Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 solution enables secure, compliant business-to-business collaboration that meets the stringent cybersecurity standards and regulatory requirements placed on defense contractors. Delivered as a managed service in a cloud-based enclave, it specifically addresses the needs of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) by streamlining compliance efforts and enhancing cybersecurity defenses in a trusted Microsoft Teams environment.
Introduction
In the highly regulated landscape of defense contracting, achieving and maintaining stringent cybersecurity standards represents not just an operational requirement but a strategic business imperative. The Defense Industrial Base (DIB) faces an urgent challenge: safeguarding sensitive information against escalating cyber threats while ensuring compliance with evolving contractual clauses and regulations, such as the:
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-171 (NIST SP 800-171)
- Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
- Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
As part of an effort to protect national security, the Department of Defense (DoD) is implementing CMMC to establish and enforce cybersecurity practices verifiable by third parties to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Non-compliance not only jeopardizes sensitive information and intellectual property but also can lead to the loss of DoD contracts.
Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 emerges as a pivotal solution, tailor-made to address these challenges head-on by offering a secure, compliant, business-to-business collaborative environment specifically designed for the unique needs of the DIB.
Solution Overview
Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 delivers a comprehensive, fully managed Software as a Service (SaaS) solution operating in a Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud (GCC) High environment that combines the familiar Microsoft Teams experience with Exostar’s identity and access management functionality. Exostar’s solution allows DIB companies to reduce the time and resource burden of CMMC compliance by delivering a separate domain for the storage and sharing of CUI, as stated in NIST SP 800-171 guidance:
“If nonfederal organizations designate specific system components for the processing, storage, or transmission of CUI, those organizations may limit the scope of the security requirements by isolating the designated system components in a separate CUI security domain.”
This solution enhances security and facilitates compliance by providing a dedicated enclave for CUI and other sensitive information.
- Defense-Specific Design: Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 comes crafted with the requirements of the DIB in mind, ensuring compatibility and compliance with sector-specific regulations.
- Comprehensive Compliance Coverage: The solution accounts for 85 of the 110 controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, offering an immediate and significant leap toward full compliance. It also features a comprehensive audit reporting tool that documents compliance and incidents, supporting the body of evidence required for CMMC third-party assessment.
- Enhanced Security and Collaboration: Beyond compliance, it provides a secure, efficient environment for collaboration, leveraging the power of Microsoft Teams enhanced with additional layers of security to ensure sensitive information remains protected across internal and external communication channels.
Benefits
- Affordable, Scalable Subscription: This cost-effective subscription service simply scales to meet storage and user requirements to support evolving business needs and growth without straining resources or budget.
- Compliance and Competitive Edge: With the ability to collaborate in a secure, compliant enclave, this solution strengthens trust with DIB partners, providing a competitive advantage in securing defense contracts and subcontracts.
- Faster Market Access: Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 quickly boosts assessment score for NIST SP 800-172 Rev. 2 and CMMC, reducing compliance time and speeding up market readiness.
Implementation and Support
- Quick and Efficient Deployment: Offers rapid implementation and activation, allowing organizations to transition smoothly to a secure, compliant managed collaboration solution.
- Dedicated Support and Training: Includes extensive support, such as training materials, customer service, and technical assistance, facilitating a seamless adoption experience and ongoing operational efficiency.
- Continuous Compliance and Security Updates: Delivers regular solution updates and guidance that account for evolving regulatory and cybersecurity landscapes, supporting long-term compliance and protection.
Pricing and Plans
| Features | Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 for SMBs | Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 for Enterprise |
| Audience | DIB small- and medium-sized businesses | DIB enterprises |
| Compliance Support | DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, ITAR/EAR | DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, ITAR/EAR |
| NIST SP 800-171 Controls Supported | 85 out of 110 | 85 out of 110 |
| NIST SP 800-53 Support | Yes | Yes |
| Security Environment | Microsoft Azure GCC High, FedRAMP Moderate Equivalent | Microsoft Azure GCC High, FedRAMP Moderate Equivalent |
| Tenant Type | Shared with private enclave | Dedicated |
| Identity and Access Management | Include + access to Exostar Community of pre-vetted users | SMB version features + Advanced Identity Validation |
| Collaboration Features | Secure Microsoft Teams collaboration, document sharing, browser-based document editing, email directly to the environment (Compliant File Drop) | SMB version features + a dedicated, standalone tenant |
| Storage Capacity | 1 GB (expandable) | 1 TB (expandable) |
| User Support | Initial training, 24/7 customer support and technical assistance | Initial training, 24/7 customer support and technical assistance |
| User Capacity | Up to 75 | 75+ |
| Pricing Model | Subscription-based, $50/user/month | Subscription-based, custom pricing |
Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 offers flexible, subscription-based pricing models tailored to the needs of small- and medium-sized businesses and enterprise entities within the DIB.
Exostar’s CMMC Ready Suite
Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 is a key component of Exostar’s CMMC Ready Suite, a comprehensive collection of solutions crafted to streamline the compliance journey for businesses within the defense industry. This suite addresses the intricate challenges of DFARS compliance and the upcoming CMMC accreditation requirement, providing a one-stop solution to implement NIST SP 800-171 controls, create and manage policies effectively, complete a compliance self-assessment and documentation, and calculate and report the assessment score to the DoD’s Supplier Performance Risk System.
This suite simplifies the path to compliance and positions businesses for success in the competitive landscape of defense contracting, ensuring they’re well-prepared to meet current and future regulatory and contractual demands.
Conclusion
By partnering with Exostar, you choose a solution that meets today’s compliance and security challenges and positions you to address tomorrow’s uncertainties. Embrace the future with confidence, backed by the unmatched support and innovation of Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365. Contact us today to explore how our solution can streamline your compliance journey, enhance security, and empower internal and external collaboration. Schedule a demo, sign up for a trial, or speak with our experts to get started.
Why Exostar? For over 25 years, Exostar has been a leader in secure enterprise collaboration, serving diverse industries such as aerospace and defense, life sciences, healthcare, and financial services. By understanding these sectors’ unique compliance and security demands, we provide innovative solutions that enable secure information management for over 200,000 organizations across 175 countries, including many of the largest global enterprises. The Exostar Platform enhances supply chain transparency and boosts operational efficiency, handling over $120B in transactions annually. Join Exostar’s trusted community today to accelerate your business velocity.