Data compliance regulations such as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) are essential for organizations handling sensitive data, particularly those operational within the defense supply chain. The latest iteration, CMMC 2.0, emphasizes stringent security measures to protect controlled unclassified information (CUI), making encryption a critical component for compliance.
Certified CMMC supply chain providers must ensure resilient encryption across their systems to safeguard data integrity and accessibility limited to authorized users all along the chain. This is imperative.
So, let’s examine the significance of encryption for CMMC compliance and outline actionable steps you should take for implementing secure encryption measures for your data storage, data sharing, and messaging processes. We’ll also discuss vulnerabilities associated with weak encryption practices, illustrating with recent case studies from 2023 to 2024.
There are still business enterprises that assume, because they haven’t yet suffered a breach, that the legacy security protocols and anti-virus protections they’ve had in place for years are enough, especially if they’re running the latest software versions.
They may also believe that proactive measures and upgraded security/encryption levels are cost prohibitive and therefore exclude them from budget considerations.
But the truth is, organizations cannot afford NOT to implement more robust security.
As they may unfortunately discover, the costs of remediation and damage control far outweighs the cost of adding advanced protection upgrades to an increasingly vulnerable system targeted by increasingly innovative perpetrators.
What is Encryption and Why is it Critical for CMMC Compliance?
Encryption is the process of converting plaintext data into a coded format that can only be accessed by authorized users with a corresponding encryption key. This secure transformation ensures that even if a network is compromised, the encrypted data remains protected from unauthorized access.
Note: Gold Comet’s platform takes this transformation a step further with Object Level Encryption – which means each individual data element is assigned its own encryption key. This is unlike standard encryption systems which encrypt data in volumes or batches. If the perpetrator happens to be successful in breaking the encryption, the whole volume of data becomes exposed. In Gold Comet’s object level encrypted system, only that one piece of data would be compromised. All other files, in transit and at rest, would remain safely encrypted – a strong deterrent for cybercriminals who will not want to invest the time or the effort to break encryptions one data element at a time. But we digress …
For organizations seeking CMMC data compliance, encryption serves as a robust and essential defense mechanism, mitigating the risk of breaches and helping to fulfill CMMC’s stringent security requirements. The more robust the encryption method, the better.
Some Key Encryption Terms:
AES 256 Encryption: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with a 256-bit key length is considered one of the most secure encryption methods available. AES 256 encryption is widely used for securing sensitive data and is often recommended for encrypted cloud storage and messaging.
TLS Encryption: Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption is essential for secure online data transmissions, such as encrypted email and web browsing. TLS encryption protects data as it travels across networks, ensuring both integrity and confidentiality.
Note: AES 256 and TLS encryption are key features of Gold Comet’s multi-patented and quantum integrated data storage, data sharing, and messaging platform.
Encryption Key: This is a string of characters used to encrypt and decrypt data. Key length and complexity are vital factors in determining encryption strength, with 256-bit keys offering strong protection against brute-force attacks.
CMMC C3PAO: A Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) is an accredited entity that assesses organizations' adherence to CMMC requirements, including its encryption practices. Compliance with CMMC C3PAO standards ensures data protection and mitigates risks associated with handling CUI. Your C3PAO will review the level of encryption you have implemented on your system to ensure that it complies with CMMC requirements for certification.
Implementing an Encrypted Environment: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a secure, encrypted environment is critical for meeting CMMC 2.0 standards and protecting sensitive data across storage, sharing, and messaging systems. Gold Comet’s platform provides seamless data management integration for agencies responsible for managing large amounts of client data and we can help you get set up. We highly recommend implementing a system like ours with its patented object level encryption.
Here are key steps to building a resilient encryption setup:
1. Assess Data and Determine Encryption Needs
Data Classification: Identify and classify your data based on sensitivity, determining which data requires encryption. CUI, for example, is highly sensitive and must be encrypted both in transit and at rest per CMMC requirements.
Compliance Requirements: Determine encryption standards needed to achieve compliance, such as AES 256 encryption for data at rest and TLS encryption for data in transit.
2. Select Appropriate Encryption Methods for Data Storage
Encrypted Cloud Storage: Choose secure cloud providers that offer built-in encryption. Leading providers implement AES 256-bit encryption to safeguard files stored in the cloud. Gold Comet hosts its own secure cloud environment to ensure your data remains protected at all times.
On-Premises Encryption: For organizations with on-premises storage, deploy strong AES encryption and ensure that encryption keys are securely stored in hardware security modules (HSMs) or similar secure environments. Gold Comet has the ability to seamlessly integrate with your network to provide the secure storage you need.
