Partial CUI Compliance
1 NIST 800-171 gaps detected. Not FedRAMP authorized. Popular integrated backup + cybersecurity solution. Used by many small contractors. Document risk acceptance.
Acronis Cyber Protect
by Acronis
FedRAMP Status
Not FedRAMP Authorized
Impact Level
N/A
Category
Backup & Recovery
Overview
Acronis Cyber Protect combines backup, disaster recovery, and anti-malware in a single platform. Popular with small contractors for its simplicity and affordability. Not FedRAMP authorized — CUI backups should use a FedRAMP authorized solution.
CUI Risk Assessment
Not FedRAMP authorized. Popular integrated backup + cybersecurity solution. Used by many small contractors. Document risk acceptance.
Using Acronis Cyber Protect in a Defense Contractor Environment
Acronis Cyber Protect presents significant compliance challenges for defense contractors handling CUI due to its lack of FedRAMP authorization. In DoD environments, this platform typically processes technical specifications, engineering drawings, financial performance data, and supply chain information requiring CMMC Level 2 protection. Within authorization boundaries, Acronis operates as a critical system component touching multiple enclaves - backup repositories, endpoint agents, and management consoles all process CUI directly. The integrated anti-malware and backup functionality creates extensive data flows that DCMA assessors scrutinize heavily during CMMC assessments. Compensating controls must include encrypted storage verification, access logging enhancement, and documented risk acceptance through POA&M entries. DIBCAC assessors consistently flag Acronis deployments during NIST 800-171 reviews, particularly around media protection (MP) and system communications protection (SC) controls. The tool's cloud connectivity features often violate organizational requirements for air-gapped CUI processing. Recent DCMA compliance reviews have specifically cited Acronis implementations where contractors failed to implement proper encryption key management and audit logging for CUI backup operations. Small contractors gravitate toward Acronis for cost reasons, but this creates inherited compliance debt requiring immediate remediation through either extensive compensating controls or migration to FedRAMP-authorized alternatives.
Deployment & Architecture
Deployment Model: Hybrid (cloud + on-prem)
Acronis Cyber Protect lacks FedRAMP authorization. Using this tool for CUI processing violates DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements. Defense contractors must evaluate FedRAMP-authorized alternatives or implement and document compensating controls in their POA&M.
Migration Guidance
Defense contractors must migrate away from Acronis Cyber Protect within 90-120 days to achieve CMMC Level 2 compliance. Phase 1 (weeks 1-4) requires immediate risk assessment documentation and POA&M creation while identifying FedRAMP-authorized alternatives like AWS Backup, Druva, or Carbonite Safe. Phase 2 (weeks 5-8) involves procurement of replacement solutions and parallel deployment testing in isolated environments. Critical consideration: CUI data extraction from Acronis repositories requires encrypted transfer protocols and chain-of-custody documentation per DFARS 252.204-7012. Phase 3 (weeks 9-12) executes full data migration with validation testing and user training on new backup procedures. Phase 4 (weeks 13-16) completes Acronis decommissioning and SSP updates reflecting new authorization boundary. User training requires 8-16 hours depending on technical complexity of replacement solution. Compliance documentation updates include SSP Section 10 (authorization boundary), Section 13 (security controls), and Attachment 10 (network diagrams). Recommended alternatives: Druva inSync for endpoints ($15-25/user/month), AWS Backup for infrastructure ($0.05/GB/month), or Carbonite Safe for hybrid deployments ($50-72/user/month). Total migration costs typically range $25,000-75,000 for 100-500 user organizations including licensing, professional services, and compliance documentation updates.
Migration Checklist
- 1ISSO must document Acronis Cyber Protect as a high-risk finding in the organizational POA&M within 30 days, citing NIST 800-171 control 3.13.8 violations.
- 2Contracts officer should review all active DoD contracts to identify CUI data protection requirements and notify customers of non-compliant backup infrastructure.
- 3System administrator must immediately implement network segmentation to isolate Acronis cloud communications from CUI processing systems.
- 4ISSO shall update the System Security Plan Section 10 to document Acronis as a temporary system component with planned removal date.
- 5Procurement team must initiate acquisition of FedRAMP-authorized backup solution within 45 days, evaluating Druva, AWS Backup, or Carbonite Safe alternatives.
- 6Data custodian must catalog all CUI data currently stored in Acronis repositories and create encrypted export procedures compliant with DFARS 252.204-7012.
- 7System administrator should establish parallel backup infrastructure using approved solution while maintaining Acronis for non-CUI data during transition.
- 8ISSO must conduct security control assessment of replacement solution and update SSP Section 13 with new control implementation statements.
- 9Training coordinator shall develop user training program for new backup procedures, requiring completion before Acronis decommissioning.
- 10System administrator must complete secure wipe of all Acronis storage media per NIST 800-88 guidelines and document destruction for compliance records.
Compliance Cross-References
Acronis Cyber Protect's non-FedRAMP status creates cascading compliance violations across multiple NIST 800-171 control families. Primary violations occur in System Communications Protection (SC.3.177) due to uncontrolled cloud data transmission, and Media Protection (MP.3.123) for inadequate CUI backup encryption. The tool triggers DFARS 252.204-7012 clause requirements for adequate security since CUI backup operations constitute covered contractor information systems. Under CMMC Level 2 assessment domains, Acronis failures impact Access Control (AC), System and Communications Protection (SC), and Media Protection (MP) practices, creating Level 2 non-compliance findings. The backup functionality intersects with NIST 800-171 controls 3.13.8 (cryptographic mechanisms), 3.8.7 (limit use of portable storage), and 3.13.11 (cryptographic key management). FedRAMP requirements become relevant through the cloud connectivity features that transmit CUI to non-authorized cloud environments. This creates a compliance chain where Acronis usage prevents CMMC Level 2 certification, violates DFARS cybersecurity requirements, and necessitates contract notification under FAR 52.204-21 reporting obligations.
NIST 800-171 Violations
Using Acronis Cyber Protect for CUI without FedRAMP authorization may violate these NIST 800-171 controls:
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FedRAMP Compliant Alternatives
Related Compliance Assessments
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acronis sufficient for CMMC backup requirements?
Acronis provides functional backup and recovery but is not FedRAMP authorized. If your backups contain CUI, document a risk acceptance and consider migrating to Veeam Government or Commvault Government.
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