The Big Blog

In our latest Bourbon & Bytes  episode, Mackenzie Eaglen laid out a reality that too few people in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) are willing to confront: China’s real military investment isn’t just large—it likely eclipses U.S. spending, potentially reaching $1 trillion annually. And a disturbing portion of that advantage comes not from innovation… …but from us . Specifically: from stolen U.S. data, U.S. designs, U.S. R&D, and U.S. intellectual property siphoned out of

In the defense and national-security world, few compliance topics create more confusion—or more unintentional violations—than Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Both involve sensitive information. Both impose strict requirements. Both can burn your organization to the ground if mishandled.

If your organization handles sensitive information on behalf of a federal agency—especially the Department of Defense (DoD)—you’ve likely heard the term "Controlled Unclassified Information," or CUI. The CUI designation is part of a government-wide initiative to standardize how sensitive but unclassified data is handled and protected. While CUI is often treated as a single category, it actually comes in two forms: CUI Basic  and CUI Specified . Knowing the difference between

Understanding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)  refers to sensitive data created or handled by, or on behalf of, the U.S. government that requires protection from unauthorized access. Although CUI isn’t classified as secret or top secret, it still demands strict safeguards due to its relevance to national security and federal operations Examples include: Technical specifications and engineering designs Intellectual property t

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 requires organizations to implement robust measures to control the flow of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Practice AC.L2-3.1.3, entitle Control CUI Flow, is crucial for achieving compliance with the framework as well as actually achieving the goal of protecting sensitive data to protect the warfighter. Here are key strategies to effectively control CUI flow in accordance with CMMC Level 2 compliance: 1. The

In the realm of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance, the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is paramount. CUI encompasses sensitive but unclassified data that req asures in place, incidents of CUI spillage can occur, posing significant risks to organizations operating within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).  CUI spillage refers to the accidental or unauthorized release of CUI data outside of the designated controlled environment

Locating Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within a CMMC environment is a critical step for organizations seeking compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework. CUI is sensitive but unclassified information that requires protection from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Failure to properly identify and secure CUI can result in significant risks, including potential data breaches and non-compliance penalties.  THE IMPORTANCE