What is DFARS 7012?

DFARS 252.204-7012 Explained

DFARS 252.204-7012 is the foundational clause in the expanded DFARS 70xx series (7012, 7019, 7020, and 7021). It applies to all Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and subcontracts, with the exception of those limited strictly to commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items. The clause requires contractors to implement both technical and procedural safeguards based on NIST Special Publication 800-171, and to rapidly report cyber incidents involving Covered Defense Information (CDI).

Unlike CMMC, which introduces formal third-party assessments as a condition of award, DFARS 7012 operates on a self-attestation model. That distinction has led to increased scrutiny and is part of what drove the development of CMMC as an enforcement mechanism.

DFARS 7012 has been in effect since December 31, 2017, and remains an active requirement today. It was introduced in response to the growing frequency and severity of data breaches across the Defense Industrial Base. If you are a DoD prime or subcontractor, DFARS 7012 is almost certainly included in your contract or flow-down agreement. It continues to apply alongside CMMC and remains a critical foundation for compliance.

How Can CorpInfoTech Help?

At CorpInfoTech, we operate within this space every day. Our work starts with helping defense contractors understand their contractual obligations and extends into building programs that meet them.

As a CMMC Level 2 certified Managed Service Provider, we know how to navigate the practical challenges of aligning technical environments with regulatory frameworks like DFARS 7012. We build compliance into operational reality, addressing legacy systems, shared infrastructure, and lean IT staffing, all without disrupting production.

Our clients trust us to help them meet their cybersecurity obligations without overengineering solutions or losing sight of mission goals.