On November 20, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center posted a request for information (RFI) for Network Management. Responses are due by 3:00 p.m. Eastern on January 4.
The U.S. Army C5ISR Center is surveying the market to locate/identify interested Business Concerns. The U.S. Army C5ISR Center, Engineering & Systems Integration (ESI) Directorate is seeking information from companies on how they can assist in running and managing large, complex networks for effective defensive cybersecurity operations (DCO). Specifically, the center is interested in understanding industry partners’ vision for the roles and responsibilities of the Network Operations Center (NOC) and Security Operations Center (SOC), as well as the role of a managed service provider (MSP) in the process of providing DCO. This approach aims to enhance the center’s ability to identify, evaluate, and mitigate cybersecurity threats as they arise at the speed of cyber.
Specialized network management is critical to DCO because it ensures that complex and expansive networks are accurately monitored and maintained. By understanding the details of network activities, organizations can proactively identify vulnerabilities and respond to potential threats more efficiently. This specialization allows for the implementation of advanced security measures, continuous monitoring, and rapid incident response, which are essential in protecting sensitive data and maintaining the integrity of the network.
The roles and responsibilities of NOC, SOC and MSP are distinct yet complementary. The NOC focuses on ensuring the optimal performance and availability of the network, managing infrastructure, troubleshooting issues, and minimizing downtime. In contrast, the SOC is dedicated to protecting the organization from cybersecurity threats by monitoring for security incidents, responding to threats, analyzing vulnerabilities, and implementing security measures. Nowadays, it seems like many organizations are increasingly integrating their NOC and SOC to manage large networks and utilize automated SOAR capabilities in response to cyber threats.
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is designed to improve security within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). It is a set of standards that companies must follow to protect sensitive information from cyber threats. All companies are assessed by third parties to ensure they meet these standards. Noticed that DoD now requires an organization to have at least a level 3 certification before it can receive Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in any domain.
Interested parties with the capability to manage large, complex networks, particularly in defining the roles between a Network Operations Center (NOC) and a Security Operations Center (SOC), as well as responding to cyber-attacks in near real-time, should submit a whitepaper not exceeding 15 pages.
Review the US Army C5ISR Center network management RFI.
Source: SAM
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