Providing services that keep pace with the continually-evolving nature of digital technologies is no easy task, especially in the high-stakes world of intelligence and national defense. Tech companies and service providers looking to make inroads in the intelligence community can face questions of experience and security clearances, especially in terms of cybersecurity. Without the proper level of experience, expertise, and clearance, businesses will find intelligence contracts elusive at best.
The good news is that as a business owner offering valuable services, you can partner with an IT security firm with the connections and certifications needed to work with clients in the intelligence community. By leveraging your partner's expertise, you can gain traction and additional credibility in the community, paving the way to lucrative contracts.
In particular, firms that employ veterans are uniquely well-suited for cybersecurity operations and solutions. This second article of our five-part series will explore why it is so advantageous to partner with a cybersecurity firm with previous military experience, focusing on the following three reasons.
1. Making Inroads in the Intelligence Community Is Difficult
Cyber intelligence is a challenging field to break into — and not without reason. The field of cybersecurity is constantly shifting and evolving, with new tools, best practices, and attack vectors emerging regularly. Beyond that, the intelligence community can initially seem vast and impenetrable for organizations that haven't yet made inroads. Working with a skilled, knowledgeable IT security partner with the right connections is essential.
Cropper Federal Security was founded by a former U.S. Air Force commander and maintains an extensive list of connections and trusted relationships with the military community. In our 24-year history and counting, we have worked closely with both government and non-government clients. We have the connections you need to break the ice and win clients in the intelligence community.
2. Military Veterans Have the Traits Needed for Success
Veterans have everything necessary to succeed in the field of cybersecurity. Veterans are well-educated and experienced: the United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) operates across branches of the armed forces, protecting the nation's most critical digital assets. In addition, military veterans are hard-working team players, many of whom possess leadership and communications experience. They are flexible and skilled at navigating highly complex, fast-paced situations.
Ninety percent of staff members at Cropper Federal Security are veterans. Many have a track record of past performance in the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS), which is the branch's primary weapon system for collecting, processing, and analyzing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
3. You Can Hit the Ground Running Immediately
Getting started with offering cybersecurity products and services as part of a comprehensive package isn't always smooth sailing. It can take time to hire, onboard, and train the right people, and then start winning your first clients. In addition, many customers require that you have a particular combination of certifications, experience, and even security clearances.
Partnering with an experienced, qualified IT security firm like Cropper Federal Security will save you all this effort. Cropper Federal Security maintains active security clearances at the highest level, which will help save you weeks and months of the lengthy and onerous security clearance processes.
How to Select the Right Cybersecurity Firm
With so many potential partners, finding the best cybersecurity firm and combining your efforts isn't always straightforward. So how can you evaluate potential IT security partners for the right fit?
First, perform an honest assessment of the products and services you want to offer, both now and in the future. These may include everything from firewalls, antivirus software, and encryption to access management and employee training. The right partner will be able to expand your current offerings and fill in gaps for service offerings, giving you a more comprehensive and attractive package of services.
Next, evaluate the potential partner's qualifications to meet these needs. This may include everything from IT certifications to security clearances and relevant past performance. If possible, read case studies or speak with some of the firm's previous clients in the intelligence community to get a sense of the working relationship.
About Cropper Federal Security
Cropper Federal Security is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. We provide an extensive suite of IT strategy consulting, cybersecurity, cyber intelligence, engineering, and mission support solutions.
For more than two decades, Cropper Federal Security leadership has been involved in numerous critical C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) programs for the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense — from Squadron to Combatant Command (COCOM) levels.
Our operational and technical expertise includes:
- IT strategy consulting: CIO/CTO/CISO support; cybersecurity; waterfall, agile, and lean processes; strategic planning and roadmapping; leadership and mentorship; etc.
- Cybersecurity operations and solutions: System engineering and integration; engineering analysis; cross-domain solutions; cybersecurity architecture and design; public key infrastructure (PKI); risk management framework (RMF) implementation and management; etc.
- IT operations and management: Information management/information technology (IM/IT) solutions; portfolio management; telecommunications; information assurance (IA); etc.
Our next article in this series will discuss why you should partner with a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business for your cybersecurity needs. To learn more about our military credentials and how we can help improve your IT security posture, get in touch with our team today.
