CyberArk
by CyberArk
Covered
10
controls
Partial
2
controls
Gaps
4
controls
Overview
CyberArk by CyberArk is an identity & access management solution that covers 10 NIST 800-171 controls (9% total coverage). It addresses key requirements in the identity & access management domain for defense contractors pursuing CMMC compliance.
Controls Covered (10)
Implementation Notes
Deploy CyberArk with FIPS-validated configurations. Integrate with your SIEM for centralized audit logging. Review partial controls quarterly to identify supplementary tooling needs.
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Implementation Guidance for CyberArk
To maximize CyberArk's NIST 800-171 compliance value, configure privileged access management (PAM) policies for AC-2 (Account Management) by implementing automated account provisioning/deprovisioning workflows with approval gates and regular access reviews. For AC-3 (Access Enforcement), establish granular role-based access controls with just-in-time privileged access and session recording for all administrative activities. Configure AC-6 (Least Privilege) through CyberArk's Privileged Session Manager to enforce time-limited elevation and dual-person authorization for critical systems. For IA-2 (Identification and Authentication), integrate multi-factor authentication with hardware tokens and certificate-based authentication for privileged accounts. Generate assessment evidence through CyberArk's native reporting for user access matrices, privileged session logs, password rotation schedules, and access review compliance. Integration requires SIEM connectivity (Splunk/QRadar) for centralized logging, Active Directory synchronization for identity federation, and API integration with ITSM tools for workflow automation. Common misconfigurations include: failing to rotate shared service account passwords automatically (causes AC-2 findings), not enabling session recording for all privileged access (IA-2 violations), allowing permanent privileged access without justification (AC-6 gaps), and insufficient logging granularity for audit trails (AU-12 deficiencies). Ensure CyberArk vault encryption meets FIPS 140-2 Level 2 requirements and implement network segmentation for vault infrastructure.
Gap Analysis & Compensating Controls
CyberArk's 4 uncovered controls primarily span System and Communications Protection (SC) and Audit and Accountability (AU) families, representing significant gaps for CMMC Level 2 compliance. The largest gap is SC-7 (Boundary Protection), requiring dedicated firewall/NGFW solutions like Palo Alto or Fortinet to implement network segmentation and intrusion prevention. SC-8 (Transmission Confidentiality) needs VPN or encrypted communication tools beyond CyberArk's scope. AU-6 (Audit Review) requires SIEM platforms like Splunk or IBM QRadar for log correlation and automated anomaly detection that CyberArk cannot provide independently. AU-12 (Audit Generation) gaps require endpoint detection tools like CrowdStrike or SentinelOne for comprehensive system activity logging. Document these gaps in your System Security Plan (SSP) under 'Compensating Controls' sections, referencing specific tools planned for implementation. Create POA&M entries with milestone dates: Priority 1 (highest CMMC weight) - SC-7 boundary protection implementation within 90 days; Priority 2 - SIEM deployment for AU-6/AU-12 within 120 days; Priority 3 - encrypted communications for SC-8 within 180 days. These gaps represent approximately 40% of required CMMC assessment objectives, making additional tool selection critical for certification success.
Compliance Cost Estimate
CyberArk Enterprise licensing ranges $150-$300 per privileged user annually, with typical defense contractor implementations requiring 50-200 privileged accounts ($7,500-$60,000/year). Implementation costs include professional services ($25,000-$75,000), infrastructure setup ($10,000-$25,000), and staff training ($5,000-$15,000). Ongoing maintenance averages $20,000-$40,000 annually for monitoring, updates, and compliance reporting. Compared to competitors like BeyondTrust ($100-$250/user) or Thycotic ($80-$200/user), CyberArk provides superior NIST 800-171 coverage justifying premium pricing. Total three-year cost of ownership typically ranges $125,000-$275,000 for mid-size contractors, delivering strong ROI through reduced audit findings and streamlined compliance workflows versus manual privileged access management approaches.
Compliance Cross-References
CyberArk directly satisfies DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements for controlled access to covered defense information through privileged account management and audit trails. For CMMC Level 2, CyberArk addresses Access Control (AC) domain practices AC.L2-3.1.1 (authorized access enforcement), AC.L2-3.1.2 (transaction/function controls), and Identification and Authentication (IA) practices IA.L2-3.5.1 (user identification) and IA.L2-3.5.2 (device authentication). FedRAMP Moderate baseline controls AC-2, AC-3, AC-6, and IA-2 are directly satisfied through CyberArk's privileged access workflows and session management. However, CyberArk alone cannot satisfy CMMC assessment objectives for System and Communications Protection (SC.L2-3.13.1 boundary protection) or complete Audit and Accountability requirements (AU.L2-3.3.1 through AU.L2-3.3.9), requiring supplementary tools. Defense contractors should document CyberArk as primary control implementation for privileged access management while identifying complementary solutions for network security and comprehensive audit logging to achieve full CMMC Level 2 certification readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NIST 800-171 controls does CyberArk cover?
CyberArk covers 10 of 110 NIST 800-171 controls (9%), with 2 partially covered and 4 gaps.
Can CyberArk alone satisfy CMMC Level 2?
No single tool covers all 110 NIST 800-171 controls. CyberArk covers 9% and should be part of a layered security stack addressing the remaining controls.
What controls does CyberArk not cover?
CyberArk does not cover controls mp-3-8-1, sc-3-13-1, si-3-14-1, pe-3-10-1. These require supplementary solutions such as physical security controls, additional access management, or media protection tools.
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