Unlock the Power Of Gots In Cybersecurity
By Tom Seest
What Is Government-Off-The-Shelf In Cybersecurity?
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As the federal government embarks on its journey toward cybersecurity modernization, one area is especially vital: software. Indeed, President Biden’s Executive Order 14028 mandated agencies to take action in this space in order to safeguard software supply chains.
However, the challenge is formidable. Many commercial software products lack transparency, adequate emphasis on security measures, and effective controls to prevent tampering.
What Is Government-Off-The-Shelf In Cybersecurity?
Table Of Contents
Unlock the Secrets of Government-Off-The-Shelf (GOTS)?
Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) is an acronym for prepackaged software or hardware solutions that have already been designed to government specifications. This can be beneficial to agencies as it saves them both money and resources on development costs.
However, GOTS can be a challenging platform to work with due to various reasons. One of the biggest is that much of its software contains cybersecurity vulnerabilities – an issue facing an increasing number of federal agencies.
Another consideration is that GOTS solutions tend to be tailored for commercial use rather than operational environments like military bases or critical infrastructure. This makes them less secure than their more sophisticated counterparts.
Another factor contributing to the fierce competition for the GOTS software prize is the sheer volume of software vendors vying for attention. To stay ahead, they are offering the newest security technologies.
The biggest challenge facing government organizations today is keeping up with the rapid advancements in cybersecurity technology, a problem which will only worsen over time. Therefore, they must look beyond their own IT departments for new ways to safeguard their data and systems.
Thankfully, there are a number of organizations helping the government tackle these challenges. These include the National Institute for Standards and Technology, the Defense Department, and the FBI. These bodies provide guidance and support to agencies and vendors as they identify and implement successful cybersecurity solutions.
Unlock the Secrets of Government-Off-The-Shelf (GOTS)?
What Does GOTS Evaluation Mean for Cybersecurity?
GOTS Evaluation is the process by which Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and Government Off-the-Shelf (GOTS) products are evaluated to meet the needs of National Security Systems. NIAP oversees this evaluation process and compiles a list of products that have met evaluation requirements to support National Security Systems.
NIAP assesses commercial IT products that are GOTS-compliant for use by DoD organizations and provides an approved product list to assist customers in making informed choices. GOTS-compliant items have been assessed against specific risk analysis requirements and system accreditation criteria to guarantee they provide adequate cybersecurity protection in a given environment of use.
The GOTS evaluation includes several criteria, such as environmental and social criteria derived from key global norms from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations (UN). The standard applies to all processing stages in the textile supply chain and requires all certifying bodies to conduct annual on-site inspections of factories, manufacturers, and traders.
Certification is based on several criteria, such as ensuring the organic status of raw materials, preventing pesticide and GMO contamination, conserving chemical use, waste, and water consumption, and treating wastewater before it’s discharged to surface water. Furthermore, certification involves tracing production flows and inputs used, assessing wastewater treatment systems, monitoring social criteria, and implementing a risk assessment-based quality and residue policy.
However, GOTS certification doesn’t end there; third-party verification of manufacturers and traders must also take place. Unlike other organic certifications, GOTS covers the entire textile supply chain from harvest to end product with an emphasis on social conditions and environmental criteria.
The GOTS standard was developed by a working group of experts from different stakeholder groups, such as Cradle to Cradle, Fair Labor Association, Fairtrade International, Greenpeace International, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Transparency International, and Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production. Its revision is overseen by an international committee comprised of representatives from these organizations plus other governmental agencies.
Though GOTS is an important milestone for the global organic industry, its standards may not be suitable for all farmers around the world. Furthermore, some have criticized GOTS for allowing fraudulent practices.
What Does GOTS Evaluation Mean for Cybersecurity?
What is GOTS Certification for Cybersecurity?
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is an internationally acclaimed and leading certification for textile processing with organic fibers. It sets forth stringent requirements across the entire supply chain in textile manufacturing for environmental sustainability and labor conditions.
In 2002, four renowned member organizations joined forces to form the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). These included the Organic Trade Association (OTA) from America, The Soil Association in Britain, International Association of Natural Textile Industry (IVN) in Germany, and the Japan Organic Cotton Association.
GOTS certification guarantees that all products meet stringent criteria, from organic fibers and dyes used to their packaging and labeling. Furthermore, it requires all chemical inputs and processes to meet specific environmental and toxicological requirements.
Organic products must typically be organically farmed according to international or national organic standards, using non-toxic pesticides and fertilizers, and then harvested at the end of their production cycle.
Materials must be segregated throughout the production chain to avoid contamination or mixing of organic and conventional fibers. Furthermore, GOTS standards demand that dyes be organically made and any phthalates or other chemicals not be used during printing.
This helps safeguard people against hazardous chemicals. Non-organic dyes and other toxic materials may cause allergic reactions or other health problems when misused.
GOTS certification also incorporates social standards that guarantee the safety and well-being of workers throughout the production process. They must not be exposed to child labor, harsh or inhumane treatment, excessive working hours, discrimination, or other workplace issues.
A GOTS-certified facility must implement quality assurance systems and monitor production and labor conditions to meet these standards. They must also uphold a global human rights policy, providing their workers with a living wage, as well as adhere to other relevant international conventions.
GOTS-certified facilities must also monitor and document their water and energy use in their operations. They should keep detailed records on how much water and energy is consumed per kilogram of textile produced, with target goals and procedures established to reduce these numbers if necessary.
What is GOTS Certification for Cybersecurity?
Unlock the Benefits of GOTS Approval in Cybersecurity
GOTS Approval is the process of verifying that a product meets certain criteria set out by GOTS and its certifying bodies. In short, this requires meeting environmental, social, and technical criteria established by GOTS and its certification bodies.
The GOTS process begins with an on-site inspection of all harvesting, processing, spinning, weaving/knitting, and wet processing operations that make up a product’s lifecycle. A certified consultant or certification body reviews these results and issues a Letter of Approval verifying that the item meets GOTS standards.
A GOTS-certified product must also use only preapproved dyes and other non-toxic chemicals for color. Furthermore, these items must be dyed in an accredited wet processing facility that has undergone inspection and certification.
GOTS is an ideal product certification that encompasses the entirety of a textile company’s operations and meets all major environmental, social, health, and safety criteria. Not only does GOTS set high standards for sustainability in textile production models – especially among brands seeking to reduce their carbon footprint while safeguarding workers and customers from hazardous materials in their supply chains – it’s worth all the effort since this solution has proven itself in today’s highly competitive marketplace.
Unlock the Benefits of GOTS Approval in Cybersecurity
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