Understanding where you stand is the cornerstone of any great plan! Our first task is to evaluate our existing compliance status. What's already in place, and what needs work? This step sets the direction for all future actions. Picture this as taking inventory before a big journey—knowing what you have and what you lack.
Experienced team members, be ready to pinpoint areas of strength and weakness, while rookies can learn a lot here. Potential challenges include misinterpretations of NIST 800-171 guidelines, but fear not! Resources like past audit reports and compliance manuals are at your disposal.