Cybersecurity insurance is a powerful tool in today’s evolving threat landscape. Properly selected, it can help an organization bounce back from a devastating cyberattack.

But what’s included in cybersecurity insurance?

How do you qualify for it?

We’ve got all the answers here.

Key takeaways:

• Cybersecurity insurance protects organizations from financial losses incurred by cybersecurity attacks.
• Cybersecurity insurance is far more affordable than the cost of a data breach (average $4.4M in 2025).
• Companies may need to take steps to qualify for cybersecurity insurance.

What is cybersecurity insurance?

Cybersecurity insurance, also called cyber liability insurance, is a type of insurance coverage that protects businesses from financial losses caused by cybersecurity incidents. This coverage is typically obtained through an insurance provider who will audit your organization’s cybersecurity posture to see if you qualify. Learn more here: 9 Cybersecurity Insurance Requirements.

Why choose cybersecurity insurance?

Why choose cybersecurity insurance? Because no one can fully prevent data breaches. Most organizations don’t budget for the cost of incident response, which can be devastating to an organization’s finances, operations, and customer relationships. A strong cyber insurance policy helps cover incident remediation costs so an organization can rebuild from an attack.

Should my business invest in cyber insurance?

Absolutely. Cyber insurance is incredibly beneficial to companies that have not budgeted for the remediation of a cyberattack. According to IBM, the average cost of a data breach in 2025 was $4.4 million. For many organizations, that number is unthinkable.

Does cyber insurance cover data breach lawsuits and legal fees?

Yes, most cyber insurance policies cover things such as legal fees and settlement costs, as long as your company wasn’t negligent. The exact parameters of coverage will depend on your policy and your provider’s requirements.

Typically, cyber insurance will not cover losses indirectly caused by a data breach or cyberattack.

How can I make cybersecurity insurance worth the expense?

The key piece to the puzzle to ensure full use of your insurance is log management. There are many platforms that allow you to collect this data. Properly captured and interpreted, log data is a tool that you can use to support your claim of a breach to your insurance provider. It’s an essential part of managed cybersecurity services.

We’ve seen that most claims from a breach won’t pay out if you don’t have detailed log information. The insurance companies want that data to see what happened before, during, and after the breach to validate the claim. Without log management, it’s hard to verify any of this information. And without that snapshot, regardless of what you’ve been paying for insurance, the claim you deserve won’t be paid.

Log management can be expensive depending on your compliance needs and data retention required by the insurance provider. However, many managed cybersecurity service providers, like Corsica Technologies, offer this service as a value add. Any of our experts here at Corsica and we would be glad to help guide you on your IT journey.

Need to prepare your company for cybersecurity insurance?

Reach out to schedule a consultation with our security specialists.

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The post What Is Cyber Insurance? appeared first on Corsica Technologies.

In this article:

What is the CMMC Final Rule?

What changed on 9/10/25?

What are the Level 2 requirements in Phase 1?

Can I renew a contract without compliance?

How do I comply with the CMMC?

How do CMMC assessments work?

What cybersecurity controls do I need?

What if we’re already CMMC compliant?

What ongoing maintenance do I need?

✅ Ready to get compliant?

Contact Us Now →

CMMC Final Rule: How to Achieve Compliance

• Ross Filipek
• October 2, 2025
• CMMC, Cybersecurity, IT Compliance

Defense contractors have anticipated the full implementation of CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) for some time now. On September 10, 2025, the Federal Register published the DFARS Final Rule, giving defense procurement officers the power to require CMMC compliance—both in new contracts and renewals of existing contracts.

In other words, CMMC compliance is now required for any contractor bidding on defense contracts. Requirements associated with DFARS 252.204-7021 and 252.204-7025 should start appearing in contracts on or after November 10, 2025, though the requirements may start showing up as early as October 2025.

Here’s everything you need to know about CMMC compliance.

Key points:

• CMMC compliance is no longer a one-time initiative. After November 10, 2025, companies must maintain compliance on a continuous, contract-by-contract basis.
• Non-compliant contractors aren’t grandfathered in with existing contracts. Every contract renewal will require CMMC compliance after November 10, 2025.
• Your CMMC compliance requirements will depend on the type of government information you handle and how sensitive the project is.
• Most contractors choose to work with an expert CMMC partner like Corsica Technologies to achieve and maintain compliance.

The clock is ticking for manufacturers in the defense industrial base. The cybersecurity maturity model certification or CMMC is here. If you want to continue working with the Department of Defense, you need to be prepared. At Corsica Technologies, we're here to help you navigate the road to compliance. So what is CMMC? It's a unified cybersecurity standard created by the Department of Defense to protect federal contract information and controlled unclassified information. CMMC has three levels of compliance. Most manufacturers who handle CUI will need to achieve level two, which involves a hundred and ten secondurity controls based on NIST SP eight hundred one seventy one revision two. The CMMC two point o final rule became effective on December sixteenth twenty twenty four. The rollout was happening starting in mid twenty twenty five when the acquisition rule took effect. Phase one will require self assessments for many contracts. Phase two, beginning one year later, will mandate third party c three p a o assessments for level two compliance. By October twenty twenty five, all DoD contractors and subcontractors must be CMMC compliant, affecting an estimated three hundred thousand companies. The key takeaway? We're already in phase one, and if you haven't started preparing, you're behind. So what should you be doing right now? First, determine which CMMC level your organization needs to achieve. For most manufacturers handling CUI, it'll be level two. Next, conduct a thorough gap assessment to identify your compliance gaps. This is a critical step, and it's where many companies realize they need help. CMMC compliance isn't just about technology. It covers access controls, employee training, incident response, risk assessments, and much more. Once you have identified your gaps, you need to plan to close them. This can be a complex and time consuming process, often requiring forty hours per week for eighteen months or more. Don't wait until it's too late. Corsica Technologies can help you prepare for your upcoming CMMC audit. We conduct comprehensive gap assessments to identify where you stand, develop detailed remediation road maps, and help you implement the controls you need to be ready for your official assessment by a C3PAO. Visit our website today to schedule a consultation and start your contracts, protect your business, and protect our nation's security. Contact Corsica Technologies today.

What is the CMMC Final Rule?

The CMMC Final Rule is a Department of War regulation that officially implements the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program into nearly all Department of War contracts through the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).

The CMMC Final Rule is not the same as the DFARS Final Rule. The CMMC Final Rule established the CMMC program upon publication on October 15, 2024. The DFARS Final Rule officially implements the CMMC program in government contracts.

The Federal Register published the DFARS Final Rule on September 10, 2025. The rule will take effect 60 days after that date, or roughly on November 10, 2025.

This means that Department of War procurement officers can include binding CMMC requirements in new contracts on or after November 10, 2025.

How did CMMC compliance requirements change on September 10, 2025?

When the Federal Register published the rule, they set in motion a process that will formalize and gradually roll out CMMC stipulations in Department of War contracts. The process will take four years to complete across all three levels of CMMC compliance.

Publication of the rule implemented two new clauses in DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement), the regulation that governs how defense contractors interact with the Department of War in a procurement scenario. The two new clauses are:

• DFARS 252.204-7021, also known as the CMMC contract clause, specifies, in part, that “the contractor shall have a current (i.e. not older than 3 years) CMMC certificate at the CMMC level required by this contract and maintain the CMMC certificate at the required level for the duration of the contract.”
• DFARS 252.204-7025, also known as the solicitation notice.

FREE CMMC Compliance Cheat Sheet

Download now →

What do Level 2 contractors need to do during phase 1 of the CMMC rollout?

99% of defense contractors will be pursuing Level 2 compliance. For that level, the phase 1 (11/10/25 through 11/9/26) requirement is that contractors self-assess and post their score to the SPRS Portal, which is essentially the same requirement they’ve had up until now.

Starting with phase 2 (11/10/26), Department of War Level 2 contracts can start requiring that contractors have passed a C3PAO-led (third-party) CMMC audit.

Can I renew an existing defense contract without achieving CMMC compliance?

No. After November 10, 2025, all contract renewals will require the appropriate level of CMMC compliance, even if the original contract went into effect before CMMC compliance was required by law.

In other words, all contractors who do business with the Department of War must achieve and maintain CMMC compliance, regardless of contract age.

How do I comply with the CMMC?

The answer depends on what type of information your company handles when contracting with the federal government. There are three types of information:

• Federal contract information (least sensitive)
• Controlled unclassified information
• Controlled unclassified information pertaining to highly sensitive projects

There are three levels of CMMC compliance corresponding to these three types of information. Your organization must achieve and maintain the level of compliance associated with the type of information you handle.

Here are the three levels of compliance.

• Level 1—15 requirements for contractors who work with FCI (federal contract information). Annual self-assessment required.
• Level 2—110 requirements for contractors who work with CUI (controlled unclassified information, as defined by the federal government). Triennial third-party assessment required from an authorized CMMC auditor.
• Level 3—roughly 140 requirements for contractors who work with CUI on highly sensitive projects; uses both NIST 800-171 and 172. First-party assessment required, led by Department of War.

Companies can achieve the appropriate level of compliance by working with a CMMC expert like Corsica Technologies. Achieving compliance requires a significant amount of work over a sustained period, which is why most companies work with a partner.

“As you take steps and work with a good partner, CMMC is definitely doable. It just takes time and commitment to get it done.”

—Jeff Barney, Ecommerce & IT Manager

See case study →

How often are CMMC assessments required, and what is the process for each level?

CMMC assessment processes and frequency depend on the level of compliance that the company must achieve. Here’s how it works for each level.

