What is DoD Directive 8570.1?
Directive 8570.1 is part the Department of Defense program called the "National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace." This program was started to keep our national data and technology safe. According to the directive, all "Information Assurance" personnel must have certifications to validate their skills by January 1, 2010. It applies to all branches of the armed forces, as well as private contractors who work with the Department of Defense.

Who is Affected?
DoD Directive 8570.1 affects "anyone with privileged system access who performs Information Assurance (IA) functions." That includes personnel in management roles, who are referred to as Information Assurance Management (IAM) and technical staff members, referred to as Information Assurance Technical (IAT). The result is that everyone with access to privileged systems will require traceable and verifiable IT certifications in order to retain his or her job. Each agency will be required to report their compliance annually to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Failure to do so may result in a loss of funding.

How can I comply with DOD Directive 8570.1?
The simple answer is "make sure all of your Information Assurance personnel earn the required certifications." Putting that into practice isn't as easy. Becoming compliant requires knowledge and due diligence on your part. To get started, take a look at PrepLogic's 5 Ways You Can Become Compliant with DoD Directive 8570.1M

5 Ways To Stay Compliant with DoD Directive 8570.1

1. Stay Up To Date
Keeping current on the requirements for DoD 8570.1 compliance is very important. Right now there are two categories of Information Assurance Personnel, but two more have been proposed. If additional categories are approved, or if other changes to the directive occur, it's critical that you're aware of the changes. An excellent way for you to stay informed and up to date is to check in regularly at PrepLogic.

2. Remember the Deadlines
All Information Assurance personnel must earn certifications to meet the criteria for DoD 8570.1 compliance by January 1, 2010. Also, it's important that you know the deadlines associated with the certifications your people are required to earn. An easy and useful way to keep up with these deadlines is PrepLogic's 2009 DoD 8570.1 Calendar. This Free PDF download provides a complete 14 month calendar with important information related to DoD 8570.1 as well as national holidays and more. It's fully illustrated with additional information you'll use throughout the year. Download it for Free.

3. Know the Certifications
There are many certifications that qualify towards DoD 8570.1 compliance. It's in your best interest to be an expert on them all. You should know the requirements for each certification, the costs, the lead time and the best way to train your staff to pass the exams. In addition, since DoD 8570.1 requires that certifications are kept current, you should know how long each certification is valid and what the steps are for recertification. The best place to find answers to all of your certification questions is PrepLogic's DoD 8570.1 support center. You can reach them at 1-800-418-6789.

4. Know the DoD Categories and Levels
Where do you fit in with DoD Directive 8570.1? There are a number of different categories, classifications and levels of Information Assurance personnel. To maintain compliance you need to be familiar with each category so you know exactly which requirements are applicable to you.

5. Have a Training Plan in Place
Most contractors who interact with the DoD have a percentage of Information Assurance personnel that aren't certified. If you want to continue to your DoD business, the burden is on you to ensure that they become compliant. In addition, it's probable that new team members and employees will have to become certified under your watch. Add that to the recertification requirements and you can tell that you have a significant need for certification training. To ensure that you get the most reliable training that meets your time and budget you should develop a training plan. PrepLogic can help you develop a training strategy that gives you the best results for your dollar and helps you continue to benefit from your valuable DoD contracts. Find out more about PrepLogic training strategies by calling our DoD 8570.1 support center at 1-800-418-6789.