Home | Solutions | Regulatory Compliance | Enterprise GRC Solution for Information Export Control
In today’s global defense and high-tech industries, protecting sensitive information is inseparable from maintaining compliance. Regulations like ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and EAR (Export Administration Regulations) govern how organizations transfer technical data and defense-related technologies, both inside and outside the U.S. But as supply chains expand and digital collaboration becomes the norm, meeting these requirements is more complex than ever. Companies must safeguard data not only in physical shipments but also across emails, shared drives, and cloud systems—without slowing down innovation.
Many aerospace, defense, and industrial companies already rely on SAP GRC Global Trade Services (GTS) to manage export compliance for physical products. But while GTS can handle shipments of tangible goods under export licenses, it doesn’t cover the digital side of compliance—where technical data, CAD files, and design documents flow constantly across distributed teams.
Why Traditional Security Falls Short
Perimeter defenses and application-based access controls are no longer enough. Firewalls and passwords can block unauthorized outsiders—but they can’t stop sensitive data from being copied, forwarded, or stored in unauthorized locations once accessed. Document Management System (DMS) and Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems also fall short when it comes to flexibility and real-time enforcement. These solutions lack comprehensive visibility, scalability, and enforcement, leaving gaps in protecting ITAR/EAR-controlled technical data in distributed, multi-party environments.
What’s needed is a unified, intelligent approach that can enforce security policies at the point of use—wherever data travels and however it’s used.
A Policy-Based Approach Solution
The NextLabs eGRC platform introduces a policy-based control framework that directly enforces export control rules like ITAR and EAR at every data interaction point. These policies are defined in business terms and automatically translated into system-level controls that follow the data across networks, devices, and even offline environments.
Powered by Active Control Policy Language (ACPL) and Smart Deployment™, the platform allows administrators to update export control policies without code changes or downtime. This agility means compliance teams can respond immediately to new regulations or operational requirements—without interrupting productivity.
By integrating identity management, the solution ensures access decisions are made dynamically based on user role, clearance level, location, and other attributes, creating a truly context aware Zero Trust environment. Automation of access control can effectively avoid conflict of interest and improper disclosure of technical data during export control, which was a daunting task for industries like Aerospace and Defense, and High Tech.
Integration with SAP GRC Global Trade Services
NextLabs enhances SAP GRC Global Trade Services by enabling it to track and control digital exports alongside physical shipments.
- Links digital data transfers to corresponding export licenses and Technical Assistance Agreements (TAAs).
- Provides visibility into technical data exchanges that occur through digital channels.
- Automates license verification and policy enforcement to ensure that digital exports meet regulatory conditions.
This integration gives enterprises a comprehensive view of export compliance, bridging the gap between trade management and information security.
Scenarios to Protect ITAR Technical Data
The NextLabs solution enforces compliance in complex operational environments:
- Controlling Access by Non-U.S. Persons: Restricts viewing or handling of ITAR-controlled data based on nationality or clearance level.
- Managing Mixed-Use Environments: Segregates ITAR and commercial project data within the same system, preventing cross-contamination.
- Tracking Technical Data Exports: Automates compliance with TAAs and monitors transfers of export-controlled technical data.
- Collaboration with Partners: Applies fine-grained policies for sharing controlled data with approved external collaborators.
- Protecting Data Mobility: Extends enforcement to mobile devices and remote access, ensuring secure data handling outside corporate boundaries.
Solution Benefits for Export Control Compliance
- Minimize Disclosure Risk – Real-time enforcement reduces violations and protects national security.
- Demonstrate Compliance – Comprehensive auditing and reporting simplify investigations and prove control.
- Economize Multi-Use Environments – Securely share infrastructure between commercial and ITAR projects.
- Educate Users – Automated warnings and enforcement promote policy awareness and prevent errors.
For more details on the real-world scenarios and implementation of the solution, read the full white paper.
