Providing Enterprise Cybersecurity Across the Federal Network

About Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM)

The CDM Dynamic and Evolving Federal Enterprise Network Defense (DEFEND) program is a suite of cyber defense capabilities implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) that focuses on continuous and comprehensive asset discovery and reporting, network identity and access management, network security management, and data protection across the entire Federal Civilian Executive Branch enterprise.

CDM that spans on premises, off premises (Cloud) and mobile assets, enables CISA analysts to collaborate with Agency cybersecurity teams to conduct threat detection and response activities, and thus advances the tenants of zero trust architecture by significantly improving asset and identity management.  Further, deployed CDM capabilities can automate many aspects of cybersecurity.      

Why CDM Matters

Implementing CDM is a critical enabler for advancing the priorities set forth in Executive Order 14028: Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, and DHS’s Binding Operational Directive 23-01: Improving Asset Visibility and Vulnerability Detection on Federal Networks, which directs Agencies to provide asset and vulnerability information to CISA’s CDM Federal Dashboard.

Why ManTech

ManTech has been a stalwart defender supporting the CDM program since its inception over a decade ago. Having held prime contracts implementing the program for DHS and its Component Agencies, for the initial Shared Services Platform delivering CDM as a service, and most recently for the DEFEND E portfolio, ManTech has deep CDM program experience and unmatched expertise. ManTech is currently supporting the DEFEND E portfolio, implementing CDM capabilities at an accelerated pace through ongoing cybersecurity initiatives. DEFEND E-supported Agencies are:  

• Department of Education (ED)

• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

• HUD Office of Inspector General (HUD OIG)

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

• Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

• National Science Foundation (NSF)

• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

• Small Business Administration (SBA)

Success Story

CDM helps federal agencies manage information technology security and further their programmatic missions.

A recent illustration of the CDM program significance, is when the Small Business Administration (SBA) used CDM services and tools to quickly scale up and secure its IT infrastructure to deploy capabilities made possible through distribution of CARES Act funds and support economically-impacted business owners as the COVID-19 pandemic was gripping the nation. Please click here to read the full Small Business Administration success story (pdf, 153KB).

"Without this support from CDM, we would have struggled. Instead, we gained additional threat intelligence and an operational boost we needed in the short-term, and for the long-term we have gained foundational improvements that will enhance our systems well into the future." - SBA CISO