M&A Cyber Due Diligence for NASA Contractors: NIST 800-171, ITAR & Contract Security
M&A cyber due diligence for NASA contractors is a specialized cybersecurity assessment that evaluates NIST SP 800-171 compliance, ITAR requirements, and NASA contract security obligations during aerospace acquisitions. Ecuron provides comprehensive assessments for private equity firms, aerospace primes, and strategic buyers acquiring NASA contractors, delivering quantified remediation costs, contract risk analysis, and compliance roadmaps within your transaction timeline.
Ecuron’s specialized M&A cyber due diligence services help buyers, private equity firms, and strategic investors uncover critical security vulnerabilities and compliance risks before closing—protecting your investment and ensuring continuity of NASA contracts.
What is M&A Cyber Due Diligence for NASA Contractors?
M&A cyber due diligence for NASA contractors is a specialized assessment that evaluates a target company’s compliance with NASA contract security requirements, federal cybersecurity standards, and export control regulations before acquisition closing.
Key assessment areas: – NIST SP 800-171 compliance (all 110 security controls and 320 assessment objectives) – NASA contract security clauses and flow-down requirements – ITAR and EAR export control compliance – Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Controlled Technical Information (CTI) protection – System Security Plan (SSP) accuracy and completeness – Incident history and NASA reporting compliance – Technical data and intellectual property protection – Aerospace supply chain security risks
Timeline: 2-6 weeks depending on contract portfolio complexity
Deliverable: NIST 800-171 gap analysis, ITAR compliance assessment, quantified remediation costs, and contract risk evaluation
Critical for: Private equity firms, aerospace primes, and strategic buyers acquiring NASA contractors and aerospace suppliers
Schedule a confidential NASA contractor M&A assessment →
Why is cybersecurity due diligence critical for NASA contractor acquisitions?
NASA contractors handle sensitive mission data, intellectual property, and technical information subject to strict cybersecurity requirements. A target company’s security posture directly affects:
- Contract continuity: Cybersecurity deficiencies can trigger contract reviews or suspensions
- Deal valuation: Hidden compliance gaps may require millions in post-acquisition remediation
- Intellectual property protection: Inadequate security puts proprietary aerospace technology at risk
- Regulatory compliance: NASA contract security requirements and NIST standards must be maintained
- Reputation risk: Security incidents can damage relationships with NASA and prime contractors
- Integration complexity: Poor security infrastructure complicates post-merger integration
Comprehensive NASA contractor M&A due diligence protects your aerospace investment and ensures mission continuity.
What does NASA contractor M&A cyber due diligence assess?
NASA Contract Security Requirements
- Compliance with NASA contract security clauses and flow-down requirements
- Implementation of contractually-mandated security controls
- Review of security documentation and compliance evidence
- Assessment of security reporting and incident notification procedures
- Verification of continuous monitoring and assessment practices
NIST SP 800-171 Compliance
- Evaluation of all 110 security controls across 14 families
- Assessment of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Controlled Technical Information (CTI) protection
- Review of System Security Plan (SSP) accuracy and completeness
- Verification of self-assessment accuracy and SPRS score (if applicable)
- Analysis of Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) and remediation timelines
FAR and Contract Clause Compliance
- Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) cybersecurity clause implementation (FAR 52.204-21)
- Assessment of contractor obligations under specific NASA contract terms
- Review of incident reporting procedures and historical compliance
- Evaluation of subcontractor flow-down requirements
- Analysis of past audit findings and corrective actions
Export Control and ITAR Compliance
- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) compliance assessment
- Export Administration Regulations (EAR) adherence
- Technical data protection and access controls
- Foreign national access controls and monitoring
- Deemed export compliance verification
Intellectual Property and Technical Data Protection
- Protection of proprietary aerospace designs and specifications
- Research and development data security
- Mission-critical system documentation safeguards
- Collaboration platform security (with NASA and partners)
- Supply chain technical information protection
Incident History and Threat Assessment
- Review of past security incidents and breaches
- Verification of incident reporting to NASA and relevant authorities
- Assessment of threat actor interest in aerospace sector targets
- Dark web monitoring for compromised credentials or technical data
- Analysis of advanced persistent threat (APT) exposure
Contract and Compliance Risk Evaluation
- Review of NASA contract cybersecurity clauses and requirements
- Assessment of prime contractor flow-down requirements
- Evaluation of subcontractor security obligations
- Identification of contracts at risk due to security gaps
- Analysis of compliance history and corrective action effectiveness
Technical Security Infrastructure
- Network segmentation and boundary protection
- Access control systems and identity management
- Encryption implementation for data at rest and in transit
- Security monitoring and incident detection capabilities
- Vulnerability management and patch deployment processes
- Backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning
Supply Chain and Third-Party Risk
- Subcontractor and vendor security assessments
- Cloud service provider compliance verification
- Foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) considerations
- Supply chain attack surface analysis
- Critical component sourcing security review
How does the NASA contractor M&A due diligence process work?