Level	Assessment Type	Who Conducts	Frequency	Submission/Reporting
Level 1	Self-assessment	Organization	Annual	SPRS
Level 2	Self or Third-party	Org or C3PAO	Every 3 yrs	SPRS, eMASS (if C3PAO)
Level 3	Government-led	DIBCAC	Every 3 yrs	SPRS, eMASS

 

CMMC Level 1 assessment process

The contractor conducts its own internal review against the 15 basic cybersecurity requirements of FAR 52.204-21. Then the contractor submits its results and annual affirmation in SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System). The contractor does not need to engage an assessment by a third party or a government entity.

CMMC Level 2 assessment process

The process for CMMC Level 2 assessment depends on the stipulations of the contract in question.

For contracts that allow self-assessment

The contractor reviews its compliance with 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls, then submits the results and affirmation in SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System).

For contracts that require third-party assessment

The contractor must engage a C3PAO (Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization) to conduct an assessment every three years. The contractor and/or their C3PAO must record the results in SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System) and eMASS (Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service).

CMMC Level 3 assessment process

The Department of War’s DIBAC (Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center) assesses the contractor every three years for adherence to NIST SP 800-172 controls in addition to NIST SP 800-171. Results are submitted to SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System) and eMASS (Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service).

What types of cybersecurity controls do I need to be CMMC compliant?

The exact answer will depend on which level of compliance you need to achieve, and the nature of your IT environment. That said, here are all the cybersecurity controls and initiatives that we recently implemented for a defense contractor to help them achieve CMMC compliance.

• Locking down CUI (controlled unclassified information) ASAP
• Access control
• Awareness and training
• Auditing and accountability
• Configuration management
• Identification and authentication
• Incident response
• Maintenance
• Media protection
• Personnel security
• Physical protection
• Risk assessment
• Security assessment
• System and communications protection
• System and information integrity

Learn more here: CMMC Case Study.

What if we’re already CMMC compliant?

If you’ve already achieved CMMC compliance, you’re on your way to meeting requirements before November 10, 2025.

However, there is a sea change in how companies must approach CMMC compliance.

CMMC compliance is no longer a one-time initiative. Companies must maintain compliance on a continuous, contract-by-contract basis.

Consequently, there are a few additional steps you need to take before November 10, 2025. Some steps will need to be executed for every contract, new or existing.

• Continuous Affirmation: You must provide an annual affirmation of ongoing compliance, signed by your designated “affirming official.”
• SPRS Updates: Your current CMMC status and unique identifier(s) for each information system handling FCI or CUI must be entered and kept up to date in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).
• Contract-Specific Requirements: For each new contract, option period, or extension, you must confirm that your CMMC level matches the contract’s requirements and that your SPRS records are current.
• Subcontractor Flowdown: If you are a prime contractor, you must ensure all subcontractors handling FCI or CUI are also certified at the required CMMC level before work begins.
• Conditional Status: For Level 2 and 3, if you have an approved Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), you may operate under conditional status for up to 180 days but must close out all POA&Ms within that period.

What ongoing maintenance is needed to maintain CMMC compliance?

CMMC compliance is not a one-time initiative. Rather, it requires continuous effort to maintain compliance on every contract.

Due to the high level of effort and specialized tools required, most contractors choose to work with a partner like Corsica Technologies to maintain CMMC compliance.

Whether you work with a partner or handle it in-house, here’s what it takes to maintain compliance.

1. Annual Affirmation & SPRS Updates

• Submit an annual affirmation of compliance signed by an “affirming official.”
• Keep your CMMC status and unique identifiers (UIDs) for all covered systems current in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).

2. Continuous Monitoring

• Implement real-time monitoring of systems, networks, and access controls.
• Use tools like SIEM for log analysis and anomaly detection.
• Maintain incident response plans, test them regularly, and log all incidents.

3. Regular Security Audits & Assessments

• Conduct internal audits to verify compliance and identify gaps.
• Prepare for triennial third-party or DoD-led assessments (Levels 2 and 3).
• Perform annual self-assessments for Level 1.

4. Patch & Vulnerability Management

• Apply timely patches and updates to systems.
• Regularly scan for vulnerabilities and remediate them promptly.

5. Maintenance Domain Controls

• Schedule and document all hardware/software maintenance.
• Restrict maintenance to authorized personnel and log all activities.
• Secure remote maintenance sessions and enforce change control.

6. Policy & Training

• Keep security policies updated to reflect evolving CMMC requirements.
• Train employees on cyber hygiene and incident reporting.
• Monitor third-party vendors for compliance.

7. Stay Current with CMMC Updates

• Track changes to CMMC standards and adjust practices accordingly.
• Engage with C3PAOs or RPOs for guidance on evolving requirements.

The takeaway: CMMC requires continuous effort and attention

Wherever you’re at in your CMMC journey, compliance requires significant time, effort, expertise, and technology. Here at Corsica Technologies, our team of CMMC experts has helped numerous contractors achieve and maintain compliance over the long haul. Get in touch today, and let’s take the next step in your CMMC compliance journey.

Ready to take the next step?

Contact us today to take the next step in achieving and maintaining CMMC compliance.

Contact Us Now →

In this article:

What is the CMMC Final Rule?

What changed on 9/10/25?

What are the Level 2 requirements in Phase 1?

Can I renew a contract without compliance?

How do I comply with the CMMC?

How do CMMC assessments work?

What cybersecurity controls do I need?

What if we’re already CMMC compliant?

What ongoing maintenance do I need?

✅ Ready to get compliant?

Contact Us Now →

The post CMMC Final Rule: How to Achieve Compliance appeared first on Corsica Technologies.

So what happened here? How can manufacturers prevent similar cyberattacks?

How can they implement proper disaster recovery plans?

We’ll cover all that and more.

Key takeaways:

• Jaguar Land Rover experienced a devastating cyberattack in August 2025 that forced the company to shut down operations.
• Cyber criminals most likely used social engineering and vishing to execute the initial breach of systems.
• Manufacturers in all verticals should establish layered cybersecurity defenses to prevent this type of attack.

What happened in the Jaguar cyberattack?

In late August 2025, a cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) severely disrupted the company’s manufacturing and retail operations, leading to a global production shutdown. The attack was claimed by a hacker group known as Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, a collective linked to previous breaches at other companies. The incident forced JLR to proactively shut down its systems to contain the damage. 

How did the criminals launch the attack?

The hackers gained access to JLR’s manufacturing IT systems, most likely through a sophisticated vishing campaign. The criminal group, which includes elements of the Scattered Spider, Lapsus$, and ShinyHunters collectives, is known for using social engineering tactics to breach systems and obtain access.

Unfortunately, this attack vector is often effective in manufacturing, where operational technology (OT) often integrates with traditional IT systems. This creates a complex environment with many potential vulnerabilities requiring constant monitoring and management.

How did the attack affect Jaguar’s operations?

This was a devastating cyberattack that forced Jaguar to shut down production and sales activities. The effects of the attack also rippled out into the broader supply chain in the auto industry.

Here are the detailed repercussions of the breach.

• Production halt: JLR was forced to stop manufacturing at its global manufacturing sites, including its main UK factories. JLR announced the initial shutdown on September 1, then extended the pause until at least September 24 as a forensic investigation and system rebuild continued.
• Financial losses: The production halt is estimated to have cost JLR millions of pounds per week, with some sources reporting losses of up to £50 million weekly.
• Supply chain fallout: The disruption had a ripple effect across the automotive supply chain, with thousands of workers at suppliers affected and some smaller companies facing bankruptcy.
• Data breach: While JLR initially stated there was no evidence of customer data theft, they later confirmed that some company data had been affected. This included the potential compromise of internal systems, though the full scope was still under investigation.
• Hacker activity: Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters reportedly targeted JLR during a key sales period, possibly leveraging a known vulnerability through social engineering. The group also used a public Telegram channel to boast about the attack and issue threats against other companies.

How can organizations prevent similar attacks?

Unfortunately, JLR isn’t the only manufacturer that’s vulnerable to cyberattacks. This incident highlights the need for a multi-layered, proactive cybersecurity strategy with robust toolsets and continuous monitoring by human experts.

While that might sound intimidating, this level of security is actually quite attainable. Manufacturers in all verticals can take seven steps to prevent similar attacks.

1. Strengthen access controls and authentication

• Adopt strong passwords and MFA. Enforce strict password policies and require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users, particularly for accounts with privileged access.
• Implement least privilege. Restrict user access to only the data and systems necessary for their job functions. This limits a hacker’s ability to move laterally across the network after an initial breach.

2. Prioritize employee training and awareness

• Conduct regular training. Educate employees on how to recognize and report common cyber threats like phishing, which is a major entry point for attackers.
• Run phishing simulations. Test and reinforce employee vigilance with simulated phishing exercises.

3. Maintain updated systems and software

• Patch vulnerabilities promptly. Keep all operating systems and software updated with the latest security patches. This fixes known vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.
• Automate patch management. Use a patch management system to ensure updates are deployed consistently and in a timely manner.

4. Secure networks and endpoints

• Use firewalls. Deploy firewalls to control network traffic and block unauthorized access.
• Encrypt data. Encrypt all sensitive data, both in transit and at rest, to make it unreadable to unauthorized parties.
• Implement endpoint protection. Install and maintain antivirus and anti-malware software on all devices.

5. Manage third-party vendor risk

Assess the cybersecurity posture of all third-party vendors and ensure they meet your security standards. Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in a supplier’s network to access your own systems.

