RFI - Senior Information Security Officer (SISO)
RFI - Senior Information Security Officer (SISO)
(USTRANSCOM)
Senior Information Security Officer (SISO)
Request for Information Number: TRANSCOM-25-D014
Proposal Due Date: October 17th, 2025 at 10:00 AM CT
Request for Information Response
SUBMITTED TO:
TCAQ-DS Mailbox at [email protected]
SUBMITTED BY:
Company Name: Trust Consulting Services
Address: 1250 Connecticut Ave NW,
Washington, DC
Phone: 202-888-4567
Fax: 202-888-1305
Web: tcsservices.net
UEI: RCAAJWT92AF6
Point of Contact
CAGE: 7GU61
James Radford
NAICS: 541519
President/CEO – Trust Consulting Services
Socio Economic Status: SB, 8a, SDVOSB,
Phone: 202-888-4567
SDB
Email: [email protected]
GSA Schedule Number: 47QSWA20D000Y
Cover Letter
Table of Contents
Table of Contents............................................................................................................................ii
1. Industry Questions (NTE 5 pages)...............................................................................................I
1.1 Company Information................................................................................................................I
1.2 Business Size..............................................................................................................................I
1.3 Industry Insight...........................................................................................................................I
1.4 Innovative Approaches to Enhance SISO Requirement Efficiency........................................III
2. Chief Information Security........................................................................................................VI
3. Technical Capability Virtual Meetings.......................................................................................X
Any suggestions or recommendations...........................................................................................XI
1. In your experience, what has worked well for other comments or commercial entities?
Organizations that successfully support DoD cybersecurity initiatives especially those following
the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and Zero Trust principles have achieved the best
outcomes by combining integrated governance, ongoing collaboration, and automation-based
oversight. A major factor in their success has been incorporating cybersecurity governance
directly into everyday operational processes instead of treating it as a separate compliance task.
Companies that developed advanced RMF workflows utilizing eMASS automation, vulnerability
Furthermore, the use of data-driven reporting and metrics has proven highly valuable.
Organizations that standardized cyber risk indicators such as Key Risk Indicators, RMF control
maturity scores, and vulnerability remediation timelines were better able to show accountability
and continuous improvement to senior leaders and oversight entities.
Another major challenge is balancing mission execution with security compliance. The need for
continuous monitoring, vulnerability management, and control validation can sometimes conflict
with operational requirements, especially for systems in classified or high-tempo mission
settings. Leading contractors have addressed this by adopting risk-based prioritization
approaches that align remediation efforts with the criticality of the mission and acceptable
operational risk levels.
Incorporating Zero Trust principles into hybrid environments adds further complexity. The
combination of on-premises infrastructure, commercial cloud services, and legacy systems
demands significant engineering coordination and governance alignment to ensure
interoperability while complying with the evolving DoD Zero Trust architecture guidelines.
Additionally, maintaining personnel continuity and securing a specialized workforce remain
persistent challenges. Hiring and retaining cleared professionals skilled in RMF, Security
Control Assessor Representative (SCAR) roles, and secure software engineering is difficult in a
competitive job market. Successful organizations tackle this through structured knowledge
management, cross-training initiatives, and proactive succession planning to preserve
institutional knowledge and sustain consistent performance.
Across the Department of Defense (DoD) and federal cybersecurity landscape, agencies have
increasingly adopted innovative acquisition strategies and flexible contracting mechanisms
to accelerate delivery, improve mission alignment, and promote competition among both
traditional and non-traditional contractors. Several successful programs have leveraged Agile
and modular acquisition approaches to enable rapid capability development and deployment.
Rather than using long acquisition cycles, agencies have implemented incremental task order
structures under Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) and Blanket Purchase Agreement
(BPA) frameworks. This structure allows for iterative delivery, early validation of cybersecurity
solutions, and the ability to pivot as mission or threat landscapes evolve.
Contracting vehicles such as Alliant 2, GSA MAS, CIO-SP3, and DoD-specific IDIQs (e.g.,
JETS 2.0, AAMAC, and EITaaS) have proven particularly effective. These vehicles provide
flexible ordering capabilities, streamlined evaluation procedures, and access to prequalified
vendors with proven technical maturity. Multi-award IDIQs have supported rapid procurement of
specialized expertise in cybersecurity, Zero Trust engineering, and Risk Management
Framework (RMF) compliance.
Agencies have also adopted performance-based contracting strategies, shifting the focus from
level-of-effort to outcome-driven results. This model ties contractor performance to measurable
metrics such as ATO approval timelines, vulnerability reduction rates, and cyber hygiene scores.
