State of Michigan - MDC Cyber
Abstract
Michigan is a key contributor to the national defense Industrial base. Approximately 4,000 defense suppliers located in the state generate over $31 billion of total economic activity annually. But fluctuations in defense spending going back to 2011, and continuing up to the flat line defense budget in 2021, have created vulnerability in Michigan’s defense sector. The lack of predictability in the federal defense budget make it difficult to plan and invest at the small and mid-sized company level because these companies do not know if today’s defense contract will be there tomorrow. This disincentive to bidding on defense work serves to weaken the defense industrial base as manufacturers seek more predictability in their business cycle. Exacerbating the problem is Department of Defense (DoD) requirements for these companies to achieve a set level of cybersecurity compliance under National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-171. Michigan’s defense supply chain is primarily made up of smaller companies where 50 percent or less of their portfolios are comprised of federal contracts. Their workforce is comprised predominantly of design and production talent rather than administrative talent, which makes cybersecurity compliance especially challenging. These companies need help now in establishing foundational level of cybersecurity maturity and complying with DoD guidelines. Under this grant the Michigan Defense Center and the University of Michigan will build upon and coalesce the programs each had previously created to help Michigan’s small and medium-sized companies achieve the level of cybersecurity compliance which will allow them to continue doing business with the DoD. A comprehensive, state-wide program will ensure that all Michigan companies at any level of cybersecurity maturity will have access to information, education, tools, and services to assist with cybersecurity compliance in a way that is more efficient and effective than if they were to navigate the process on their own. This effort should help these companies to be more resilient and responsive to DoD demand signals and reduce disincentives to doing business with DoD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 24, 2022
- Source ID
- HQ00052110052
Entities
People
- Haneen Wraikat
Organizations
- Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation
- Office of the Secretary of Defense