6. Prepare comprehensive plans for incident response and disaster recovery

• Create a detailed plan. Establish a clear, documented plan outlining the steps to be taken in case of a breach. This ensures a coordinated and rapid response.
• Conduct data backups. Regularly back up all critical data and store it securely, preferably following the 3-2-1 rule (three copies, two different media, one off-site).
• Implement a “killswitch.” Have a plan to quickly shut down affected systems to contain the spread of an attack.

7. Continuously monitor and audit

• Employ network monitoring. Use tools to continuously monitor your network for suspicious activity.
• Perform regular audits. Conduct security audits and vulnerability assessments to proactively identify weaknesses in your security defenses.

What if an organization doesn’t have cybersecurity staff?

If you don’t have cybersecurity experts on staff, you’re not alone. Even large manufacturers struggle to cover all their needs with staff hiring.

This is where an MSSP (managed security services provider) comes in. An MSSP provides the guidance, processes, tools, and human experts to make your cybersecurity strategy a reality.

An MSSP like Corsica Technologies is more affordable than you might think. Most organizations pay roughly the cost of one staff hire—while gaining access to an entire team of experts as well as established tools and processes.

Use our FREE MSSP Pricing Calculator to estimate your cost.

The takeaway: Get the layered protection you need

The world of cyberattacks is constantly evolving, but you don’t have to fall prey to devastation. The key is layered defenses and an affordable cost structure. Here at Corsica Technologies, we’ve helped 1,000+ clients achieve their business goals through technology. Contact us today, and let’s get started on the next phase in your journey.

Ready to improve your cybersecurity?

Reach out to schedule a consultation with our security specialists.

Schedule Now

The post What Companies Can Learn from the Jaguar Cyberattack appeared first on Corsica Technologies.

AI has changed the world of cybersecurity forever. New threats are appearing that were unthinkable before AI. Leaders in IT and business are asking themselves tough questions:  

• “Are we educated on the latest AI cyber attacks?”
• “Is our team familiar with phishing email examples—and how AI makes them even more powerful?”
• “Are we using the latest AI technology to stop these attacks?”

Here’s everything you need to know to protect your organization.

In this article:

• How AI is used in cyber attacks
• The danger of personalized attacks driven by AI
• Statistics about the growth of AI cyber attacks
• How to prevent AI cyber attacks

How is AI used in cyber attacks?

There are two primary strategies that attackers exploit to launch an AI-powered attack:

1. Social engineering
2. Software vulnerabilities

Unfortunately, AI greatly increases the effectiveness of attacks in both categories. Here are the kinds of AI-powered attacks that we block most often for our clients.

1. AI-driven social engineering attacks

• Generic AI-powered phishing. Attackers use AI to generate a phishing email and send it to many people. The message isn’t personalized, but it uses social engineering tactics (like urgency and fear) to manipulate the user into clicking a link or downloading an attachment.
• Personalized AI-powered phishing. Attack strategies such asspear phishing, whaling, and clone phishing are highly personalized. Criminals can use AI to target a specific company or individual using information that’s available about them online. (We’ll unpack all of these in more detail below, as there are many types of personalized phishing.)

2. AI-driven exploits of software vulnerabilities

AI can perform vast amounts of analysis much faster than a human. This makes it the ideal tool to discover, catalog, and exploit vulnerabilities in software systems.

Here are some of the most common vulnerabilities that can be discovered and exploited with AI.

• Misconfigured security settings. Unfortunately, default security settings are rarely adequate, especially for cloud systems. It’s also possible to make mistakes when configuring security settings. AI tools can detect these vulnerabilities easily.
• Inappropriate user permissions. The principle of least privilege states that a given user should have only as much access as they need to do their job. However, many systems have their users configured with far more permissions than they actually need. Once an attacker has gained access to a system, they can use AI to catalog and exploit these misconfigured permissions.
• Insecure APIs. AI can detect APIs with expired or insecure security settings, making it easy to exploit these weaknesses.
• Weak passwords. AI is a game-changer in cryptography. It can crack weak passwords far more quickly than human actors can.
• Unpatched systems. If a software vendor has discovered a vulnerability and released a patch for that system, AI can determine whether the patch was applied to a given instance. This empowers attackers to identify unpatched systems, then go after them.  

Can AI-powered attacks target specific organizations or people?

Yes. AI excels at creating personalized, highly believable attacks. Here are some examples of AI-powered phishing strategies that we see frequently.

• AI-driven executive impersonation. AI tools make it incredibly easy for attackers to impersonate an executive. This usually takes the form of an urgent message that appears to come from a person in leadership at the organization. AI can craft unique messages based on any information available to the attacker, making this strategy especially dangerous.
• AI-driven whaling. A whaling attack flips executive impersonation on its head. The target is the executive. Since leaders often have sweeping permissions and access to many critical systems, they make a lucrative target for attackers. AI-driven whaling attacks use AI to craft highly personalized, believable messages that get leaders to take action and compromise systems without realizing it.
• AI-driven clone phishing. Clone phishing involves sending a new email in an existing thread with a trusted contact. The email appears to be from the contact, making it especially dangerous—and AI makes it easier than ever for attackers to impersonate trusted contacts.
• AI-driven vishing. Voice phishing, or “vishing,” is any phishing attack that happens over a phone call. AI is especially insidious here, as it empowers attackers to create live, reactive AI agents that speak and sound like a person known to the victim.

Every one of these attack types was dangerous before the advent of AI. But AI tools have taken these possibilities to the next level. Every organization should expect to get personalized, AI-driven phishing attacks.

How common are AI cyber attacks?

Unfortunately, AI cyber attacks are growing more and more common every day. Here are some concerning statistics.

• 82.6% of phishing emails are now generated by AI—a YoY increase of 53.5%.
• Phishing attacks in general have surged 1200% since the advent of GenAI in 2022.
• Credential-based phishing attacks grew 703% in 2024 due to the appearance of premade, AI-generated phishing kits.

So what’s the impact of AI on cyber attacks?

As you can see, AI-driven attacks are now a serious factor in cybersecurity.

But how do you prevent them, educate your users, and protect your data and systems?

How can I prevent AI cyber attacks?

The answer depends on the type of attack. Since social engineering attacks and software vulnerability exploits are the two most common categories, we’ll look at them in detail.

How to stop AI-driven social engineering attacks

There are two components to a healthy strategy here.

• Technology. The first line of defense against AI-powered phishing attacks is to ensure these emails never reach users’ inboxes. You can achieve this with email security tools. Here at Corsica Technologies, we use AI-powered solutions to detect dangerous emails and quarantine them—so users never even see them.
• User training. No technology is foolproof. Even the best email security solution may allow the occasional phishing email to pass through to the inbox. Ultimately, your best defense is education. You want to give your employees phish testing and awareness training so they’re prepared to deal with threats. And since phishing strategies continue to evolve in the age of AI, you’ll want to give this training on a regular basis. Many of our clients choose to do it quarterly.

Both technology and training are critical, and they work together to stop AI social engineering attacks.

How to stop AI-driven exploits of software vulnerabilities

The key here is to stay on top of patching. You need to know which systems require a patch—and you need the resources to test and apply patches at scale.

Here at Corsica Technologies, we use sophisticated technologies, including AI-enabled solutions, to stay on top of patches for our clients. This ensures that we deal with the highest-risk scenarios in a timely fashion.

The takeaway: Don’t wait to prepare for AI cyber attacks

A few years ago, the idea of AI attacks at scale was a looming probability but not a reality. That has changed. AI-powered attacks are here—and they’re affecting our clients every day. If you need help defending your organization from sophisticated attacks, contact us today. Let’s discuss your vulnerabilities, your cybersecurity standing, and how we can help you become more secure.

Want to protect your organization form AI cyber threats?

Reach out to schedule a consultation with our cybersecurity specialists.

Schedule Now

The post AI Cyber Threats: How to Stop the Latest Attacks appeared first on Corsica Technologies.

Are you aware of your cybersecurity vulnerabilities? When was the last time you conducted a vulnerability assessment?

If it’s been a while—or if you’ve never done an assessment—then you may have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Unfortunately, this is not a one-and-done endeavor. New vulnerabilities can arise as technology continues to evolve.

The solution to this problem is regular vulnerability assessments and management. Here’s everything you need to know about this important process.

Key takeaways:

• Vulnerability management requires regular attention to identify and address vulnerabilities.
• Midsize businesses commonly experience vulnerabilities like broken authorization, unpatched systems, and weak default security.
• Vulnerability scanning is crucial to uncover specific weaknesses in systems.
• MSSPs (managed security service providers) can help with vulnerability management.

1. What is vulnerability management?

Vulnerability management is the process of regularly auditing endpoints (network connected devices), systems, and workloads to detect cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The process also involves patching any vulnerabilities discovered.

While the core principles of vulnerability management are the same across all scenarios, the right approach will look different at different organizations. Factors like specific regulatory compliance, operational challenges, risk tolerance, and unique cybersecurity vulnerabilities should all dictate the approach that an organization takes.

Consequently, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to vulnerability management. You need dedicated experts who can apply best practices to your scenario and manage vulnerabilities regularly.

2. What is a vulnerability assessment?

A vulnerability assessment is a systematic audit of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in a network or system. The process uncovers known vulnerabilities and prioritizes them according to their severity level.

A comprehensive assessment should also provide next steps for remediating any vulnerabilities that were uncovered. This ensures that you don’t only uncover problems—you also understand how to fix them.

A vulnerability assessment is typically conducted by an MSSP (managed cybersecurity services provider), who offers an unbiased, outside perspective and a process that follows industry best practices.