Performance-based incentives have motivated contractors to employ automation, analytics, and
AI-enabled monitoring tools to meet or exceed service-level objectives.
RFI No: TRANSCOM-25-D014 Due Date: Oct 17th, 2025 Page III
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or quotation.
Senior Information Security Officer (SISO)
United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)
Response to RFI
AI and ML-powered analytics can automate the detection of risks, correlation of anomalies,
and prioritization of vulnerabilities throughout USTRANSCOM’s mixed environment. These
tools enable predictive threat modeling that spots potential control weaknesses before they
become exploitable. ML-based solutions can also continuously improve RMF control scoring
and automatically create risk dashboards, greatly cutting down manual assessment time and
enhancing situational awareness for the Authorizing Official (AO) and Security Control
Assessors (SCAs).
2. Implementing Zero Trust–Aligned Security Orchestration and Automation
Integrating Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms can
streamline continuous monitoring, incident response, and compliance validation. These
solutions can automate vulnerability remediation workflows, synchronize IAVM tracking
with CMRS dashboards, and orchestrate cross-domain data correlation in alignment with
DoD Zero Trust architecture pillars—Identity, Device, Network, Application, and Data.
3. Deploying RMF-as-Code and DevSecOps Integration
Embedding RMF controls directly into the software development lifecycle through “RMF-as-
Code” techniques ensures security controls are automatically tested and validated during
build and deployment. Integrating with containerized CI/CD pipelines allows for automated
generation of compliance evidence within eMASS, enhancing audit readiness and
significantly shortening Authorization to Operate (ATO) timelines.
4. Enhancing Cyber Readiness through Data Visualization and Advanced Analytics
Utilizing advanced data visualization tools (e.g., Qlik, Power BI, or Tableau) and analytics
frameworks such as Databricks can support dynamic Key Risk Indicator (KRI) and Key
Performance Indicator (KPI) dashboards. These dashboards provide leadership with real-time
insights into cyber posture, RMF control maturity, and vulnerability trends, facilitating data-
driven decision-making and resource prioritization.
5. Utilizing Blockchain for Data Integrity and Configuration Assurance
Blockchain-based ledger technology can provide immutable audit trails for configuration
changes, vulnerability reports, and security authorizations. Such an approach enhances
transparency and non-repudiation within configuration and change management processes,
particularly for systems with multiple contributors or distributed environments.
By thoughtfully adopting these advanced technologies and methods, the Government can boost
cyber resilience, shorten RMF processing times, enhance cross-domain data accuracy, and
establish a more proactive and adaptable cybersecurity stance supporting USTRANSCOM’s
mission to maintain secure and dependable global mobility operations.
Process Improvements
Recommendations for streamlining or optimizing current processes to improve outcomes.
To enhance efficiency and consistency in the Senior Information Security Officer (SISO)
program, process improvements should emphasize standardization, automation, and proactive
coordination. One important area to address is simplifying the Risk Management Framework
(RMF) documentation and review processes. By automating parts of RMF data entry, validation,
and reporting through integration with tools like eMASS and CMRS, manual work can be
minimized, redundant tasks eliminated, and the accuracy of authorization packages improved.
This allows Security Control Assessor Representatives (SCARs) and Authorizing Officials
(AOs) to concentrate on assessing risk and mission impact instead of administrative duties,
RFI No: TRANSCOM-25-D014 Due Date: Oct 17th, 2025 Page IV
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or quotation.
Senior Information Security Officer (SISO)
United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)
Response to RFI
thereby speeding up Authority to Operate (ATO) approvals.
Another opportunity for improvement lies in unifying performance monitoring and reporting.
Creating integrated dashboards that combine continuous monitoring results, vulnerability
management information, and key performance indicators would offer real-time insights into
system health and compliance. This would enhance decision-making and enable the SISO to
allocate resources more efficiently based on actionable data. Furthermore, developing
standardized communication procedures and centralized knowledge repositories would boost
collaboration among USTRANSCOM, its component commands, and external partners, ensuring
consistent implementation and traceability across all cybersecurity activities.
Best Practices
Insights into industry best practices that could be applied to this effort.
The following industry best practices can be applied to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency
of the Senior Information Security Officer (SISO) requirement:
Adopt Continuous Authorization (cATO) Principles: Transition from static, periodic
RMF authorizations to continuous authorization models that leverage automation and real-
time monitoring to maintain security posture awareness and compliance across systems.
Integrate Security into DevSecOps Pipelines: Embed RMF and security controls directly
into software development lifecycles through CI/CD pipelines to ensure that compliance and
security validation occur continuously rather than post-deployment.
