Ensuring that third-party vendors and contractors comply with CMMC 2.0, DFARS, ITAR, and NIST SP 800-171 regulations is crucial for maintaining overall compliance. One effective way of achieving this is through Vendor Compliance Management (VCM) practices.
VCM involves implementing a comprehensive Compliance Audit Checklist that covers all relevant regulations to ensure that vendors meet the necessary requirements before they are contracted or chosen as a supplier. This checklist should cover factors such as data protection measures, access controls, security policies, and incident response protocols.
By implementing VCM practices and utilizing an extensive Compliance Audit Checklist, companies can maintain compliance while mitigating risks associated with external providers' non-compliance issues.