Here at Corsica Technologies, we offer comprehensive vulnerability assessments. Contact us today to get started.

3. What’s the difference between a vulnerability, a threat, and a risk?

These terms sound similar, but they refer to different things.

• A cybersecurity vulnerability is a weakness or flaw within a system that a malicious actor could exploit to launch an attack.
• A cybersecurity threat is a situation or event, real or potential, in which a malicious actor exploits a vulnerability to launch an attack.
• A cybersecurity risk is the potential damage a business would sustain, whether financial, operational, physical, legal, or reputational, due to a successful cyberattack.  

4. What are the most common cybersecurity vulnerabilities in mid-sized businesses?

Here at Corsica Technologies, we’ve helped 1,000+ clients with IT and cybersecurity issues. Here are the most common vulnerabilities that we find when a company comes to us.

• Java vulnerabilities
• Broken authorization
• Unpatched systems
• Weak default security settings (including cloud systems)
• User accounts with excessive permissions
• Weak passwords
• Reused passwords
• Lack of MFA (multi-factor authentication)
• End-of-life applications
• Systems that are not scanned by MDR (managed detection and response)
• Unsecured APIs

5. How can I find out what vulnerabilities exist in my environment?

Here’s what it takes to manage cybersecurity vulnerabilities in-house.

1. A vulnerability scanning tool that’s suited to your environment and budget.
2. A dedicated process and schedule for running scans and dealing with the results.
3. Cybersecurity professionals on staff with the necessary expertise to run scans, interpret the results, and implement fixes on a regular basis.

Many organizations struggle to hire and retain staff resources to manage vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity professionals command high salaries and frequently change jobs.

This is why many companies choose an MSSP (managed cybersecurity service provider) to manage vulnerabilities on a regular basis.

6. Are there tools that scan for vulnerabilities in our network or cloud systems?

If you have cybersecurity experts on staff, there are many tools that they can use to scan your network and cloud systems for vulnerabilities. However, note that some tools are good at finding vulnerabilities, some are good at patching them, and some are good at both. At the end of the day, some vulnerabilities will always require manual intervention to fix.

The challenge here is finding the bandwidth and expertise on your team to manage vulnerabilities. This is why many organizations choose Corsica Technologies to assist. When you bundle vulnerability management with other cybersecurity services, you can cover all your needs for roughly the cost of one staff hire. Learn more here: Corsica Secure Service Bundle.

7. What should I do if a vulnerability is discovered in one of our systems?

Vulnerabilities occur regularly in complex and interconnected systems. If you discover one, rest assured—it’s a common occurrence.

However, that doesn’t mean your vulnerability is insignificant. Weaknesses should be addressed as soon as possible, even if they’ve been around for a while.

Here’s what you should do if you discover a vulnerability:

1. Understand the scope of the weakness. What systems are affected? What functions within those systems are contributing to the vulnerability?
2. Determine if your vulnerability management software can execute a fix. If it’s a known vulnerability in a supported system, the software may be able to address it. If not, you will need to apply a manual fix.
3. If a manual fix is required, understand the scope of the fix and what it will take to implement it.
4. Implement the fix.
5. Scan the system again and see if the vulnerability has been addressed.

As you can see, this is a lot of work for an IT staff member who has other responsibilities. This is one of the primary reasons that most companies outsource their vulnerability management to an MSSP (managed cybersecurity service provider) like Corsica Technologies.

8. Who should be responsible for patching vulnerabilities—internal IT or a vendor?

The answer depends on the system in question, whether it’s governed by a vendor contract, and whether the vendor has promised to address vulnerabilities.

If you have general IT staff who assist with day-to-day operations, they may not be the right resources to patch critical issues. Managing these vulnerabilities requires bandwidth and expertise—two things that general IT staff may not have when it comes to highly specific systems and patches.

If you work with an MSSP (managed cybersecurity service provider), they should handle everything related to vulnerability management—from scans and assessments to applying patches and retesting.

9. How fast do we need to act on a new zero-day vulnerability?

The right answer depends on several factors.

• Are hackers actively exploiting the vulnerability and attacking your system?
• What’s the potential operational impact of launching a patch quickly, without adequate testing?
• What’s the potential security impact of delaying the patch for full testing?
• How much do you value security over operational disruption?

With these factors in mind, we generally recommend starting the appropriate process (whether patching with full testing or without, as determined by your priorities) within hours or days of discovering the vulnerability.

10. Should we use a managed service provider (MSP or MSSP) to handle vulnerability management?

Vulnerability management is a complex discipline that requires specialized expertise and regular attention. Every assessment needs human execution, interpretation, and implementation of fixes.

Most organizations will get the best value by outsourcing vulnerability management to a trusted partner. In addition to vulnerability management, the right MSSP should offer access to an entire team of cybersecurity professionals for roughly the cost of one staff hire. That’s what we provide here at Corsica Technologies.

The takeaway: Don’t wait to address vulnerabilities

You don’t know what you don’t know. If it’s been a while since your last vulnerability assessment, it’s time to see where you stand. Get in touch with us today, and we’ll review your environment, explain any vulnerabilities discovered, and build a plan for addressing them. We can also assist with regular vulnerability management so your team can focus on their core responsibilities. Contact us to get started.

Ready to manage your vulnerabilities?

Reach out to schedule a consultation with our cybersecurity specialists.

Schedule Now

The post Assessing and Managing Vulnerabilities in Cybersecurity: 10 Key Questions appeared first on Corsica Technologies.

What guardrails should you put in place with your AI strategy?

How do you empower your team to leverage AI while also mitigating any risks?  

AI governance is the answer. Here’s everything you need to know.  

Key takeaways:

• AI governance ensures that your employees use AI in acceptable ways.
• Strategic vision, change management, data governance, and cybersecurity are core pillars of AI governance.
• AI governance consultants can help you establish your policies with the right frameworks and tools.

What is AI governance? 

AI governance refers to the policies and frameworks that an organization puts in place to ensure that its employees use AI ethically, securely, and effectively. Governance policies often go beyond risk mitigation as well, seeking to maximize the value that a company gets from AI.  

Many organizations are just waking up to the fact that they need AI governance policies. The technology is advancing so quickly—and is so widely available—that employees may be using AI tools already, whether their leadership team realizes it or not. Companies need to get control of this area with intelligent AI governance policies.  

Download our GenAI Policy Template >>

As you can imagine, AI governance comes with several challenges. Here’s what you need to know.  

What are the challenges of AI governance? 

Whether AI adoption is coordinated or happening in an ad hoc fashion, it can have repercussions throughout an organization. Here are several specific challenges that AI governance should address.    

Defining a vision for AI 

Without a clear vision from leadership, different teams and individual employees may react differently to the introduction of AI. When leadership articulates a vision, it helps everyone to understand what AI means in the context of the organization’s unique operational processes.  

Cultural change 

AI is such a new technology, it will almost certainly change your organization’s culture. Whenever your culture starts to change, you want to get control of that change and give it the right shape.  

This is why AI governance must account for cultural change. You want to let your teams know exactly how the company will be using AI, what’s expected of them, and how AI will impact their jobs. Communicating things like this before, during, and after AI implementation can help provide clarity and craft a culture that has a positive, informed view of AI.  

Ethics 

AI presents a new way of working. Users can achieve tasks in seconds or minutes that were incredibly difficult or time-consuming before.  

Yet with great power comes great responsibility.  

It’s important to specify what kind of AI use is acceptable—and what’s not acceptable. You may find that some employees are already using AI to perform tasks while still getting credit for doing the work manually. You may also find that some employees are using AI outputs without checking them for quality or accuracy. There are many ways that people can get into ethical trouble with AI, so a good governance policy should spell out exactly what the organization expects.  

Data governance 

On the technical side, it’s important to set up your AI tools with the best possible datasets. Unfortunately, few organizations consider this before implementing AI. They may have some files stored locally, some in the cloud, and no cohesive system bringing them all together. AI can only work with the data it has, so the best AI implementations begin with a cohesive approach to data storage.  

Of course, permissions and access are a key part of this as well. If file permissions aren’t set up properly, an AI tool may return answers from a document that a user isn’t supposed to access. The good news is that Microsoft Copilot, when implemented on top of proper permissions in Microsoft 365, automatically shows users only the data to which they have access.  

Cybersecurity 

When it comes to cybersecurity, not all AI tools have your best interests in mind.  

Specifically, the public version of ChatGPT is continuously trained on information entered into prompts. If one of your employees types some proprietary data into ChatGPT and asks the bot to interpret it, that proprietary data may leak out in response to a prompt from another user.  

This is a serious issue, and your AI governance policies should take it into account.  

The good news is that Microsoft Copilot doesn’t share your organization’s proprietary data outside your Microsoft environment. Learn more here (scroll down to #7): Microsoft Copilot vs. ChatGPT.   

AI governance frameworks 

How should you go about defining and implementing AI governance?  

An existing framework is a great place to start. The organization that offers the framework has done the heavy lifting, and you can follow the framework exactly or modify it to fit your needs.  

Here are some of the leading AI governance frameworks. Some of these are aimed at organizations that develop AI systems, while others are intended for companies implementing existing AI tools. Wherever your organization lands, it’s worth gaining a directional understanding of current AI governance frameworks as you decide how to proceed.  

• NIST AI Risk Management Framework. This approach helps organizations identify the unique risks that AI may pose to their organization.  

• OECD AI Principles. This set of guidelines promotes the use of AI that is innovative, trustworthy, and respectful of human rights and democratic values.  