Leverage Data-Driven Decision-Making: Utilize dashboards and advanced analytics to
visualize cybersecurity metrics, trends, and key risk indicators, enabling leadership to make
informed, proactive decisions.
Implement Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA): Align network and application security
controls with DoD Zero Trust principles—verifying every user, device, and connection
before granting access—to enhance defense-in-depth and minimize lateral threats.
Automate Vulnerability and Configuration Management: Deploy Security Orchestration,
Automation, and Response (SOAR) tools and automated scanning to accelerate remediation
timelines and reduce manual dependency.
Establish Centralized Knowledge Management: Create a digital repository for RMF
templates, policies, lessons learned, and audit artifacts to ensure consistency, accelerate
onboarding, and preserve institutional knowledge.
Promote Workforce Development and Certification Maintenance: Invest in continuous
training, cross-certification, and cybersecurity skill advancement to maintain a workforce
aligned with DoD 8140 and emerging technology standards.
Apply Risk-Based Prioritization: Focus mitigation and resource allocation based on
mission impact and threat criticality rather than solely on technical severity, ensuring optimal
operational resilience.
Enhance Collaboration through Governance Alignment: Foster routine coordination
among SISO staff, component commands, and system owners to synchronize compliance
activities, share intelligence, and align cybersecurity priorities.
RFI No: TRANSCOM-25-D014 Due Date: Oct 17th, 2025 Page V
Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal
s
or quotation.
Senior Information Security Officer (SISO)
United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)
Response to RFI
These practices collectively strengthen governance, streamline compliance, and support a
proactive, resilient cybersecurity posture consistent with DoD and USTRANSCOM operational
standards.
Potential Risks and Mitigations
Identification of potential risks associated with innovative approaches and strategies to mitigate them.
Introducing innovative technologies and modernization efforts within the SISO framework
brings both technical and operational risks that require careful planning, governance, and gradual
implementation to manage effectively. One risk involves the complexity of integrating AI/ML-
based analytics, Zero Trust tools, or RMF automation into existing legacy systems and hybrid
environments. To address this, a phased rollout should be adopted starting with pilot projects in
controlled settings to test interoperability, then progressively expanding to full enterprise
deployment.
Close collaboration with USTRANSCOM’s Configuration Control Board and following DoD
DevSecOps guidelines will help ensure system alignment and stability .Another concern is the
quality and reliability of data used in automated risk scoring and continuous monitoring.
Inaccurate or incomplete data could produce misleading risk signals. To mitigate this, strong data
validation processes, regular audits of data sources, and cross-checking between automated and
manual evaluations should be implemented to maintain trust in the system’s outputs.
There is also a cybersecurity risk associated with adopting new tools and cloud-native solutions,
which may create additional attack surfaces. To minimize this risk, all new technologies must
undergo security testing and authorization before deployment, comply with relevant DISA
STIGs, and be operated under least-privilege and zero-trust security models. We also perceive
that workforce adaptation poses a risk as new technologies require advanced skills and changes
in procedures. This can be managed through focused training programs, change management
strategies, and structured knowledge transfer to ensure staff are prepared to effectively operate
and maintain the new capabilities.
2. Chief Information Security
Capabilities: Generally, describe your company’s abilities and interest in fulfilling USTRANSCOM’s
SISO requirement. Specifically address the information in subparagraphs 1-6 below.
1. Experience with instructions, standards, and public laws supporting works such as, DoD
Instruction 8500.01, Cybersecurity; DoD Instruction 8510.01, Risk Management Framework for
DoD Systems; DoDI 8551.01, Ports, Protocols, Services Management (PPSM); DoD Cloud
Security Playbook, DoD Software Modernization Strategy, DoD DevSecOps, Security Technical
Implementation Guides (STIGs), Federal Information Security Management/Modernization Act
(FISMA), Clinger Cohen Act, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Committee
on National Security Systems (CNSS), National Security Agency, etc.
Trust Consulting Services possesses extensive experience applying and adhering to key
cybersecurity and information assurance frameworks, including DoDI 8500.01, 8510.01, and
RFI No: TRANSCOM-25-D014 Due Date: Oct 17th, 2025 Page VI
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s
or quotation.
Senior Information Security Officer (SISO)
United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)
Response to RFI
8551.01, as well as the DoD Cloud Security Playbook, DoD Software Modernization
Strategy, and DevSecOps reference architectures. Our personnel routinely implement NIST
SP 800-series controls, CNSS policies, and DISA STIG compliance in alignment with the
Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) and the Clinger-Cohen Act.
