# Defense Contractors Maintain Independent Cybersecurity Assurance

Federal News Network reports that AI-enabled penetration testing can provide more frequent technical validation but cannot replace independent assessment of controlled unclassified information (CUI) boundaries, control implementation, governance, and incident response. The article says defense contractors should continue addressing DFARS 252.204-7012 and NIST SP 800-171 obligations and improve CUI and system inventories. The CMMC Phase 2 assessment suspension and reform discussion do not create a universal mandate to use AI testing. A hypothetical cost model estimates $395 for one on-demand test cycle versus about $4,200 per month for high-frequency testing, excluding labor and other costs.

- Contractors can use automated testing as one layer of security validation, while retaining independent assurance for areas it does not cover.
- Procurement and compliance teams should maintain CUI and system inventories and assess security practices against the cited DFARS and NIST requirements.
- The cited cost comparison is illustrative, not a complete cost estimate; organizations evaluating test frequency should account for labor and other excluded expenses.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** November 13, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC)
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

### Sources
- [
        AI penetration testing cannot replace independent cybersecurity assurance - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/commentary/2026/11/ai-penetration-testing-cannot-replace-independent-cybersecurity-assurance) - Federal News Network