• IEEE Ethically Aligned Design. This framework promotes a vision for prioritizing human well-being with autonomous and intelligent systems.  

• AIGA Hourglass Model of AI Governance. This framework uses three conceptual layers (environmental, organizational, and systems) to break out the requirements of AI governance into manageable areas.  

AI Governance Strategy: 7 Bite-Sized Case Studies

See AI Governance Examples

AI governance tools 

It’s a complex undertaking to establish and maintain AI governance. Luckily, it gets easier with the right software. AI governance tools are designed to help organizations implement and manage their AI governance policies efficiently and scale them across the organization.  

Here are a few leading tools:  

• Credo.ai is all about making AI trust a competitive advantage by operationalizing AI governance at scale.  

• Domo integrates AI-powered experiences into its software, making it easier for users to register and manage external AI models securely.  

• WitnessAI enables safe and effective adoption of enterprise AI, with security and governance guardrails for both public and private LLMs. 

While these tools can smooth the path to better AI governance, someone still has to understand them, use them, and implement your governance policies.  

How do you get help with AI governance? 

For busy IT teams, AI governance is a large project to tackle. The impact is even more significant if you don’t have internal IT staff.  

If you have limited bandwidth and you’re not sure where to start, a consultancy offers a great path forward. Here at Corsica Technologies, we can help you define AI governance policies for your organization. An expert partner brings an outside perspective that you can’t get any other way. You can avoid common pitfalls while adapting internal processes to best practices that will align you with AI capabilities and requirements.  

Not ready to talk to a partner? Check out our FREE Generative AI Policy Template. You can use it to start defining AI governance at your organization. 

Download the template now → 

Want to learn more about AI governance?

Reach out to schedule a consultation with our AI specialists.

Schedule Now

The post AI Governance Made Simple  appeared first on Corsica Technologies.

The answer is an IT security assessment. Whether you handle IT in-house, or you use managed IT services, an assessment is critical to protect your data, your users, and your customers.

But what goes into an IT security assessment? How do you find the right partner to conduct your assessment?

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is an IT security assessment?

An IT security assessment is a well-defined process for identifying security risks and vulnerabilities in an organization’s IT environment. Also known as a cybersecurity risk assessment, this process takes a highly systematic approach to dealing with IT security.

Global enterprises may have plenty of IT resources to conduct security assessments internally. However, midmarket companies typically engage a managed IT service provider to assess their environment for security risks. This way, you get an outside perspective and a well-defined process, ensuring you adhere to best practices.

But do you really need an IT security assessment? What do you get out of it?

Why assess your IT security risks?

IT security assessments come with significant benefits when they’re done right. Here’s what you get when you work with Corsica Technologies for your assessment.

1. You get comprehensive visibility of IT security risks

If your IT staff is already busy with daily responsibilities—or if you don’t have IT staff—then it’s tough to dedicate the bandwidth to an internal risk assessment. This leaves you with no visibility into your biggest vulnerabilities.

An IT security assessment solves this problem by overturning every stone. A rigorous methodology and a dedicated third party ensure you get a comprehensive approach. As cyber criminals turn to softer targets for their attacks, they find ideal targets in midmarket organizations with limited IT resources. This means IT security assessments are especially critical for this market segment. 

2. You get a methodology for defining acceptable risk

It’s impossible to eliminate all security risks from your IT environment. To do so, you would have to shut down your essential systems permanently.

Rather than focusing on eliminating risks, an IT security assessment gives you a methodology for defining what levels of risk are acceptable on a quantified scale.

Access our FREE IT security assessment tool today!

Get Your Assessment Now

3. You get a clear roadmap for dealing with IT security risks

Since a good IT security assessment will help you define acceptable levels of risk, it also provides structure for the required risk mitigation efforts. This means you get a clear path for addressing any security risks uncovered in your IT environment.

4. You can implement “just enough” security

Believe it or not, it is possible to implement “too much” security. If you add too many speedbumps to your operational processes, you can create a negative impact on efficiency.

The key is to implement the right amount of security—or “just enough” security. This way, you don’t spend too much on risk mitigation efforts or end up with massive operational roadblocks due to new security measures. An IT security assessment is essential to this approach.

What can happen if you don’t assess IT risks?

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to answer this question with certainty. You don’t know what you don’t know.

However, an IT security assessment helps you prevent many types of incidents. Here are some of the most common.

An employee clicks a link in a phishing email

A phishing email appears to be legitimate, using an urgent message to get the user to click a link or download an attachment. If your employees haven’t been trained to recognize phishing emails, this is a significant risk affecting your IT environment.

Learn more here: Phishing Email Testing for Employees.

Hackers exploit a weak password to hold an IT system for ransom

Older IT systems are likely to have weak password rules—not to mention passwords that haven’t been updated in months or even years. These systems are at high risk of compromise through a credential-based attack.

Once a hacker gains access to your IT systems through a weak password, they can implement ransomware that encrypts data or locks down a system until you pay the ransom. Even if you pay the ransom—which you shouldn’t—hackers may not abide by their promises. They may take the money and run without actually unlocking your systems.

Hackers exploit an outdated server patch

Let’s be honest, are you really keeping up with patches on all devices—computers, servers, and network equipment? It’s challenging to do so.

Unfortunately, outdated IT systems are easy to exploit if a hacker knows how. An IT security assessment can evaluate the state of your patches, highlighting any systems that are vulnerable due to outdated code.

The IT security assessment process

There are many methodologies for assessing IT security risks. Here at Corsica Technologies, we use CIS RAM, one of the leading frameworks for auditing IT security. We like CIS RAM because it provides specific guidelines for modeling risks in different types of organizations. This provides great structure to the process, allowing you to benchmark yourself against best practices.

Here’s how our process looks for a CIS RAM assessment.

• Develop the criteria that we’ll use for risk assessment and risk acceptance.
• Model risks by evaluating the existing implementation of the relevant CIS Safeguards.
• Evaluate risks, estimating the expectancy (i.e. likelihood) and impact of a breach.
• Calculate a quantified score for each risk.
• Suggest implementation of the appropriate CIS Safeguards to reduce risk to acceptable levels.
• Analyze the proposed security controls, ensuring they won’t introduce unacceptable friction to operations.

What should you look for in an IT security assessment?

Not all service providers approach these assessments the same way. Some will provide the security assessment alone, with no plan to help you secure your IT systems.

If you have the staff resources to develop and implement your own plan, that may work just fine. However, most midmarket companies struggle to supply those resources. They need a provider who doesn’t stop with the assessment. Rather, they need a provider who also offers a clear path forward and can implement and maintain your security controls—or assist your team in doing so. That’s our approach here at Corsica Technologies.

The takeaway: Don’t wait to assess IT security risks

If you haven’t assessed your IT security recently, it’s time to see where you’re at. You can’t mitigate a risk that you don’t know about, and an assessment helps uncover every vulnerability. Use our free IT security assessment tool to help evaluate where you stand

If you’re ready to get full visibility into your risks—plus a plan for addressing them—then contact us today. Let’s take your next step and secure your IT systems.

Ready to assess your IT security?

Reach out to schedule a consultation with our specialists.

Schedule Now

The post IT Security Assessments: Getting the Right Controls in Place appeared first on Corsica Technologies.

“The thing I appreciate most about Jared, my vCIO, is that we can work directly and honestly together.”

—Carl Young, CIO 

“Corsica didn’t come in and say, here’s what we can do for you, we can get rid of your IT dept. No, they want to work hand in hand with you and be a partner. It fits our model to a T.”

—Greg Sopcak, 1st VP of IT

See Greg’s story here: How Southern Michigan Bank Filled IT Resource Gaps and Refocused on Their Core Business.

3. End user IT support services

Your business can grind to a halt if your users are having problems with computer hardware or software. End user IT support solves this problem with expert, responsive services to keep your team working and being productive.

End user support varies widely depending on your business’s IT needs. However, here are some common components of this type of service.

• Workstation support. If your team needs help with their physical computers, your MSP can assist—either through remote-access software or in-person.
• Application support. Your MSP may be able to help with challenges related to specific end user applications.
• Printer support. Printers are far from obsolete in the internet age, and they still give people trouble. Your MSP may be able to help with IT support for printers and copiers.
• Mobile device support. How will your business handle personal devices accessing your network? We cover this critical type of IT support below.

End user support can cover the “small stuff” all the way up to business-critical outages. Here’s how the Corsica team helped our clients with one of the biggest workstation issues in recent memory: What The CrowdStrike Windows Outage Tells Us About Disaster Preparedness.

4. Mobile device support

Today’s hybrid workforce creates unique challenges for IT support. How do you give your employees the business access they need on personal mobile devices—while still protecting your data and your network?

There are two types of software that can help with this challenge.

• MDM (mobile device management)
• MAM (mobile application management)

While these sound similar, they’re actually quite different. Each one is right for certain use cases—and not right for others. If you’re looking for business IT support, make sure you ask about mobile devices as you evaluate different providers. Learn more here: MDM vs. MAM.

5. Business network IT support

The larger your business, the more complex your IT support becomes in terms of your network. Users, firewalls, devices, monitoring and logs—it’s a lot to handle.

This is why many businesses choose to outsource this type of IT support. Working with a trusted partner like Corsica, you get expert help with:

• Network design
• Network implementation
• Network management
• Network security
• Troubleshooting and support
• Network upgrades

Here at Corsica, our comprehensive network support covers all kinds of devices connected to the network.

• Modems
• Firewalls
• Routers
• Switches
• Wireless access points (known as WAPs or APs)

There’s a lot to know about network services. Read more here: Managed Network Services 101.

