Bridging the Gap Between IT and Compliance Teams During Modernization
Modernization projects succeed when IT and compliance teams work together. Unfortunately, in many organizations, these teams operate in silos, resulting in misaligned priorities, unmet requirements, and costly rework. Bridging the gap between technical implementation and regulatory oversight is critical for delivering upgrades that are both functional and compliant. Challenge 1: Different Priorities When these priorities […]
How Legacy Systems Put Your Compliance at Risk
Keeping legacy systems in place may seem like a cost-saving measure, but in regulated industries, such as defense contracting, outdated technology can pose a direct threat to compliance. Many organizations don’t realize just how much risk these old systems introduce until it’s too late. Risk 1: Unsupported Software and Security Gaps When vendors stop supporting […]
The Most Common Bottlenecks in Tech Modernization and How to Avoid Them
Modernization projects often start with high energy, then slow to a crawl. Sometimes it’s due to technical challenges, but more often it’s caused by avoidable bottlenecks in planning, coordination, and execution. By understanding these roadblocks in advance, you can keep your project moving on schedule and within budget. Bottleneck 1: Unclear Scope Without a clearly […]
How to Get Leadership Buy-In for Your Modernization Project
Even the most well-planned tech modernization initiative can stall if leadership isn’t entirely behind it. Budget approvals, resource allocation, and organizational momentum all depend on executive buy-in, and earning that buy-in takes more than a slide deck of technical details. Step 1: Speak in Business Outcomes, Not Technical Specs Executives don’t sign off on modernization […]
How Long Does a Full Tech Modernization Usually Take?
When leaders consider modernizing their systems, one of the first questions they ask is, “How long will this take?” The answer isn’t the same for everyone. But there are predictable factors that determine the timeline. Understanding these variables can help you set realistic expectations, manage budgets, and avoid project fatigue. Step 1: Define the Scope […]
Can Our IT Team Handle Compliance Alone? Here’s What Most Teams Miss
When compliance requirements start showing up in contracts, whether it’s CMMC, NIST 800-171, HIPAA, or ISO 27001, it’s common for leadership to turn to the internal IT team and ask: “Can you handle this?” Sometimes the answer is yes. But more often, it’s yes… sort of. Followed by months of confusion, false starts, and missed […]
Do We Need a Third-Party Cybersecurity Partner?
If you’re like most growing companies, especially in the defense or tech sectors, you’ve probably asked this question at some point: “Do we need to bring in a third-party cybersecurity partner? Or can we handle this ourselves?” It’s a fair question. After all, cybersecurity isn’t new. You likely already have IT support, some security tools, […]
How Black Rock Streamlines Compliance for Emerging Defense Contractors
Winning a defense contract is a big achievement. However, keeping it, or going after more, means dealing with the complex world of federal cybersecurity compliance. For emerging contractors, the process can feel overwhelming. You’re trying to grow your business, meet tight deadlines, and now you’re expected to implement frameworks like NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, and […]
Understanding the ATO (Authority to Operate) Process from Start to Finish
If you want to deploy a system in a federal environment or deliver software to a U.S. government agency, you need more than technical features or compliance paperwork. You need an Authority to Operate (ATO). Getting an ATO is one of the most critical and often misunderstood parts of working with the federal government. It’s […]
The Best Framework for Securing Your DoD Contract: CMMC vs. NIST vs. ISO
If you’re pursuing or maintaining a Department of Defense (DoD) contract, one thing is clear: cybersecurity compliance is no longer optional. But with multiple frameworks in play—CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, and ISO 27001—it’s easy to get confused. Which one do you need? What are the differences? And is one better than the others? This guide […]