Phase 1: Rapid Risk Assessment (1-2 Weeks)
We quickly identify critical cybersecurity and compliance red flags that could impact deal terms, valuation, or contract continuity.
What we do:
- Document review (SSP, POA&M, contract security clauses, audit reports)
- NASA contract and compliance requirement analysis
- Stakeholder interviews with security, IT, and program leadership
- Preliminary risk identification and deal impact assessment
Deliverable: Executive summary with critical findings and go/no-go recommendation
Phase 2: Comprehensive Technical Assessment (3-4 Weeks)
Our cybersecurity experts conduct an in-depth evaluation of security controls, infrastructure, and compliance posture.
What we do:
- On-site or remote technical security assessment
- Control validation against NIST SP 800-171 and contract requirements
- Vulnerability scanning and configuration analysis
- ITAR and export control compliance verification
- Incident response and security operations review
Deliverable: Detailed technical findings with evidence and severity ratings
Phase 3: Risk Report and Remediation Strategy
We deliver actionable findings with financial impact analysis to inform your acquisition decision and post-merger planning.
What you receive:
- Executive summary highlighting critical risks and deal implications
- Detailed findings with evidence, severity ratings, and compliance gaps
- Remediation cost estimates and implementation timelines
- Contract risk analysis and mitigation recommendations
- Post-merger integration roadmap for security and compliance
- Recommendations for deal structure, price adjustments, or contingencies
Request a customized NASA contractor assessment proposal →
What are common red flags in NASA contractor acquisitions?
Non-Compliance with Contract Security Clauses
Failure to implement required security controls or maintain documentation as specified in NASA contracts, creating contract performance risk.
ITAR Violations or Non-Compliance
Inadequate export controls or foreign national access violations that create legal liability and contract risk.
Unreported Security Incidents
Failure to report breaches or incidents to NASA as required by contract, creating compliance violations and trust issues.
Inadequate Technical Data Protection
Proprietary aerospace designs or mission-critical information stored without proper access controls or encryption.
Incomplete or Inaccurate NIST 800-171 Implementation
Inflated self-assessments or missing controls that create immediate compliance liability and remediation costs.
Weak Supply Chain Security
Subcontractors or vendors with inadequate security, creating vulnerabilities in the aerospace supply chain.
Foreign Influence Concerns
Ownership structures or partnerships that raise FOCI issues or export control complications.
Why choose specialized NASA contractor M&A due diligence?
NASA Contractor Expertise
We specialize in serving NASA contractors and aerospace companies, understanding the unique intersection of NASA contract requirements, NIST 800-171 compliance, and export control regulations.
Aerospace Industry Focus
Our exclusive focus on aerospace and defense means we understand mission-critical systems, technical data protection, and the complexities of the aerospace supply chain.
NIST 800-171 and Compliance Specialization
Deep expertise in NIST SP 800-171, FAR cybersecurity clauses, and NASA-specific contract security requirements that apply to contractors.
Deal-Oriented Approach
We work within M&A timelines and deliver findings in business terms—translating technical risks into financial impact, deal considerations, and actionable remediation plans.
Post-Acquisition Support
If you proceed with the acquisition, we can serve as your implementation partner to remediate gaps, achieve compliance, and integrate security operations.