6. Support for Microsoft 365 and Active Directory

Microsoft 365 isn’t a “set it and forget it” system. Neither is Active Directory. Both systems require IT support services to keep businesses running smoothly. These services may include:

• Adding and configuring new users and their permissions
• Removing old users to prevent cybersecurity vulnerabilities
• Synchronizing Microsoft 365 and Active Directory
• Cleansing data to prepare for Microsoft Copilot
• Migrating and/or consolidating SharePoint data

Here at Corsica, our flagship service package, Corsica Secure, includes full IT support for Microsoft 365 and Active Directory.

7. Backup and recovery support services

What are you going to do if a critical server gets wiped? Do you have processes and systems in place to restore a backup?

How resilient is your business? Are you prepared to bounce back and keep functioning during a data loss crisis?

These are huge questions that every business should ask as they evaluate their IT support options. The worst thing in the world is to lose critical data—with no way to restore it or keep your business functioning.

Here at Corsica, we address this risk through backup and disaster recovery services. We provide the processes, systems, and personnel to ensure you’re ready when the unthinkable happens. Learn more here: Backup and Disaster Recovery Services 101.

8. Cloud migration IT support

Cloud migrations can get pretty complicated. The more complex the business’s on-premises IT systems, the more risk there is of choosing the wrong cloud migration strategy.

When you add regulatory compliance on top of this, things get really challenging!

The key here is to engage a business IT support provider who really knows what they’re doing. Their expertise matters in two specific ways.

• They should be experts in your industry and the relevant regulation.
• They should be experts in cloud systems, able to advise on the right path.

What does this look like in real life?

Just ask Dana McConnell, who works for the Center for Developmental Services in Greenville, SC.

“HIPAA compliance was very complex… [now] people say, ‘Wow, you you've got a really robust IT system.’ We just smile and say, yeah, we have people. And y’all are our people.”

—Dana McConnell, Executive Director

Check out Dana’s story here: HIPAA Compliance and Cloud Migration.

9. Cloud managed data center services

For many businesses, the on-premises data center is a thing of the past. Essential systems are hosted in the cloud, not locally—which means they need their own kind of IT support services.

Yet midmarket companies don’t always have the resources to hire cloud experts on staff. If they have an IT support team, they’re already stretched thin supporting the business—while other companies may have no IT staff at all.

In both scenarios, outsourcing to a partner makes sense. Here at Corsica, we manage cloud systems and data centers with a full team of experts. Learn more here: Cloud Managed Data Center Services.

10. Managed VoIP support

Is your old phone system holding you back? If so, you’re not alone. Older business telephony leaves a lot to be desired. You may encounter lackluster call quality, difficult dialing rules, physical phones that are hard to move around the office, and infrastructure that’s expensive to maintain or upgrade. Your IT support partner may or may not be able to help you, which means you’ll need another service provider to support your business.

Luckily, you can give your employees and customers the effortless calling they deserve. The key is a managed VoIP solution.

VoIP (voice over internet protocol) is a next-generation technology that transmits phone calls over the internet. VoIP solves some of the challenges associated with older technology, providing greater flexibility and reliability—plus user-friendly features.

Businesses are turning to VoIP because the benefits are so simple and easy to realize. VoIP is:

• More affordable
• Runs on network hardware that you already have
• Managed by experts

Learn more here: Corsica’s Managed VoIP Solutions.

11. Custom business software support

If you’re using legacy processes, you may be suffering from inefficiencies. This is especially true if you’re using legacy technology to support these older processes.

There’s a reactive component to business IT support, in which your provider responds to issues. But what about the proactive component? What if your provider zoomed out and looked at the high-level challenges you face, then advised on the best way to solve these challenges with new technology?

That’s what we did for Michael Thena, Tech Coordinator for the Honor Flight Network. Michael put it this way:

“We’d been running off an Excel file and paperwork, and it was completely time-consuming… [Corsica’s custom solution] has completely transformed how we do what we do.”

—Michael Thena, Tech Coordinator 

Check out Michael’s story: How The Honor Flight Network Eliminated Spreadsheets and Refocused on Veterans.

12. Cybersecurity risk assessments

IT support isn’t complete if it doesn’t include cybersecurity. This can take numerous forms, but for many businesses, the first step—or a recurring step—is to get a cybersecurity risk assessment.

Going through this process provides several benefits. You get:

1. Enterprise-level knowledge of risk
2. A methodology for defining the threshold of acceptable risk
3. A clear plan for mitigating risks to acceptable levels
4. A clear plan for implementing “just enough” security so you don’t bog down your operations

As you evaluate your options in business IT support, don’t neglect cybersecurity risk. Learn more here: The Nuts and Bolts of Cybersecurity Risk Assessments.

13. Cybersecurity awareness training

Many businesses don’t realize where their biggest cybersecurity risk lies.

Certainly, unsecured IT systems and lack of cybersecurity support are important factors. But the biggest risk is actually much closer to home.

It’s employees who haven’t been fully trained on cybersecurity awareness.

Not every IT support partner can help your business with this awareness. But here at Corsica, we take cybersecurity training seriously. It’s a core part of our offering to every client. Learn more here: Cybersecurity Awareness Training Services.

14. Managed cyber security services

Who’s taking care of your cyber security?

This is a crucial question in today’s modern threat landscape. Businesses face more dangers than ever, and not every IT support company is up to the challenge of managing cyber security. Some companies will outsource it to a third party, which leads to lack of coordination and service integration.

The solution?

Treat IT support and cybersecurity as the same discipline. After all, every IT responsibility is also a cybersecurity responsibility. You really need an integrated team of experts taking a holistic approach. Here’s what this looks like at Corsica: Managed Cyber Security Services.

15. Cybersecurity incident remediation services

Are you prepared for a devastating cybersecurity incident?

Do you have the cash reserves to hire cybersecurity experts to clean up a disaster?

Most businesses don’t. And their IT support partners will be happy to bill at a premium when the unthinkable happens.

What’s the alternative?

A cybersecurity service guarantee. Here at Corsica, that means we cover the cost of our services to remediate a devastating cybersecurity incident, with limitations. Learn more here: Our Cybersecurity Service Guarantee.

16. Data integration support

Unfortunately, most IT support providers can’t help you with data integration. You’ll need a specialized provider for that.

Yet data integration is the lifeblood of your business, and the more IT providers you work with, the more complicated things get. How can you get the support you need without acting as a referee between multiple vendors?

Here at Corsica, we are a one-stop-shop for all your support needs—including data integration, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and traditional IT.

What does this look like in real life?

Just ask Dana McConnell, Executive Director at the Center for Developmental Services in Greenville, SC.

“Having six different entities all integrating their networks, our phone systems, the security systems, medical records and HIPAA compliance was very complex. We don’t have an internal IT person on staff.”

—Dana McConnell, Executive Director

Moving forward with business IT support

Here at Corsica, we take a unique approach to IT support. You get:

• A one-stop-shop for IT, cybersecurity, EDI, data integration, and digital transformation, delivered by an integrated team of experts.
• Experienced, C-level perspective from a seasoned vCIO (virtual CIO).
• A 3-year technology roadmap to help you achieve your business goals with the right IT support and technology investments.
• The service bundle you need for one predictable monthly price (i.e. no surprise billing).

Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to start your transformation.

Contact Us Now →

The post Business IT Support: 17 Real-Life Examples appeared first on Corsica Technologies.

Cloud migrations allow organizations to leverage the full power of the cloud. Yet cloud migrations aren’t without security risks. As Forbes reports, 94% of cloud customers were targeted every month in 2023—while 62% of them were successfully compromised.

Whether you use a partner for cloud managed services or handle things in-house, those are startling numbers. They highlight the fact that organizations must place cybersecurity at the core of every technology initiative, including cloud migrations.

But what does it take to migrate to the cloud securely? How do you leverage the benefits of cloud hosting while securing your data, your users, and your systems?

Here’s everything we’ve learned in working with 1,000+ clients for cloud consulting, cybersecurity, managed services, and more.

1. Assess risk on existing systems first

If you’re retiring an on-premises system, does it really matter what security risks that system creates? Aren’t you retiring those risks?

In a sense, yes. But some risks may be inherent to the function of the system that’s migrating to the cloud. It’s worth assessing all such risks. Doing so will help you see if you’re going to “migrate existing risks” to the cloud.

Which leads us to our next step.

2. Understand if you’re going to migrate existing risks to the cloud

Among cloud migration strategies, it isn’t always advisable to “forklift” a system (i.e. to rebuild it in the cloud with the same architecture). But if you’re looking at this migration strategy, you want to proceed with caution. You could end up migrating your existing risk into the cloud.

Even if you’re not rebuilding an entire architecture in the cloud, you’ll want to have a full understanding of how your migration may give extended life to existing risks from your on-premises systems. If you’re working with a cloud managed service provider like Corsica Technologies, we can help you get the full picture.

Of course, security doesn’t end with your existing systems. Which leads us to our next step.

3. Understand your cloud service provider’s default security measures

Believe it or not, cloud systems aren’t necessarily optimized for your security needs by default. Different organizations and industries have different requirements, which means cloud systems must be configured and managed to ensure proper security within your operational context.

That said, you should definitely examine your cloud service provider’s default security measures and configuration options. Here are some of the most important things you should look at.