3. Implement Encrypted Email and Messaging Solutions
Encrypted Email: Use email providers that support TLS encryption for secure transmission and encryption of email content. Ensuring secure email encryption is essential for both internal and external communications involving CUI.
Encrypted Messaging: Adopt messaging applications that provide end-to-end encryption, such as Gold Comet Messaging, ensuring secure communication even on remote devices and allowing secure communication and collaboration between authorized users.
4. Establish Key Management Practices
Encryption Key Storage: Store encryption keys in secure, tamper-resistant environments to prevent unauthorized access.
Key Rotation: Regularly update and rotate encryption keys to enhance security and prevent decryption risks in the event of a key compromise.
5. Monitor and Test Encryption Regularly
Regularly assess encryption protocols and update them as required. Conduct periodic vulnerability assessments to ensure encryption methods remain robust against evolving threats.
Gold Comet’s data storage, data sharing, and messaging platform is built on a zero-trust model and covered by eight patents, making it one of the most resilient data security platforms in the commercial market today. And we are constantly leveling up, keeping pace with the latest developments in cybersecurity technologies.
The Risks of Outdated or Non-Encrypted Systems: Recent Case Studies
Despite the clear advantages of encryption, some organizations still rely on outdated or non-encrypted systems, exposing them to significant cybersecurity risks. Following are a few case studies that highlight vulnerabilities arising from weak or absent encryption, underscoring the importance of secure data practices for CMMC compliance.
Case Study 1: Ransomware Attack on a Major Healthcare Provider (2023)
In early 2023, a healthcare provider suffered a ransomware attack due to inadequate encryption protocols for its patient records. While some records were stored in encrypted cloud storage, others remained in legacy systems with only basic encryption, allowing attackers to access unencrypted patient data. The breach compromised sensitive health information and cost the provider millions in fines and reputation damage.
This incident demonstrates the vulnerability of partial or weak encryption, underscoring the need for AES 256 encryption across all data storage systems to prevent unauthorized access. This is why we stress proactive preventive measures – which may cost thousands up front but is more cost effective than paying millions after the fact.
Case Study 2: Data Breach at a Defense Contractor (2023)
A defense contractor working with the Department of Defense experienced a data breach in mid-2023 when attackers exploited outdated security on a shared server that was not TLS-encrypted. The breach exposed CUI due to the absence of encrypted messaging and email protocols, highlighting critical gaps in cybersecurity maturity required for CMMC 2.0 compliance. The incident led to an investigation by a CMMC C3PAO and highlighted the necessity of securing all communication channels involving CUI, from encrypted email to cloud storage.
In other words, stop thinking your standard password protected email is secure. Email is still the most widely exploited pathway used to infiltrate systems.
Case Study 3: Financial Sector Breach (2024)
A financial services firm suffered a data breach in early 2024 when attackers accessed non-encrypted financial data due to inadequate encryption key management. The firm used outdated encryption methods that were vulnerable to brute-force attacks, compromising large volumes of customer data.
This incident reinforced the importance of robust encryption key management to maintain compliance and prevent unauthorized data access. And that financial firm lost far more than financial data. They also lost stakeholder and customer trust – which is priceless and, once lost, sometimes impossible to regain.
The Benefits of Encryption for CMMC Data Compliance
Implementing a comprehensive encryption strategy will offer multiple benefits for your organization, especially if seeking CMMC 2.0 compliance certification:
- Enhanced Data Protection: AES 256 encryption provides robust data security, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected even in the event of unauthorized access.
- Secure Communication: Encrypted email and messaging apps help protect sensitive conversations and maintain data integrity across distributed teams.
- Compliance and Competitive Advantage: Meeting CMMC encryption standards demonstrates your organization’s commitment to cybersecurity, enhancing credibility and potentially creating a competitive edge.
As your organization strives to secure client data while complying with CMMC standards, implementing robust encryption across all data channels is a milestone Gold Comet can help you achieve. From encrypted cloud data storage to collaborative data sharing to secure messaging solutions, encryption plays a crucial role in how Gold Comet’s platform mitigates risks and ensures data compliance.
Allow Gold Comet to help your organization safeguard your intellectual property and sensitive client data records while enhancing your DSPM and cybersecurity maturity.
For more information, simply complete the form on our Contact Us page, or send an email to info@goldcomet.com. We will promptly respond! In our no-cost consultation, we will gain an understanding of your specific needs and answer any questions you may have about how our platform works and seamlessly integrates with yours.
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