Latest News

What we’re talking about

Developmental Test and Evaluation
Product Testing News

Developmental Test and Evaluation for Defense Products

What is Developmental Test and Evaluation? Developmental Test & Evaluation (DT&E) refers to testing performed on components and subsystems designed for use on U.S. defense platforms.  This testing is conducted at various stages in the development and acquisition process to verify that the product meets specified levels of performance. DT&E is normally conducted by the

Read More »
itar export compliance
Export Compliance News

ITAR Export Compliance Regulations for Defense Products

ITAR  Export Compliance Regulations International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Export Compliance regulations control the export of articles that are developed for defense-related applications.  This includes items that are designed for military systems or intended for a military purpose.   The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), which is part of the Department of State, administers

Read More »
EMC Test Plans
Product Testing News

EMC Test Plans, A Requirement for Proper Testing

EMI/EMC Test Plans EMI/EMC Test Plans are important in preparing for your trip to the lab.  The test plan should communicate all relevant information about testing requirements and the nature of the system to be tested.  This will allow the test laboratory to sufficiently assess the requirements needed to complete testing.  These requirements include: size

Read More »
Quality Management System Documentation
Quality News

Quality Management System Documentation Creation

ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management System Requirements Proper documentation is the cornerstone of ISO 9001:2015.  Creating a system of documentation that is appropriate to your company’s requirements is crucial.  This is because the documentation defines the manner in which it will conduct business.  Paying attention to the design of your Quality Management System (QMS) at

Read More »
ISO 27001 Prevents Cyberattacks
Cyber Security

ISO 27001 Prevents Cyberattacks – ISMS for Data Security

ISO 27001 Prevents Cyberattacks Implementing an ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS) prevents cyberattacks.  The Ponemon Institute in a 2017 study found that a typical firm experiences 130 security breaches each year.  Mitigating these breaches requires more than advanced IT practices, it requires a dedicated management system.  ISO/IEC 27001 is such a system.  It

Read More »
Product test standards
Product Testing News

Product Test Standards and Specifications

Using Product Test Standards to Develop a Test and Evaluation Program There is a seemingly endless amount of product test standards and specifications.   These documents set criteria for compliance, provide guidance for evaluation, and sometimes assist in the development of analysis and test programs of both consumer products and military products.  They are all constantly evolving

Read More »
susceptibility emi emc testing
Quality News

Corrective Actions – Make them Work For You

Corrective Actions Provide Opportunities for Improvement Corrective Actions are excellent opportunities for process improvement and increasing profitability.   It is necessary however, to implement a process to these control corrective actions.  This is often perceived by some as being a cumbersome, unnecessarily complicated, and time consuming process.  However, a properly constructed Quality Management System can ensure

Read More »
Export Restrictions on Cambodia
Export Compliance News

Export Restrictions on Cambodia Increase in 2022

ITAR Restricts Export to Cambodia The Department of State has amended the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to apply export restrictions on Cambodia.  The United States will now deny licenses and other approvals to export and import defense articles and services to Cambodia.  These restrictions, which became effective December 9, 2021 reflect a new

Read More »
DoD Announces CMMC 2.0
Cyber Security

DoD Announces CMMC 2.0 to Ease Requirements

In an effort to ease requirements for the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), the Department of Defense (DoD) has announced CMMC 2.0.  This new version of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program will pare down the scope and requirements placed on the Defense Industrial Base. Initial CMMC Cybersecurity Requirements Daunting CMMC was created

Read More »
Using the tailoring process in MIL-STD-810
Product Testing News

Using the Tailoring Process in MIL-STD-810

The Evolution of the Tailoring Process in MIL-STD-810 MIL-STD-810 Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests is a standard for environmental developmental test and evaluation.  Its purpose is to provide guidance for the development of analysis and test criteria to evaluate materiel, identify deficiencies and defects, and demonstrate compliance.  The tailoring process develops valid test criteria

Read More »
Voluntary Self Disclosure
Export Compliance News

Voluntary Self Disclosure and Export Regulations

What is a Voluntary Self-Disclosure A Voluntary Self-Disclosure (VSD) is conducted when an organization recognizes that violations or suspected violations of Export Regulations of the United States have occurred.  This disclosure can reflect the organization’s due diligence in detecting, and correcting these violation.  When conducting a voluntary self disclosure to the federal government the following

Read More »
spyware a growing concern for businesses
Cyber Security

Spyware a Growing Concern for Businesses

According to a number of leaders in cybersecurity, spyware is becoming an issue of growing concern for businesses.  Malwarebytes, in its 2021 report, Malwarebytes 2021 State of Malware Report, observed that business spyware detections increased 51% in 2020.  These spyware infections can be found on both computers and mobile devices. What is Spyware? Spyware is

Read More »
test and evaluation for robustness
Product Testing News

Test and Evaluation for Robustness

Test and Evaluation for Robustness Test and Evaluation for robustness of a product is an involved process.  For electrical and electronic equipment an evolution of design engineering evaluation has been required to meet acceptable failure rates for fielded product.  Instituting these test methodologies requires looking beyond a test to pass approach. Robustness in Military Applications

Read More »
technical data and export law
Cyber Security

Technical Data and Export Law – Canada and the U.S.

Technical Data and Export Law Understanding what technical data is and how it pertains to export law is important for companies doing business in the U.S. and Canada.  Both countries have different requirements and regulations controlling how technical data is stored and transferred.  Additionally, these regulations are subject to change. What is Technical Data? Definitions

Read More »
iso-9001 business management
Quality News

ISO 9001 Business Management Beyond Quality

ISO 9001 provides tools for business management beyond the scope of product quality.  Incorporating these tools can help an organization effectively and consistently manage specific issues and requirements strategically.  Furthermore, because ISO 9001:2015 requires involvement from top management and relevant stakeholders, it ensures that these issues will be addressed comprehensively.  Context of the Organization “Context

Read More »
CMMC Under Review
Cyber Security

CMMC Under Review Before Final Release

CMMC Under Review by DoD The DoD is finalizing changed to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program (CMMC) in an attempt to sufficiently address national security requirements without overburdening the defense industrial sector.  According to an article recently published at the Federal News Network, these changes are to be released soon as a finalized plan

Read More »