Urgent Compliance Required: CISA Sets New Standard

Compliance is Coming

In a critical development, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the final iteration of its Secure Software Development Attestation Common Form. This announcement marks a significant shift in cybersecurity protocols, with a stringent compliance timeline now in place. Government agencies are under a pressing mandate to begin collecting attestation letters for critical software by June 8, 2024, and extend this to all relevant software by September 8, 2024.

This urgent initiative addresses the escalating threats within software supply chains, demanding a uniform security protocol across software producers. The unveiling of the Common Form initiative is a pivotal move to fortify the security landscape of federal software use. At its core, the initiative mandates strict adherence to the NIST Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF), detailed in NIST SP 800-218, which prescribes a comprehensive set of secure software development practices aimed at reducing vulnerabilities.

The launch of the Common Form and Repository signals a critical juncture in cybersecurity management, transitioning from voluntary best practices to compulsory adherence. This change not only necessitates formal attestation of secure software development practices but also streamlines the verification and tracking of compliance across the software ecosystem.

With the unveiling of CISA’s Repository, a central hub for submitting the Common Form and related documents has been established. Although CISA’s User Guide provides exhaustive instructions, the cybersecurity realm is on high alert for the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council's forthcoming rule. This rule is anticipated to broaden the scope of compliance from internal agency requirements to an expansive acquisition framework, intensifying the need for immediate action.

The inception of the Common Form is traced back to Executive Order 14028, which led to subsequent OMB memorandums enforcing self-attestation of NIST SP 800-218 compliance for software utilization within federal agencies. The final Common Form underlines the possibility of third-party assessments for compliance, delineates signatory authority specifics, and offers clarity on the incorporation of third-party software.

In essence, the rollout of CISA's Secure Software Development Common Form and Repository is not merely a procedural update—it’s a critical call to action for standardized secure software development attestation, in line with the broader governmental cybersecurity mandates and frameworks. The countdown to compliance has begun, and the stakes for national security have never been higher.

To navigate this complex landscape, CodeLock emerges as a transformative solution, simplifying the compliance journey for organizations. With CodeLock, software producers can seamlessly integrate the NIST SP 800-218 requirements into their development processes, ensuring that their products meet the stringent standards set by CISA. CodeLock's automated tools and frameworks facilitate a straightforward path to attestation, reducing the administrative burden and minimizing the risk of non-compliance.

Moreover, CodeLock's robust tracking and reporting capabilities offer real-time insights into compliance status, enabling organizations to swiftly address any gaps and maintain continuous adherence to the evolving cybersecurity standards. By leveraging CodeLock, software producers can confidently navigate the compliance landscape, ensuring their software is secure, trustworthy, and aligned with national cybersecurity objectives.