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Cybersecurity Maturity Model
Certification

Accelerate Your Business Growth With Our Compliance Plan for CMMC

With advancements in technology, the importance of cybersecurity has grown significantly. It has become not only a priority for many companies but also a necessity for consumers.

The cybersecurity risk is higher in government contracting, where sensitive information is involved. Such information comes with legal and ethical responsibility as it is critical to maintaining national security. It is currently protected with the help of cybersecurity maturity model certification. Protected information in this context falls into two main categories:

Federal Contract Information (FCI)

This refers to the information not meant for public release, created by contractors to fulfill government contracts. Information such as the necessary specifications for developing or delivering government products or services would fall here. Naturally, publically available information such as data on government websites and routine transactional data wouldn’t be protected here.

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

This is a more sensitive category, as such data goes a level above, and requires special handling due to legal, regulatory, or policy mandates. Specifically, information generated or owned by the government or on behalf of the government by a contractor would come here. CUI requires additional safeguards to prevent unauthorized access and to ensure compliance with applicable laws or policies.

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What is CMMC?

Designed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) protects sensitive information in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Introduced in 2020, CMMC 1.0 featured five maturity levels and mandated third-party audits across all levels. In 2021, CMMC 2.0 reduced the number of maturity levels to three. It also allowed self-assessments for Level 1 and aligned more directly with established standards.

CMMC 2.0 addressed the need for simplifying compliance and made it more accessible to businesses. Small contracts which came under level 1, benefit from the option of self-assessments. It maintained the balance between flexibility and stringent cybersecurity measures.

Additionally, CMMC 2.0 aligned itself with NIST SP 800-171 and NIST SP 800-172, which form the foundation of its security requirements. They define the requirements for protecting CUI such as access control and incident response.

The Objective of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification

CMMC’s goal is to ensure DoD that contractors are complying with the necessary cybersecurity requirements. It is also meant to monitor acquisition programs and systems that process CUI.

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Domains

The CMMC model has 14 domains that align with the families specified in NIST SP 800-171. They ensure that contractors implement cybersecurity measures and safeguard sensitive government information. The domains and their abbreviations are as follows:

  • Access Control (AC)
  • Audit & Accountability (AU)
  • Identification & Authentication (IA)
  • Maintenance (MA)
  • Personnel Security (PS)
  • Risk Assessment (RA)
  • System and Communications Protection (SC)
  • Awareness & Training (AT)
  • Configuration Management (CM)
  • Incident Response (IR)
  • Media Protection (MP)
  • Physical Protection (PE)
  • Security Assessment (CA)
  • System and Information Integrity (SI)

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Levels

Level 1

  1. This focuses on Federal Contract Information (FCI) requirements as outlined in FAR Clause 52.204-21.
  2. Since this level is required for contractors handling FCI, they’re allowed to conduct self-assessment.
  3. Its requirements include 17 controls across 6 domains, mainly the foundational practices like access control and personnel security.

Level 2

  1. Contractors at this level handle CUI, Controlled Technical Information (CTI), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) data, or export-controlled information.
  2. Incorporates the security requirements outlined in NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2, under DFARS Clause 252.204-7012 are included in level 2.
  3. Being a higher level, contractors require third-party assessment by certified assessors.
  4. Furthermore, it requires 110 controls organized into 15 domains, which include advanced measures like incident response and risk assessment.

Level 3

  1. This is the highest level of cybersecurity capability required from contractors. They need to implement all controls mentioned in NIST SP 800-171 and additional advanced practices from NIST SP 800-172.
  2. This certification is required for high-security operations critical to national defense. Hence, government officials conduct the assessment.
  3. It requires 130 controls spanning 16 domains, focusing on comprehensive safeguards against advanced persistent threats (APTs).

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Guide

Initial Assessment

An initial assessment is essential as it involves a thorough evaluation of your current cybersecurity practices. Furthermore, it helps in identifying gaps and vulnerabilities in your current cybersecurity measures.

Develop a Compliance Plan

A step-by-step process is key in addressing cybersecurity shortcomings while developing a compliance plan. To ensure the plan comes to fruition, setting clear milestones that are measurable and manageable is helpful.

Implement Cybersecurity Controls

As the plan progresses, deploy the necessary security measures, tools, and protocols. Then, based on the desired CMMC level, align controls accordingly.

Conclusion:

Considering the complexity of establishing cybersecurity protocols for CMMC, contacting a cybersecurity advisory service could be faster. While complex, going up the levels of CMMC can help open up your business to new opportunities.

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Certification

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FAQs

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification

  • Toggle Title

    It is a framework developed by the U.S. DoD to ensure contractors and subcontractors meet specific cybersecurity standards. It is critical for protecting sensitive data within the defense supply chain.

  • Who needs CMMC certification?

    Any organization that handles CUI or provides services to the DoD must achieve CMMC compliance.

  • How many levels does CMMC have?

    It includes three levels of certification, each with progressively stringent security requirements.

  • What is the timeline for achieving compliance?

    The timeline depends on your current cybersecurity posture and the level of certification required. An initial assessment and action plan can provide a clearer estimate. Contact a cybersecurity advisory service to have it prepared by an expert.

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