feature essentially guarantees that a party in a data transfer cannot deny the authenticity of their digital signature, the intention of their agreement, or the sending/receiving of a message. It provides an auditable trail of all transactions, which is crucial in maintaining accountability and addressing disputes or security breaches.
Solutions like digital signatures and timestamps can provide non–repudiation, ensuring that both sender and receiver cannot deny the legitimacy of a transfer. This is crucial in the context of CMMC, where maintaining secure and verifiable communication is paramount for the protection of FCI and CUI.
6. Centralized Control and Management
Centralized control and management allows for a single point of management for all file transfers, simplifying the management process and enhancing visibility. Centralized control makes it easier to implement and enforce policies, track file movements, manage users, generate reports, and conduct audits – all CMMC requirements.
A centralized MFT solution allows administrators to maintain strict control and visibility over data transfers, which can drastically enhance an organization’s ability to protect sensitive data and demonstrate compliance. As a result, centralized control and management is a critical aspect of MFT solutions aiming for CMMC compliance.
7. Multi–Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi–factor authentication (MFA) involves the use of two or more independent credentials to authenticate a user’s identity, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access to sensitive data. Multi–factor authentication can include biometric verification like fingerprints or facial recognition systems; a one–time password (OTP); or a physical security key like an access card or key fob in combination with entering a password to gain access to a secure building or computer system.
Given CMMC’s emphasis on protecting FCI and CUI, MFA is a critical tool in preventing unauthorized access and ensuring that only verified users can access sensitive data. This is particularly crucial in protecting data in transit and at rest.
8. Scalability and Flexibility
In the dynamic environment of data management and cybersecurity, the ability to adapt to changing business needs, data volumes, technological advancements, and evolving threats is critical. Scalability and flexibility therefore are crucial for regulatory compliance, including CMMC.
A robust managed file transfer solution should be able to scale up with growing data volumes without compromising performance or security. Similarly, the MFT solution should offer the flexibility to support new transfer protocols, encryption methods, or security features as they evolve. These aspects are crucial, for not just maintaining long–term CMMC compliance but also a broader competitive advantage, in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Kiteworks Secure Managed File Transfer Helps Defense Contractors Demonstrate CMMC Compliance
In a risk–filled environment where data security is of the utmost importance, utilizing a managed file transfer solutions offer businesses a robust and secure way to manage the exchange of data. For businesses working with the United States Department of Defense, it’s imperative their managed file transfer solution also complies with CMMC.
This feat requires the managed file transfer solution to possess key features such as end–to–end encryption, robust auditing and reporting capabilities, strong access controls, data integrity checks, non–repudiation, centralized control and management, multi–factor authentication, and scalability and flexibility.
By ensuring your managed file transfer solution possesses these features, you can safeguard your data and ensure regulatory compliance with CMMC standards, enabling you to secure defense contracts, build trust with your public and private sector customers, and maintain a strong reputation in today’s security–focused digital landscape.
The Kiteworks Private Content Network, a FIPS 140-2 Level validated secure file sharing and file transfer platform, consolidates email, file sharing, web forms, SFTP and managed file transfer, so organizations control, protect, and track every file as it enters and exits the organization.
Kiteworks secure managed file transfer provides robust automation, reliable, scalable operations management, and simple, code-free forms and visual editing. It is designed with a focus on security, visibility, and compliance. In fact, Kiteworks handles all the logging, governance, and security requirements with centralized policy administration while a hardened virtual appliance protects data and metadata from malicious insiders and advanced persistent threats. As a result, businesses can transfer files securely while maintaining compliance with relevant regulations
Kiteworks secure managed file transfer supports flexible flows to transfer files between various types of data sources and destinations over a variety of protocols. In addition, the solution provides an array of authoring and management functions, including an Operations Web Console, drag-and-drop flow authoring, declarative custom operators, and the ability to run on schedule, event, file detection, or manually.
Finally, Kiteworks Secure MFT Client provides access to commonly-used repositories such as Kiteworks folders, SFTP Servers, FTPS, CIFS File Shares, OneDrive for Business, SharePoint Online, Box, Dropbox, and others.
In total, Kiteworks secure managed file transfer provides complete visibility, compliance, and control over IP, PII, PHI, and other sensitive content, utilizing state-of-the-art encryption, built-in audit trails, compliance reporting, and role-based policies.
To learn more about Kiteworks’ secure managed file transfer capabilities, schedule a custom demo today.
Additional Resources
- Blog Post 6 Reasons Why Managed File Transfer is Better than FTP
- Blog Post Secure Managed File Transfer: Which Solution is Best for Your Business?
- Video Kiteworks Secure Managed File Transfer: The Most Secure and Advanced Managed File Transfer Solution
- Blog Post Navigate Complex Financial Regulations With Secure Managed File Transfer
- Blog Post Eleven Requirements for Secure Managed File Transfer