**Learn more about our M&A cyber due diligence services →**
Who We Serve
- Private Equity Firms acquiring NASA contractors or aerospace portfolio companies
- Aerospace Primes evaluating strategic acquisitions or supplier partnerships
- Strategic Buyers expanding into the space and aerospace sectors
- Investment Banks conducting technical due diligence for aerospace transactions
- Law Firms representing clients in NASA contractor M&A deals
- Family Offices investing in aerospace and space technology companies
Related M&A Due Diligence Services
Defense Contractor M&A Due Diligence — Specialized assessments for DoD contractors with CMMC, DFARS, and CUI compliance requirements.
Private Equity M&A Due Diligence — Investment committee-ready assessments for PE firms evaluating aerospace and defense acquisitions.
M&A Cyber Due Diligence Services — Comprehensive cybersecurity due diligence across all industries and transaction types.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does NASA contractor M&A due diligence take?
Our typical engagement ranges from 2-6 weeks depending on the target’s size, number of contracts, and technical complexity. We offer expedited assessments for time-sensitive transactions and can complete rapid assessments in 72 hours when urgency requires.
Do you need access to classified information?
Most NASA contractor due diligence involves unclassified but sensitive technical information. If classified access is required, we can coordinate with appropriately cleared personnel or work within the constraints of your deal structure.
What if the target has multiple NASA contracts with different requirements?
We assess each contract’s specific cybersecurity requirements and evaluate the target’s ability to maintain compliance across their entire NASA contract portfolio. Our assessment identifies contract-specific risks and prioritizes remediation by contract value and criticality.
Can you assess ITAR compliance during due diligence?
Yes. We evaluate export control programs, technical data protection, foreign national access controls, and deemed export compliance as part of our comprehensive assessment. Our team includes experts with deep ITAR and EAR compliance experience.
How do you handle confidentiality during the due diligence process?
We routinely work under strict NDAs and understand the sensitive nature of aerospace M&A transactions and technical information. All findings are delivered through secure channels, and we maintain rigorous information security protocols.
What if we discover significant NIST 800-171 compliance gaps?
We provide a detailed remediation roadmap with timeline and cost estimates to achieve full compliance. This information allows you to factor remediation into deal terms, escrow arrangements, or post-merger planning. Most gaps can be addressed with proper planning and investment.
Do you provide sell-side due diligence for NASA contractors?
Yes. We help NASA contractors prepare for sale by conducting pre-sale security assessments, remediating critical gaps, and preparing documentation that demonstrates cybersecurity readiness and compliance to potential buyers.
Can you support post-merger security integration?
Absolutely. Many clients engage us for ongoing post-close support, helping integrate security operations, remediate findings, and maintain NASA contract compliance during the transition period.
How do NASA contractor requirements differ from DoD contractor requirements?
While both require NIST 800-171 compliance, NASA contractors face unique challenges including ITAR/EAR compliance for aerospace technology, mission-critical system protection, and NASA-specific contract security clauses. DoD contractors must also prepare for CMMC certification, which NASA does not currently require.
Protect Your Aerospace Investment
Don’t let hidden cybersecurity risks compromise your NASA contractor acquisition. Our specialized M&A due diligence services provide the technical depth and aerospace expertise you need to make informed decisions and protect your investment.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation
Ecuron2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 200Houston, TX 77019
Phone: +1-713-646-5044
M&A Inquiry: ma@ecuron.com
CMMC Inquiries: cmmc@ecuron.com
Discuss your acquisition timeline and due diligence requirements with our aerospace cybersecurity experts. We typically respond within 4 business hours and can begin assessments within 48 hours of engagement.
Request a no-obligation consultation and customized assessment proposal →
About Ecuron: We specialize in cybersecurity compliance for aerospace and defense contractors. We help NASA contractors and Defense Industrial Base companies achieve and maintain NIST SP 800-171 compliance, CMMC certification, and ISO 27001 certification. Our team understands the unique requirements of the aerospace sector and the critical importance of protecting mission-critical systems and technical data.