· Cybersecurity · 2 min read
Are You Willing to Bet Your Career on Human Attestation Alone?
Relying solely on human attestation in cybersecurity compliance is risky; machine attestation provides unbiased, real-time monitoring and strengthens legal defense. For Affirming Officials, integrating automated evidence collection is essential for reliable compliance, minimizing human error, and ensuring accountability in today’s high-stakes regulatory landscape.
Affirming Officials, it’s time to face a hard truth.
In the high-stakes world of cybersecurity compliance, especially under the CMMC framework, trusting without verifying is a gamble you can’t afford. Relying solely on human-generated reports and artifacts might have been acceptable in the past, but today, it’s a risk that could have severe legal repercussions.
The Hidden Dangers
- Human Error is Inevitable: No matter how competent your team is, mistakes happen. Oversights in documentation or misinterpretations of compliance requirements can leave gaping holes in your security posture.
- Subjectivity vs. Objectivity: Human attestation is inherently subjective. Can you be absolutely certain that every control is implemented exactly as reported?
- Legal Implications Are Real: With the increasing enforcement of laws like the False Claims Act, signing off on inaccurate compliance reports isn’t just a procedural hiccup—it’s a potential legal nightmare.
Demanding Transparency is Your Responsibility
As an Affirming Official, you are required to attest that the organization is satisfying and will maintain its specified cybersecurity requirements. Therefore, you have an obligation to ask for granular, detailed reports from your team. Insist on knowing exactly which pieces of CMMC evidence are based on human attestation and which are backed by machine-generated data. This isn’t about distrust; it’s about due diligence.
Why Machine Attestation is Non-Negotiable
- Unbiased Verification: Machines don’t have off days. Automated systems provide consistent, reliable evidence of compliance without the risk of human fallibility.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Machine-generated evidence allows for continuous compliance checks, catching issues before they escalate.
- Legal Safeguard: Having machine-backed evidence strengthens your defense in case of audits or legal scrutiny. It shows proactive measures were taken to ensure compliance.
Action Steps You Need to Take Now
- Audit Your Current Evidence: Identify which compliance artifacts are human-attested and which are machine-generated.
- Implement Machine Attestation Tools: Invest in technologies that provide automated evidence collection and reporting.
- Educate Your Team: Ensure that your staff understands the importance of machine attestation and integrates it into their compliance processes.
- Review Legal Obligations: Consult with legal counsel to fully grasp the implications of signing off on compliance reports.
The Bottom Line
Your signature carries weight—not just for your organization’s reputation but for your personal accountability. In today’s regulatory environment, machine attestation isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Don’t let outdated practices put you or your company at risk.
Choose certainty over assumption. Choose machine attestation for your compliance needs.
