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DFARS Compliance

DFARS 7012. Enforced Continuously.

DFARS 252.204-7012 requires adequate security for covered contractor information systems, 72-hour incident reporting to DoD, and preservation of images for forensic analysis. PolicyCortex automates the continuous monitoring obligations and supports your incident response workflow to meet every DFARS cybersecurity requirement.

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72 hrs

DFARS incident reporting window

110

NIST 800-171 controls enforced

62%

Environments with unnecessary CUI scope

Real-time

CUI boundary monitoring

DFARS Compliance Workflow

From CUI protection to incident response — automated

CUI Boundary MonitorContinuous monitoring of all systems within your documented CUI boundary
Incident DetectionRapid detection of security events meeting DFARS cyber incident criteria
72-Hour ClockAutomatic incident timeline tracking against DFARS reporting requirements
Incident DocumentationStructured incident report generation with required DoD notification data
Ongoing EnforcementContinuous NIST 800-171 enforcement maintains DFARS adequate security posture
CAPABILITIES

What you get

CUI Boundary Definition and Enforcement

PolicyCortex helps you accurately define your CUI boundary and enforces security controls on every in-scope system. Over-scoping is eliminated; under-scoping is prevented.

72-Hour Incident Response Support

DFARS requires reporting cyber incidents to DoD within 72 hours of discovery. PolicyCortex detects security events, generates structured incident documentation, and tracks the reporting timeline automatically.

Adequate Security Enforcement

DFARS adequate security means implementing NIST 800-171. PolicyCortex enforces all 110 controls continuously — the same standard your DFARS clause requires.

Media and Image Preservation

DFARS requires preservation of images of compromised systems for at least 90 days. PolicyCortex integrates with cloud backup and snapshot policies to ensure preservation capability.

Subcontractor Flow-Down Monitoring

Prime contractors must flow DFARS requirements down to subcontractors. PolicyCortex tracks subcontractor SPRS scores and CMMC status to manage supply chain compliance.

SPRS Score Accuracy

DFARS requires submission of an accurate SPRS self-assessment score. PolicyCortex calculates your score against actual cloud configurations — not documented assumptions — ensuring accurate DoD reporting.

HOW IT WORKS

Three steps to value

01

CUI System Identification

Map all systems that process, store, or transmit CUI — including data flows, API connections, and logging pipelines that may extend scope beyond obvious CUI repositories.

02

NIST 800-171 Baseline Enforcement

PolicyCortex enforces all 110 NIST 800-171 controls across every in-scope system, closing the gap between documented DFARS compliance and actual cloud configuration.

03

Incident Response Integration

Configure incident detection thresholds and notification workflows. PolicyCortex tracks the 72-hour reporting window and generates structured incident reports for DIBNet Portal submission.

04

Continuous Monitoring and Evidence

Ongoing monitoring maintains your DFARS adequate security posture and generates the evidence record to demonstrate continuous compliance to DoD auditors.

FAQ

Common questions

What does DFARS 252.204-7012 actually require from a cloud perspective?

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DFARS 7012 requires: (1) Adequate security on covered contractor information systems, defined as implementing NIST 800-171 controls; (2) Rapid reporting of cyber incidents to DoD within 72 hours of discovery via the DIBNet Portal; (3) Preservation of images of compromised systems for at least 90 days; (4) Submission of a SPRS self-assessment score. PolicyCortex addresses all four requirements.

How does PolicyCortex support the 72-hour incident reporting requirement?

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PolicyCortex detects security events that meet DFARS cyber incident criteria — unauthorized access to systems processing CUI, exfiltration of CUI, malware presence in CUI environments. When detected, it generates structured incident documentation and tracks the 72-hour DIBNet reporting deadline. For incidents requiring human investigation, it provides the initial detection data, timeline, and affected system inventory.

We've already submitted a SPRS score. Does PolicyCortex help us maintain accuracy?

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Yes. DFARS requires that SPRS scores reflect your actual security posture. Many contractors submitted optimistic scores based on documentation; if your actual cloud configurations have gaps, that creates legal risk. PolicyCortex evaluates your current configuration against all 110 controls and shows you what your accurate SPRS score should be, allowing you to remediate before DoD reviews your submission.

Does DFARS compliance differ from CMMC compliance?

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DFARS 252.204-7012 is the contractual requirement — it requires implementing NIST 800-171. CMMC 2.0 is the assessment mechanism — it verifies that you've actually implemented those requirements. DFARS creates the obligation; CMMC Level 2 creates the third-party verification requirement. Contractors under CMMC Level 2 solicitations must satisfy both. PolicyCortex enforces NIST 800-171 to satisfy both simultaneously.

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