• Support for regulatory compliance. Is your industry governed by HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS, or another cybersecurity regulatory framework? Make sure your chosen cloud service provider has full capabilities in this area.
• Infrastructure security. Ask tough questions about your cloud service provider’s firewalls, maintenance and management practices, permission structures, and email encryption.
• Backup and disaster recovery protocols and systems. What happens if your cloud service provider loses all data from a server? Make sure you understand their backup and recovery terms fully.
• Customer testimonials and referrals. What is the provider’s record and reputation in terms of security? It’s especially helpful to get testimonials and referrals from customers in your industry.

4. Assess net-new risks that may arise after migration

Any change to your overall data landscape will change your cybersecurity posture. This means you need to assess any net-new risks that will emerge after you launch your new cloud system.

Broadly speaking, these potential risks fall into several categories.

• Expanded network perimeter. There’s no way around it—new cloud system will grow your network perimeter. Whether this is your first cloud migration, or you’re already familiar with the world of hybrid cloud management, this change will come with new security requirements.
• “Soft center” vulnerabilities. How hard is it for a hacker to move within your network once they’ve gained access? It should be difficult, but legacy architectures and cybersecurity implementations may have a hard outer perimeter with a soft center. The answer is to move toward a Zero Trust strategy.
• User accounts and permissions. Your new cloud system will come with its own user accounts and permissions. These will require the right cybersecurity controls. Typically, that includes MFA (multi-factor authentication), strong password rules, Azure Active Directory integration, and permissions that adhere to the principle of least privilege.
• Supply-chain vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity doesn’t end with the systems under your organization’s control. The interconnected nature of today’s world means that hackers can compromise a connected system outside your control, then use that access to breach your systems. This is called a supply chain attack. You’ll want to understand any supply chain vulnerabilities that a cloud service provider may present—so you can make appropriate decisions.

5. Create your risk mitigation plan

Once you have a clear picture of your risk landscape, you can build a plan to mitigate those risks in an orderly fashion. It’s important to take this step and not just dive into implementing your changes. You want to ensure that every item is covered. You also want to start with higher-impact changes and move to lower-impact changes in descending order. This helps you get the maximum increase in cybersecurity quickly.

Of course, if you don’t have cybersecurity expertise on staff, it may not be clear how to build this plan. A cloud managed services provider like Corsica can assist with prioritization and implementation of new security controls.

6. Implement, manage, and maintain your plan

It’s one thing to create that risk mitigation plan. But who’s going to implement it?

And after each successive implementation, who’s going to manage and maintain your new systems, controls, and protocols?

If you have cybersecurity staff, this falls under their domain. But if you don’t, you’re going to need help.

Here at Corsica Technologies, we handle all aspects of a cloud migration—from planning to implementation and ongoing support. And because we have cybersecurity experts on staff, we provide a strong security foundation every step of the way. Reach out to us today to help with your cloud migration and keep your data, systems, and users secure.

Ready to migrate securely?

Reach out to schedule a consultation with our cloud security specialists.

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The post Cloud Migrations: 6 Steps To Reducing Security Risks appeared first on Corsica Technologies.

A digital transformation consultant can help you develop your roadmap. But you may wonder what goes into the secret sauce. How does an expert actually build a roadmap?

In this blog, we’re giving away all the secrets we’ve learned from working with 1,000+ clients. Let’s dive in!

Digital transformation roadmap ingredients

What does a digital transformation roadmap look like?

Every transformation project is unique, which means every organization’s roadmap will be highly tailored.

Some organizations may also produce a new roadmap for every project, while others may maintain a single roadmap that encompasses everything they plan to accomplish. It all depends on the organization’s needs.

Broadly speaking, though, every roadmap will contain certain components, though they may go by different names. Here’s the essential structure of a digital transformation roadmap.

1. Audit current processes, systems, and pain points to understand what’s working, what isn’t, and what systems and teams are involved.
2. Envision the ideal future state. How should things work?
3. Design the solution. (This could be a single system or project, or “the solution” could be an iterative transformation journey with multiple projects that build on one another.)
4. Build, refine, and launch the solution. (Again, this could be a single project, or a series of implementations and refinements that move you toward your ideal state.)
5. Support the solution after launch.

Example roadmap

What does this look like in real life?

Our client, Honor Flight Network, needed to replace spreadsheets and paper-based processes with digital workflows. This was a significant transformation for the organization, as it would happen right at the core of their operations.

We worked closely with the team at Honor Flight Network to develop their digital transformation roadmap. At a high level, here’s what we came up with:

1. Audit Honor Flight Network’s current processes, data sources, and challenges to understand the requirements fully.
2. Envision the ideal state of data flow, processing, storage, and retrieval by users.
3. Design a custom database solution to satisfy the client’s unique requirements.  
4. Build, refine, and launch the custom database solution.
5. Support the solution after launch with iterative improvements and refinements as needed.

How did our roadmap work out? Check out the case study for the full picture. (Hint: Honor Flight Network is now far more efficient, and the team has fewer headaches.)

Roadmap development process

It’s one thing to look at the ingredients of a good roadmap—and then to look at an example.

But how do you develop your roadmap in the midst of your organization’s unique challenges, culture, and politics? How do you get from concepts to reality?

Again, every organization is unique—which is one of the reasons to engage a digital transformation consulting partner to translate these principles into your situation. But at a high level, here’s what a healthy roadmap development process looks like.

A) Define success in a measurable way

It’s not enough to say, “Here’s what success looks like.” Success needs a metric—something you can measure. That’s the only way to know if you’ve achieved your goal.

Every digital transformation roadmap will have its own unique success metrics. There could be one overall metric for the project, a metric for every individual stage, or metrics at every level of the roadmap. It all depends on how complex the project is—and how closely you want to track progress.

Here are some sample measures of success that we’ve used with our clients.

• Reduce data processing errors by X%.
• Onboard X% of customers to the new system within 90 days.
• Reduce cost in a specific operational process by X%.
• Grow profitability by X% in a specific business unit.

B) Get buy-in from stakeholders at ALL levels

Some sources will tell you to get the buy-in of leadership. That’s essential, but ultimately, it’s not enough. The people who are directly affected by digital transformation need to understand what’s going on—not only what will change, but what’s in it for them. And the earlier you win them over, the better.

What does it take to do this? Much of it depends on the challenges your team currently faces (and your organizational culture). But the principles apply to all digital transformation roadmaps. Give every stakeholder a voice in the project and start as early in the process as you can. Take feedback to heart and adjust as necessary—before you pass the point of no return.

This is essential, because if the roadmap doesn’t work for everyone, you may encounter challenges with adoption and realization of your vision.

C) Consider applicable regulation

If you work in a regulated industry, it’s essential to make sure you’ll be compliant with applicable regulation after your transformation initiative. To ensure compliance, it’s best to work with a digital transformation partner who’s familiar with your industry and can advise on regulatory concerns and how this impacts your digital transformation project.

D) Calculate ROI

A transformation roadmap needs a clear ROI projection. Things can change in the course of the project, but at the very least, you want to model your expected return on investment. After all, if the project isn’t cutting costs, increasing revenue, or both, why bother?

ROI calculations get pretty complex in digital transformation. This is one area where a digital transformation consultant can help, as they’ve seen the results of many projects over time.

E) Consider cybersecurity

Digital transformation can have an unexpected impact on your organization’s security posture. As you’re developing your roadmap, it’s essential to consider how your attack surface will change—and how you’ll go about mitigating any net-new risk.

Hint: This is one of the biggest reasons to work with a full-service digital transformation partner like Corsica Technologies. Our team is comprised of experts in IT, cybersecurity, B2B data integration, EDI, and digital transformation. We provide that holistic view that covers all your bases so you can reap the benefits of your digital transformation roadmap.

F) Consider data governance

Nearly every transformation project will bring changes to your data landscape. These will be positive changes if you’ve taken a strategic approach in developing your roadmap. However, digital transformation doesn’t remove the need for smart data governance policies. In fact, transformation initiatives often provide an opening to review data governance and improve it. This is an essential perspective to work into your roadmap.

Getting the digital transformation roadmap you need

Digital transformation is complex, but it doesn’t have to keep you up at night. The right roadmap will spell out exactly what you need to do and when. If you haven’t led many different transformation projects in your career, it’s helpful to engage a digital transformation partner who can bring significant experience to bear on your situation.

Here at Corsica Technologies, we’ve helped over 1,000 clients achieve noteworthy business outcomes through technology. Contact us today, and let’s start developing your digital transformation roadmap.

Ready to flesh out your roadmap?

Reach out to schedule a consultation with our digital transformation specialists.

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The post Digital Transformation Roadmap: 5 Secret Components appeared first on Corsica Technologies.

Whether you’re working with a digital transformation consultancy or going DIY, it’s essential to build a cohesive strategy for transformation. Without that intelligent planning, you can find yourself in a pickle as you pursue the benefits of new technologies and processes.

But how do you actually define your strategy?

Here are 8 essential questions to ask.

Key takeaways:

• It’s important to define your measure of success for digital transformation.
• Consider the impact of digital transformation on internal operations, and benchmark yourself against the competition.
• Consider the risks of transformation, have a contingency plan, and look for the least disruptive ways to improve.
• Start small and consider how AI could impact your transformation.

1. What does success look like?

You can’t build a strategy if you don’t know what you want out of digital transformation.

Once you define that goal, however big or small, you can start constructing a strategy.

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer here, because digital transformation covers so many types of initiatives. But here are some goals that our clients often set for their transformation projects.

• Become more efficient. Digital transformation empowers an organization to reduce costs and increase margins.
• Become more competitive. Customer expectations are a powerful driver for transformation—and a great reason to start refining your strategy.
• Reach new market segments. Want to swim upstream? Digital transformation can enable a broader strategic focus that covers the needs of new customer types.
• Reduce errors and waste. Manual processes create more mistakes than automated alternatives. Digital transformation empowers an organization to plug leaks in the quality and reliability of processes and data.

