Cyber threats have evolved—and simple passwords are no longer enough to protect sensitive government data. For defense contractors, securing user identity is a cornerstone of protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and meeting compliance standards like DFARS and CMMC.
Why Identity is a Prime Target
User credentials are one of the most targeted assets in cyberattacks. Phishing, credential stuffing, and password spraying continue to compromise access across environments—making identity security critical.
Inadequate identity controls can result in unauthorized access, data breaches, and non-compliance with government cybersecurity frameworks.
Moving to Zero Trust Principles
A Zero Trust approach assumes no user or device is trusted by default. Core practices include:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA across all applications and endpoints.
Conditional Access: Apply real-time policies based on user role, location, and device health.
Privileged Identity Management (PIM): Limit admin access and enforce just-in-time privileges.
Audit and Alerting: Monitor login attempts and flag unusual behavior immediately.
These tactics reduce your exposure and tighten control over CUI access.
Consider GCC High Migration Services for Maximum Identity Assurance
If your organization handles CUI or is aiming for CMMC Level 2 or higher, a commercial Microsoft 365 tenant may fall short. GCC High migration services enable a secure, compliant environment designed for defense contractors—providing enhanced identity governance, U.S. data residency, and alignment with ITAR and FedRAMP High.