Trust’s teams have successfully executed RMF-based authorizations, PPSM reviews, and secure
software assurance activities under multiple DoD programs ensuring all cybersecurity solutions
meet or exceed DoD, NSA, and NIST standards for confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
2. Experience with security requirements, testing, assessment and validation procedures, and best
practices applicable to physical, virtual, and cloud (Infrastructure as a Service [IaaS], Platform
as a Service [PaaS], Software as a Service [SaaS]) based environments to include host-based
security devices (i.e., Intrusion Prevention Systems [IPS], Intrusion Detection Systems [IDS],
firewall, proxy servers, sensors, switches, routers, hubs) and their role in moving packets
securely from source to destination.
Trust Consulting Services possesses deep experience implementing and managing security
requirements, testing, and validation across physical, virtual, and cloud-based environments
(IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS). Our cybersecurity engineers and assessors have conducted RMF control
testing, vulnerability scanning, penetration assessments, and compliance validation within both
on-premises and hybrid DoD infrastructures. This includes the deployment and optimization of
host-based security systems (HBSS), Intrusion Prevention and Detection Systems (IPS/IDS),
firewalls, proxy servers, routers, and network sensors to ensure secure and compliant data
transmission. Trust’s teams routinely perform configuration auditing, boundary protection, and
continuous monitoring activities to validate that systems maintain Defense-in-Depth and Zero
Trust principles, effectively safeguarding data in transit and at rest across classified and
unclassified environments.
3. Experience with information technology and software engineering principles, concepts, and
techniques including software languages, design concepts, test methods, and integration
practices to include security implications and methodologies within centralized and decentralized
environments across the enterprise’s computer systems in software development.
Trust Consulting Services brings proven expertise in information technology and secure software
engineering, grounded in a deep understanding of system design, coding standards, and
integration across enterprise-level centralized and decentralized environments. Our engineers
apply modern software development principles including secure architecture design, modular
coding, automated testing, and CI/CD integration to deliver resilient and compliant solutions. We
leverage multiple programming languages such as Python, Java, C#, and JavaScript, alongside
DevSecOps practices, to embed security at every phase of the development lifecycle.
This capability has been successfully demonstrated under Trust’s support to the Defense
Logistics Agency (DLA) Cybersecurity Contract, where our team provided secure software
RFI No: TRANSCOM-25-D014 Due Date: Oct 17th, 2025 Page VII
Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal
s
or quotation.
Senior Information Security Officer (SISO)
United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)
Response to RFI
engineering and documentation aligned with DoD cyber and mission assurance standards. In that
effort, Trust implemented code scanning, risk mitigation, and compliance automation practices
consistent with NIST SP 800-218 and DISA STIGs, ensuring software and systems achieved
authorization without delays. These same disciplined practices and frameworks will be applied to
the SISO requirement to maintain compliance, enhance cyber resilience, and ensure
interoperability across DoD networks.
4. Experience with Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service (eMASS) system with emphasis
on leveraging automation and completing routine SCAR tasks (e.g., control Independent
Verification and Validation (IV&V).
Trust Consulting Services has substantial experience utilizing the Enterprise Mission Assurance
Support Service (eMASS) to manage, document, and monitor Risk Management Framework
(RMF) activities in support of DoD cybersecurity programs. Our team routinely performs
Security Control Assessor Representative (SCAR) functions within eMASS, including the
Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) of security controls, package triage, and artifact
review to ensure compliance with DoDI 8510.01 and NIST SP 800-53 requirements.
Leveraging automation capabilities within eMASS, Trust streamlines recurring tasks such as
control assessments, POA&M updates, and metrics reporting, reducing administrative effort
while improving accuracy and timeliness. During performance on the Defense Logistics Agency
(DLA) Cybersecurity Contract, our cybersecurity analysts used eMASS workflows to coordinate
ATO packages, validate inherited controls, and generate automated compliance reports, enabling
efficient collaboration with Authorizing Officials (AOs) and Information System Security
Managers (ISSMs). This hands-on experience demonstrates Trust’s ability to employ eMASS as
both a compliance and operational risk management tool, ensuring continuous authorization and
mission assurance for DoD systems.
5. Experience with performing risk analysis based upon program offices security artifacts that
assess the technical and functional adequacy of cyber security and information assurance while
maintaining a strong emphasis on meeting government authorization package timelines.
6. Experience with the implementation and validation of DoD ZT capabilities, activities, and
desired outcomes. Provide any information on identifying and integrating solutions to meet the
associated ZT outcomes.
7. Provide the following project or contract information for requirements deemed similar to this
effort or capabilities described above:
Description of Project