Carahsoft Partners with USX Cyber to Distribute Guardient Cybersecurity Platform

In a significant development for the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), USX Cyber has announced its partnership with Carahsoft Technology Corp. to distribute the Guardient cybersecurity platform. This strategic collaboration aims to assist over 220,000 defense contractors and subcontractors in meeting the rigorous compliance requirements of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2, which has now become a standard part of contract language set by the Department of War. The ongoing integration of cybersecurity needs into government procurement has placed urgency on contractors to not only comply but also to do so efficiently and effectively.

The landscape for cybersecurity compliance is evolving rapidly. Previously, achieving CMMC Level 2 compliance involved complex processes requiring an extensive array of tools and significant upfront costs, often in the six-figure range. Traditional compliance paths could take anywhere from six to twelve months, creating a bottleneck for smaller firms that comprise a substantial portion of the DIB. In response to these challenges, the Guardient platform has been designed to streamline compliance by unifying various functions essential for security operations, such as Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Security Operations Center (SOC) services, Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC), and Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) into a single, cohesive system.

The establishment of this partnership is more than just a transactional relationship; it represents a vital move to address the immediate needs of government contractors for compliance solutions. As stated by Clyde Goldbach, Founder and CEO of USX Cyber, “CMMC Level 2 is no longer a future requirement — it is in contract language today, and primes are demanding proof from their subcontractors right now.” This urgency forms the basis of the partnership's appeal, as Carahsoft—acting as USX Cyber's Master Government Aggregator—will provide contracting vehicles such as NASA SEWP V, TIPS, OMNIA Partners, and E&I Cooperative Services, enabling quick and cost-effective access to the Guardient platform across multiple procurement channels.

This initiative will not only expedite compliance but will also strengthen the overall cybersecurity posture of the DIB, as organizations can achieve necessary readiness without extending resources disproportionately. The Guardient platform will provide continuous security monitoring, and compliance evidence will be generated as a byproduct of daily security activities. By leveraging established government contracting pathways, defense contractors can easily integrate this solution into their existing operations.

In a broader context, the partnership highlights an important trend in contracting practices in the defense sector: the convergence of compliance and cybersecurity within procurement processes. The integrated cybersecurity platforms that are now being prioritized by government agencies reflect a clear movement towards a more streamlined and efficient model for safeguarding sensitive information—a critical necessity in today’s threat landscape. As stated by Alex Whitworth, CMMC solutions executive at Carahsoft: "Carahsoft is committed to providing the DIB and Public Sector with the tools they need to meet the cybersecurity standards required by today’s mission environment."

This collaboration marks an essential advancement in making essential cybersecurity solutions more accessible to government contractors. Procurement professionals within the DIB should closely monitor this partnership, as it presents a considerable opportunity for enhancing their compliance capabilities efficiently and effectively.

• The availability of Guardient through multiple contract vehicles including NASA SEWP V (contracts NNG15SC03B and NNG15SC27B), TIPS (#220105), OMNIA Partners (#R240303), and E&I (#EI00063~2021MA) expands procurement options for federal agencies and contractors.
• Procurement professionals should consider Guardient as a scalable solution to meet mandatory CMMC Level 2 readiness and NIST 800-171 compliance for defense contracts.
• Contractors in the Defense Industrial Base can leverage this partnership to accelerate cybersecurity compliance, reducing risk and improving eligibility for DoD contracts.
• The partnership highlights the growing importance of integrated cybersecurity platforms distributed via established government contracting channels to streamline acquisition and compliance processes.
• The Guardient platform provides continuous security monitoring and assists in producing compliance evidence necessary for fulfilling federal cybersecurity requirements.
• Guardient is purpose-built to compress compliance timelines and eliminate the use of multiple disjointed tools, making compliance more accessible for smaller firms.
• As primes increasingly demand proof of compliance from subcontractors, defense contractors must adjust quickly to the evolving procurement landscape influenced by CMMC requirements.
• Carahsoft's extensive reach within the public sector enhances the distribution and accessibility of essential cybersecurity solutions like Guardient to defense contractors across the board.