Meeting Federal Compliance Requirements with

Navigating the complex maze of policies within the United States federal government, particularly in defense and intelligence, poses significant challenges for IT operations. The Defense Intelligence Agency highlights the extensive breadth of policies that cybersecurity professionals must manage, often leading to conflicts and compliance difficulties. Traditionally, policy implementation has relied on manual processes, requiring expensive IT specialists who face burnout due to the growing mental load. Efforts to streamline policy management include using AI tools like Gamechanger and compliance frameworks such as FedRAMP, though these often involve substantial upfront investments and lengthy timelines. A promising development is the adoption of policy-as-code, which allows for automated policy compliance, reducing manual toil while maintaining security and compliance standards. This method leverages tools such as the Harness platform, which integrates policy management and change management processes, enabling automated and efficient DevSecOps practices. However, some manual verification remains necessary, indicating a hybrid approach that combines automation with human oversight.