CUI Compliant
0 NIST 800-171 gaps detected. FedRAMP authorized at Moderate impact level. Approved for CUI handling in DoD environments.
Tenable Government
by Tenable
FedRAMP Status
FedRAMP Authorized
Impact Level
Moderate
Category
Cybersecurity
Authorized: February 17, 2021 | Sponsor: Department of Homeland Security
Overview
Tenable Government provides FedRAMP Moderate authorized vulnerability management and compliance scanning. It helps defense contractors identify and remediate security vulnerabilities across their CUI infrastructure.
CUI Risk Assessment
FedRAMP authorized at Moderate impact level. Approved for CUI handling in DoD environments.
Using Tenable Government in a Defense Contractor Environment
Tenable Government is specifically engineered for defense contractor environments handling CUI categories including technical data packages (TDP), controlled technical information (CTI), financial information, and personally identifiable information (PII) under DoD contracts. Within a CMMC Level 2 authorization boundary, Tenable Government operates as the primary vulnerability assessment and continuous monitoring solution, scanning both network infrastructure and endpoint systems processing CUI. The tool requires compensating controls including network segmentation to prevent cross-tenant data exposure, encrypted communications channels for scan result transmission, and role-based access controls aligned with need-to-know principles. DCMA and DIBCAC assessors specifically evaluate Tenable Government's configuration against NIST 800-171 requirements for vulnerability scanning (RA-5), system monitoring (SI-4), and security assessment planning (CA-2). Recent DCMA compliance reviews have flagged improper Tenable Government configurations where contractors failed to properly segment scanning networks or maintain audit logs of vulnerability scan results. The tool's FedRAMP Moderate authorization provides the necessary compliance foundation, but proper implementation within the contractor's authorization boundary requires careful attention to data flow documentation and integration with existing SIEM solutions. Assessors verify that Tenable Government scans cover all CUI processing systems and that remediation workflows properly track vulnerability closure timelines required under DFARS 252.204-7012.
Deployment & Architecture
Deployment Model: Government Cloud (FedRAMP boundary)
Tenable Government operates within a FedRAMP-authorized boundary. CUI can be processed within the authorization scope, but contractors must verify their specific use case falls within the system's security boundary as documented in the SSP.
Implementation Guide
Defense contractors implementing Tenable Government for CUI environments should plan a 12-16 week deployment timeline across four phases: planning (3 weeks), infrastructure preparation (4 weeks), deployment and configuration (6 weeks), and validation (3 weeks). During planning, contractors must update their System Security Plan (SSP) to include Tenable Government within the authorization boundary and document data flows between scanning infrastructure and CUI systems. Infrastructure preparation involves network segmentation configuration, establishing dedicated VLAN segments for vulnerability scanning traffic, and configuring encrypted communication channels. Deployment phase includes installing Tenable Government agents on CUI systems, configuring scan policies aligned with NIST 800-171 requirements, and integrating with existing SIEM solutions for centralized log management. Validation requires conducting test scans, verifying proper data handling procedures, and updating POA&M entries for any identified configuration gaps. User training focuses on scan result interpretation, remediation workflow processes, and proper handling of vulnerability data classified as CUI. Cost estimates range from $150,000-$300,000 including licensing, professional services, infrastructure modifications, and staff training. Alternative FedRAMP authorized solutions include Rapid7 InsightVM Government Cloud or Qualys Government Platform if organization-specific requirements necessitate different vulnerability management capabilities.
Configuration Checklist
- 1ISSO must update the System Security Plan to include Tenable Government within the authorization boundary and document all data flows per NIST 800-171 CA-2 requirements.
- 2Network administrator must configure dedicated VLAN segments for vulnerability scanning traffic to ensure proper network segmentation per SC-7 controls.
- 3System administrator must install and configure Tenable Government agents on all CUI processing systems following vendor hardening guidelines.
- 4ISSO must establish role-based access controls within Tenable Government aligned with organizational need-to-know requirements per AC-2 and AC-3 controls.
- 5Security engineer must configure encrypted communication channels between Tenable Government and all scanned systems per SC-8 requirements.
- 6ISSO must integrate Tenable Government with existing SIEM solution for centralized audit log collection per AU-3 and AU-6 requirements.
- 7System administrator must configure automated vulnerability scan schedules to meet continuous monitoring requirements under SI-4 controls.
- 8ISSO must document vulnerability remediation workflows and timelines in accordance with DFARS 252.204-7012 incident response requirements.
- 9Security engineer must conduct validation testing of all scan configurations and document results in POA&M entries per CA-2 requirements.
- 10Training coordinator must complete user training on CUI data handling procedures specific to vulnerability scan results and remediation processes.
Compliance Cross-References
Tenable Government's FedRAMP Moderate authorization directly supports NIST 800-171 control families including Risk Assessment (RA-5 vulnerability scanning), System and Information Integrity (SI-4 continuous monitoring, SI-2 flaw remediation), and Assessment, Authorization, and Monitoring (CA-2 security assessments). The tool's deployment triggers DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements for adequate security and incident response capabilities, as vulnerability management directly impacts safeguarding CUI. Under CMMC Level 2 assessments, Tenable Government affects multiple domains including Asset Management (AM), Configuration Management (CM), and System and Information Integrity (SI). Proper implementation supports RA.L2-3.11.1 (periodic vulnerability scans) and RA.L2-3.11.2 (vulnerability remediation). The FedRAMP authorization boundary ensures compliance with SC-7 (boundary protection) and SC-8 (transmission confidentiality) by providing government-approved cloud infrastructure. Non-compliance or improper configuration creates cascading findings across RA, SI, and CA control families, potentially resulting in CMMC assessment failures and contract performance impacts under DFARS 252.204-7021 CMMC requirements.
Other FedRAMP Authorized Cybersecurity Tools
Related Compliance Assessments
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tenable Government FedRAMP authorized?
Yes. Tenable Government holds FedRAMP Moderate authorization for vulnerability management and compliance scanning.
Can I use Tenable Government to scan CUI systems?
Yes. Tenable Government is authorized to scan and assess the security posture of systems handling CUI.
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