CMMC-ITAR Compliance & Cybersecurity Resource Hub

A comprehensive collection of compliance guides, security best practices, and critical resources to help your business stay secure and compliant.

CMMC-ITAR Glossary

To make it easier to navigate, we've categorized key compliance terms based on relevant frameworks. This ensures you find definitions that directly apply to your specific compliance needs.

CMMC & NIST 800-171 Terms

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification & NIST Compliance

CMMC

A framework introduced by the DoD to ensure defense contractors meet cybersecurity standards at different maturity levels.

CUI

Sensitive but unclassified government information requiring protection.

NIST 800-171

A set of security controls that non-federal organizations must implement to protect CUI.

Assessment Guide

Official documentation detailing how CMMC assessments are conducted.

Security Controls

Specific technical and administrative safeguards required to protect information.

POA&M

A document outlining security gaps and a remediation plan.

FIPS

Government security standards for cryptographic modules and data encryption.

SPRS

A database where DoD contractors submit NIST 800-171 scores to show compliance.

Enclave

A secure IT environment where CUI is processed or stored to limit exposure.

ITAR & DFARS Compliance Terms

International Traffic in Arms Regulations & Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations

ITAR

U.S. regulations controlling the export of defense-related articles, services, and technical data.

DDTC

The U.S. State Department agency overseeing ITAR compliance.

DFARS

Additional cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors working with the DoD.

ECCN

A designation under EAR that helps determine licensing requirements for exports.

Technical Data

Any information required for the design, development, or use of defense articles, which is controlled under ITAR.

TAA

A document required when sharing controlled technical data with foreign entities.

Deemed Export Rule

A rule stating that sharing controlled information with a foreign national, even within the U.S., is considered an export.

CJ Request

A process to determine if an item falls under ITAR or EAR regulations.

Empowered Official

A designated individual responsible for ITAR compliance within a company.

Cloud & Cybersecurity Terms

Microsoft GCC High & Federal Cloud Compliance

Microsoft GCC High

A specialized Microsoft cloud environment designed for defense contractors handling CUI and ITAR data.

FedRAMP

A government-wide framework ensuring cloud providers meet strict security requirements.

Azure Government Cloud

A Microsoft cloud service that meets FedRAMP High and DoD Impact Level 5 standards.

Zero Trust Architecture

A cybersecurity model that assumes all access requests are potential threats until verified.

Multi-Factor Authentication

A security process requiring multiple forms of verification to access systems.

SIEM

A system that collects and analyzes security event data to detect threats.

EDR

Security software designed to detect, investigate, and respond to threats on endpoints.

Access Control

Policies and technologies that restrict unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.

Continuous Monitoring

The process of constantly assessing security posture to identify risks and vulnerabilities.

Compliance & Regulatory Frameworks

Government & Industry Standards

CFR

A set of rules issued by federal agencies to regulate various industries, including cybersecurity and defense.

FAR

The primary regulation governing all federal government procurement contracts.

SOC 2 Compliance

A security standard ensuring companies securely manage data to protect customer privacy.

ISO 27001

An international standard for information security management systems (ISMS).

HIPAA

U.S. law regulating the security of healthcare information.

PCI DSS

A set of security requirements for companies handling credit card transactions.

FISMA

A law requiring federal agencies to implement information security protections.

CSF

A risk-based framework developed by NIST to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risk.

IRP

A structured plan for detecting, responding to, and recovering from security incidents.

Continuous Compliance

The practice of maintaining compliance through ongoing monitoring and updates to security policies.

Checklists for Compliance

CMMC Compliance Checklist

Identify your required CMMC level (1-3)
Conduct a gap analysis against CMMC practices
Implement security controls and document policies
Establish a System Security Plan (SSP)
Maintain a Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M)
Conduct a readiness assessment before certification
Work with a Registered Provider Organization (RPO) for guidance
Ensure continuous monitoring and compliance updates

ITAR Compliance Checklist

Determine if your organization handles ITAR-controlled data
Register with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC)
Implement secure data storage solutions (Microsoft GCC High recommended)
Restrict access to U.S. persons only (as required by ITAR)
Encrypt sensitive data with FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption
Train employees on ITAR regulations and best practices
Maintain records of exports, transfers, and employee training
Conduct internal audits and compliance reviews regularly

NIST 800-171 Compliance Checklist

Conduct a self-assessment to identify security gaps
Implement the 14 families of security controls
Develop and maintain an SSP
Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Encrypt data in transit and at rest
Perform continuous monitoring and vulnerability management
Create an incident response plan and test it regularly
Prepare for CMMC Level 2 certification as an extension of NIST 800-171 compliance

Microsoft GCC High Compliance Checklist

Verify if your organization needs GCC High for regulatory requirements
Migrate to a Microsoft GCC High tenant with secure access controls
Configure security policies aligned with CMMC, ITAR, and DFARS
Implement Azure Active Directory for identity and access management
Enable logging and monitoring for security threats
Restrict external data sharing to authorized personnel only
Conduct regular audits to ensure continued compliance

Essential Compliance Resources

At CMMC-ITAR, we understand that navigating compliance can be complex. To help you stay informed and up to date, we've compiled a list of essential resources, including official government portals, regulatory guidelines, and key compliance documents.