Running Head: Company X Department Of Defense (DOD) R 975244

Running Head Company Xxxxxx Department Of Defense Dod Ready1compan

Develop a professional report that creates DoD-compliant IT security policies for an organization based on specified infrastructure, compliance laws, and security controls, including development of deployment plans and identification of applicable DoD frameworks.

Paper For Above instruction

The recent procurement of a significant Department of Defense (DoD) contract by our organization necessitates a comprehensive overhaul of our existing IT security policies to meet stringent DoD standards and compliance requirements. This paper articulates the development of these policies, tailored to our specific organizational infrastructure, and aligned with DoD and U.S. federal laws, ensuring operational security, regulatory compliance, and strategic risk management.

Our organization is a high-tech firm with approximately 390 employees, offering specialized technological solutions. Currently, our infrastructure comprises twelve servers running Microsoft Server 2012 R2, hosting core services such as Active Directory (AD), DNS, DHCP, and Oracle-based ERP systems. Additionally, we operate two Linux servers with Apache for web hosting, alongside a LAN segment dedicated to research and development activities. The computing environment includes 390 Windows-based PCs/laptops, equipped with Microsoft Office 2013, Visio, Project, and Adobe Reader, with email managed via Microsoft Exchange Server and filtered through Symantec and Websense solutions.

The primary objective of the new IT security policy is to establish a robust security framework that ensures confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of organizational information assets, aligns with DoD directive mandates, and supports the organization's mission of delivering secure, reliable technology services to military clients, specifically the Air Force Cyber Security Center (AFCSC). The policy development process involved a thorough assessment of existing infrastructure, identification of security gaps, and consultation of DoD directives including DoD Instruction 8500.01 (Cybersecurity), DoDI 8500.02 (Cybersecurity Program), and NIST SP 800-53 (Security and Privacy Controls). The policies are designed with a validity period of three years, with provisions for review and updates in response to evolving threats or changes in regulatory guidance.

Compliance with DoD-specific requirements is critical, as our infrastructure involves both cloud and on-premises components, with specific controls on servers, network segments, and endpoints. Our mission, aligned with the Department of Defense's priorities, emphasizes safeguarding classified and unclassified data, maintaining operational continuity, and adhering to strict cryptographic protocols. Our IT infrastructure must implement DoD mandates such as the Risk Management Framework (RMF), which guides security categorization, control selection, assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring, as outlined in DoD Instruction 8510.01. Furthermore, compliance with U.S. laws like the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 252.204-7012, and the Privacy Act of 1974 is mandatory.

The policies formulated encompass comprehensive standards and controls across various domains—including User, Workstation, LAN, WAN, Remote Access, and System/Application domains. For user policies, acceptable use policies specify authorized activities, confidentiality obligations, and consequences for violations, emphasizing security awareness and training. Workstation policies mandate encryption, antivirus, and patch management, while LAN policies enforce network segmentation, access controls, and secure configurations. The LAN-to-WAN domain requires adherence to firewall standards, intrusion detection systems, and secure VPN policies.

On the WAN front, control measures include secure transmission protocols, multi-factor authentication for remote access, and encrypted tunnels for remote connections. Privacy and operational integrity are also maintained through rigorous monitoring and incident response procedures, aligned with the Incident Response Policy prescribed by DoD directives. Our system application environments require strict controls such as role-based access, audit logging, and regular vulnerability assessments.

The deployment plan for these policies incorporates phased implementation, beginning with asset inventorying, risk assessments, and staff training. Subsequent phases include technical configuration of hardware and software, process documentation, and management review. Ongoing compliance monitoring will leverage continuous assessment tools aligned with the RMF cycle, ensuring our infrastructure maintains DoD compliance over time. Key frameworks integrated include the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework, DoD Information Security Program directives, and industry best practices from ISO/IEC 27001.

In conclusion, establishing and enforcing comprehensive DoD-aligned security policies is imperative for safeguarding our organization's critical infrastructure, ensuring contractual obligations are met, and maintaining operational integrity in a high-stakes environment. Our strategic deployment plan aims to facilitate a smooth transition to compliance, emphasizing continuous improvement, regular audits, and adaptive controls responsive to emerging threats and regulatory updates.

References

  • National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2018). Framework for improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity (NIST Cybersecurity Framework). NIST.
  • Department of Defense. (2014). DoD Instruction 8500.01, Cybersecurity.
  • Department of Defense. (2018). DoD Instruction 8510.01, Risk Management Framework (RMF) for DoD IT.
  • Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA). (2014). Pub. L. No. 113-283.
  • Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7012. (2013).
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2020). NIST Special Publication 800-53 Rev.5, Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations.
  • Office of Management and Budget. (2016). Executive order 13800, Resilient Federal Cybersecurity.
  • ISO/IEC 27001:2013. Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems.
  • Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a.
  • U.S. Congress. (2002). Homeland Security Act, Public Law 107-296.

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