CMMC Simplified: Pentagon's Final Cybersecurity Rule & USDA's Gene Editing Breakthrough

November 13, 2024

Streamlining Cybersecurity: Buddy Dees on the CMMC Final Rule

Buddy Dees, Director of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program Management Office, explains the updates to the Department of Defense’s CMMC program. The newly codified rule simplifies the original five-level model into three tiers, making compliance more manageable and cost-effective for contractors, particularly small businesses. Buddy emphasizes the focus on reducing the burden of cybersecurity requirements while maintaining robust protections for sensitive federal data. He outlines the responsibilities at each level, from self-assessment for basic protections at Level 1 to third-party and government-led assessments for higher-risk projects at Levels 2 and 3. Buddy also highlights the importance of aligning with NIST standards to ensure consistency and prepare for future cybersecurity needs. Contractors are encouraged to begin preparing ahead of the program's December 16 start date to remain competitive for federal contracts.

Key Takeways: 

1. The CMMC program has been streamlined from five levels to three, making it easier and more cost-effective for contractors to meet cybersecurity requirements.
   
   
2. Contractors can now perform self-assessments for basic protections at Level 1, while Levels 2 and 3 require government-specified third-party evaluations for higher-risk data.
   
   
3. Full alignment with NIST ensures consistency and positions the program to evolve with future cybersecurity needs.

Gene Editing Revolution: Dr. Aspen Workman Tackles BVDV

Dr. Aspen Workman from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service discusses her groundbreaking work in using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to combat bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). This innovative gene-editing approach introduces a heritable resistance to the virus, which costs the cattle industry over $1 billion annually. Dr. Workman explains how this edit protects cattle from birth, even in utero, addressing a significant challenge that vaccines cannot fully solve. She shares insights into the collaborative effort among government agencies, academia, industry, and cattle producers that made this research possible. Dr. Workman also explores the broader implications of this technology, including its potential to combat other livestock diseases. Looking ahead, her team aims to expand testing across different breeds and ensure the edit does not negatively impact cattle productivity, paving the way for large-scale implementation.

Key Takeaways: 

1. Using CRISPR-Cas9, her team introduced a gene edit that provides heritable resistance to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), protecting cattle from birth.
   
   
2. The project united expertise from government, academia, industry, and producers, ensuring the research meets real-world needs.
   
   
3. This approach could be applied to other livestock diseases, transforming disease resistance in agriculture.