If you don’t know where to start, business intelligence consulting is a great first step. You can work with expert consultants to understand your business data, determine what matters most, and establish systems and processes to review your KPIs (key performance indicators) regularly and make data-driven decisions.

Defining success is the first step—but it’s not enough to build a real strategy. You also need to understand the impact of digital transformation on your organization.

2. How will this transformation affect specific processes and workflows in your organization?

Digital transformation never occurs in a vacuum. At the very least, it affects one specific process and one specific department.

But most transformation projects actually have a wider impact. This is why it’s important to take a strategic approach.

As you’re analyzing your transformation initiative, you’ll want to look at all processes and teams that will feel the ripple effects of change. In each case, ask yourself these questions:

• Will life be better or worse for this team after transformation?
• If worse, what additional work should we include in the project to cover their needs?

These are essential questions to ensure that your strategy works for the entire organization. And while it’s important to look inward, you should also look outward. Specifically, you should look at your competitors’ digital transformation strategies.

3. How does the competition handle the processes in question?

You can’t always find this information—especially if you’re looking at an internal process that has no public visibility.

But this information is gold if you can get it. After all, benchmarking yourself against the competition is a crucial step in building your digital transformation strategy. Benchmarking can help you answer essential questions like these.

• Are you chasing after a trend, sitting in the middle, or leading change within your industry? Whatever the answer, are you in the right place?
• How do customers feel about the process in question?
• Will transformation make you more competitive and better differentiated?
• Will transformation create new opportunities to grow your market?
• Will transformation help you achieve crucial regulatory compliance?

Benchmarking is a key component in defining your strategy, but it’s still not enough. You also want to think about potential risks of transformation—and the most intelligent way to transform.

4. What specific risks should you be aware of?

Digital transformation does come with risks, and your strategy should account for them. This is one of the biggest reasons to partner with an experienced consultancy like Corsica Technologies. Having worked on countless projects, we have a deep understanding of the risks—and how to mitigate them.

Here are some of the most common risks we see:

• No consensus among stakeholders
• Strategy that isn’t future-proofed
• Not accounting for cybersecurity
• Not accounting for user training and adoption

This list isn’t exhaustive. A consultancy can help you define the specific risks at your organization. Once you’ve uncovered those risks, you’ll want to ask another essential question.

5. What’s the least disruptive way to improve?

Gartner provides a helpful way to think about transformation. They offer two categories for this type of change:

• Digital optimization
• True digital transformation

As Gartner explains, “digital optimization” creates outcomes by “improving existing processes and customer experiences.” Digital transformation, on the other hand, does so by “reinventing how the organization serves its market through net-new products, services or business models.”

Gartner emphasizes that these two paths aren’t an either/or choice. Your strategy can take both approaches at the same time. But the key is to find the simplest way to improve.

This is a smart strategy for digital transformation, as there’s one factor that really has to be considered: the people impacted by transformation.

6. How will your people react to transformation?

Ultimately, every organization is made up of people, not IT systems. Your mix of people as well as your traditions all combine to create your organization’s unique culture. That culture will have a huge impact on what transformation looks like at your company.

Some teams embrace change, while others struggle with it. Because digital transformation affects people directly, your strategy should seek to bring everyone into the fold. If some people are doubting whether transformation is necessary, or whether it will succeed, you actually want to bring them in from the start. They may help uncover potential issues that you didn’t know about, so it’s critical to listen to their concerns. These people need a seat at the table to help influence the project—and to buy in after their concerns have been accounted for.

There’s one essential consideration for handling cultural change carefully. It’s the size of the project—which brings us to our last question.

7. How can you start small?

Some digital transformation consultancies may try to sell you the biggest transformation they can. But that’s rarely in your best interests.

In fact, it’s better to start small and take an iterative approach.

Why?

Because the bigger the project, the more complex it is. And the more complex it is, the more likely it is to fail—especially if you haven’t built out a cohesive transformation strategy.

We often advise clients to start small. The best transformations happen in incremental steps, with each step laying the foundation for the next step. This strategy gives you time to adapt and work out any kinks. It’s a smart way to approach transformation, and it’s what we recommend here at Corsica Technologies.

8. How can you leverage AI in your strategy?

AI tools are evolving rapidly, offering many ways to improve operational efficiency and strategic insight. Whether you’re beginning to explore AI or looking to refine your approach, a solid AI strategy is a key part of digital transformation.

What could AI look like for your business? Where can you leverage AI for growth and efficiency?

There are as many answers as there are businesses. Start exploring your options here: AI Strategy for Business.

Ready to define your strategy?

Reach out to schedule a consultation with our digital transformation specialists.

Schedule Now

The post Digital Transformation Strategy: 8 Key Questions To Ask appeared first on Corsica Technologies.

With cybersecurity threats evolving rapidly, local governments are taking steps to protect sensitive but unclassified information that they must share with their suppliers. This is a critical undertaking, as hackers can use sensitive information to inform their strategies—plus they can execute supply chain attacks by gaining access to one system, then moving upstream to compromise a more sensitive system.

The Government of Canada recognizes how these risks apply to their relationships with suppliers, and they’ve taken steps to develop a cybersecurity standard for defense contractors. This standard, known as the Canadian Program for Cyber Security Certification (CPCSC), is still being developed—but it’s not too early for suppliers to start learning what it will mean for them.

Here’s what we know today about the CPCSC.

Key takeaways:

• The CPCSC will go into effect sometime in the winter of 2025.
• There are three levels of CPCSC compliance, depending on the sensitivity of the information handled.
• You can prepare now by familiarizing your organization with NIST 800-171 and 800-172.

What is the CPCSC?

The CPCSC is a new cybersecurity standard that will apply to suppliers who bid on defense contracts for the Government of Canada. Naturally, it will also apply to organizations that win the contracts and work on them.

Why comply with the CPCSC?

Simply put, if you want to bid on Canadian defense contracts, you’ll need to comply with the CPCSC. That’s a great reason to pursue compliance.

More broadly speaking, adhering to the CPCSC will also make your organization more secure. This means the benefits of compliance go far beyond Canadian defense contracts for organizations that work with multiple customers or other national governments. Simply put, the CPCSC will reduce the attack surface and strengthen the security posture of any organization that strives to comply with it.

When does the CPCSC go into effect?

The Government of Canada’s documentation indicates that the CPCSC will go into effect sometime during the winter of 2025. The Government is not providing a specific date at this point, but we’re guessing that information will come out later this year or early next year.

As of this writing, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has conducted a request for information (RFI) process that closed on June 28, 2024. Companies that participated in the RFI process had the opportunity to “significantly influence the development and implementation of the program.”

While it’s too late to participate in the RFI process, the fact that PSPC engaged in it is great news for defense contractors. It means that suppliers had a seat at the table to help shape policy in a way that keeps both their organizations and the Government secure.

Key features of the CPCSC

While the CPCSC is still being created, the Government has released quite a bit of information about their intentions. Here’s what we know so far.  

• The CPCSC will create a new Canadian cybersecurity standard that’s based on the NIST 800-171 and 800-172 standards developed in the US. Basing the CPCSC on these NIST standards will keep Canadian requirements closely aligned with US requirements. This is good news as the two countries and their businesses continue to pursue mutually advantageous relationships.
• The CPCSC will dictate specific cybersecurity controls required for companies that wish to engage in federal contracting with the Government of Canada.
• The CPCSC will provide structure and standards for the secure handling of Controlled Unclassified Information by non-governmental organizations.
• The CPCSC will establish a risk assessment process to allow contracted projects to move forward with the appropriate balance of maximum security and maximum efficiency.
• The CPCSC will establish contractual clauses that will be required in all defense-related RFPs.
• The CPCSC will establish accreditation processes for third-party assessors who will audit organizations to determine their level of compliance with the standard.

CPCSC certification levels

The CPCSC won’t require all organizations to meet the same certification levels. Rather, the standard will allow for the fact that different contractors handle information with different levels of sensitivity. There will be 3 levels of certification.

• Level 1: Requires an annual cybersecurity self-assessment, which the organization can conduct internally.
• Level 2: Requires a cybersecurity assessment conducted by an accredited certification body—basically a cybersecurity audit. 
• Level 3: Requires a cybersecurity assessment conducted directly by the Department of National Defence rather than by a third-party assessor.

How can you prepare now?

While the CPCSC hasn’t been finalized, that doesn’t mean you have to wait to start preparing. Forward-thinking companies can begin evaluating themselves today.

The key is to look at NIST 800-171 and 800-172. These two US standards will form the basis for the CPCSC, which means they can help organizations develop an early picture of how they may stand in relation to the CPCSC.

What does this look like specifically?

An expert cybersecurity partner can help you conduct a compliance audit for NIST 800-171 and/or 800-172. This process will provide specific findings that need to be addressed to align with NIST standards. While it’s not the same thing as a CPCSC assessment, it’s a great way to uncover any of the larger initiatives that may be required to comply with the CPCSC—plus you can increase your security today, before the CPCSC is finalized.

Here at Corsica Technologies, we’re ready to help you take those preliminary steps. Get in touch with us today to chart your path forward.

Want to start your journey toward CPCSC compliance?

Reach out to schedule a consultation with our cybersecurity specialists.

Schedule Now

The post CPCSC For Canadian Defense Contractors: What We Know Today appeared first on Corsica Technologies.