FCI
Federal Contract Information (FCI) refers to information provided by or generated for the government under a contract that is not intended for public release. While FCI is not classified or as sensitive as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), it still requires protection to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure.
Key Aspects of FCI:
1 - Definition:
FCI includes any information that is not public and is provided or developed during the course of performing a federal contract.
It does not include information that is already publicly available or intended for public release.
2 - Examples of FCI:
- Internal communications about project timelines or deliverables
- Pricing and cost estimates provided by contractors to the government
- Non-sensitive contractual documentation, specifications, or reports that are not shared with the public.
3 - Safeguarding FCI:
FCI requires basic security controls to prevent unauthorized disclosure. Contractors must implement minimum cybersecurity standards for handling FCI, as outlined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-21.
These basic controls typically include:
- Limiting system access to authorized users
- Identifying and authenticating users
- Protecting against malicious code
- Limiting physical access to systems
- Updating systems with necessary patches and security fixes
4 - Relationship to CMMC:
CMMC Level 1 focuses on protecting FCI. It requires companies to implement 17 basic cybersecurity controls derived from FAR 52.204-21. This level is aimed at safeguarding FCI but does not involve the more stringent protections needed for CUI.
5 - Difference Between FCI and CUI:
FCI is generally considered less sensitive than CUI and does not require the comprehensive controls needed for CUI, such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-171.
While both types of information must be protected, FCI typically deals with contractual data that is not critical to national security.
Importance of Protecting FCI:
Ensuring the security of FCI is essential for maintaining the integrity of federal contracts. Although FCI is less sensitive than classified or CUI data, its unauthorized disclosure could still negatively impact government operations, contractor competitiveness, or lead to contract violations.
For defense contractors or those working with the government, safeguarding FCI is a fundamental requirement under CMMC Level 1 and FAR regulations.