10 Things to Know About CMMC 2.0 Compliance

1. Why was CMMC 2.0 introduced?

The primary objective behind the introduction of CMMC 2.0 is to address the growing concern over the security of Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within the DoD.

2. The Three Levels of CMMC 2.0

• Level 1 (Foundational): CMMC 2.0's foundational level is for contractors who deal with Federal Contract Information (FCI). The most important thing to consider at this level is that the organization can do an annual self-assessment.
• Level 2 (Advanced): The advanced level is for organizations dealing with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The organization requires a third-party C3PAO assessment for certification for the assessment at this level.
• Level 3 (Expert): The expert level is still under development and is based on a subset of NIST SP 800-172. Here, the government performs the annual assessment in due time.

3. CMMC 2.0 Timeline & Deadlines

CMMC 2.0 was officially published in January 2024. Two months later, in March, the DoD released its implementation guide. Following this, the committee set September 2025 as the deadline for existing contracts to acquire CMMC 2.0 certification.

4. How much will it cost to implicate CMMC 2.0?

The cost of implementing CMMC 2.0 will vary depending on your organization's size and complexity. However, the DoD has estimated that the average cost of CMMC level 2 certification for small businesses will be between $15,000 and $30,000. The cost includes everything from eliminating CMMC 2.0 unique practices and maturity processes to self-assessments at certain levels.

5. The Role of DoD Contractors and Subcontractors in CMMC 2.0

DoD contractors and subcontractors play a crucial role in implementing and executing CMMC 2.0. They are directly responsible for the end-to-end security of the FCI and CUI they handle.

6. What are the non-compliance consequences of CMMC 2.0?

The consequence of CMMC level 2 non-compliance can be severe for defense contractors. The Dod can terminate contracts anytime and impose financial penalties on organizations that fail to achieve CMMC compliance. It will result in security breaches and reputational damage by failing to protect sensitive information.

7. Changes in the assessment process in CMMC 2.0

The CMMC 2.0 assessment process is changing to be more efficient and focused on practical cybersecurity measures. It aims to improve the security of the defense industrial base by aligning with established standards and providing flexibility through POA&Ms.

8. What is the flexibility level of CMMC 2.0?

Compared to its previous version, CMMC 1.0, CMMC 2.0 provides moderate flexibility. It has reduced the maturity levels, POA&Ms, alignments with other frameworks, and self-assessment. However, it has to maintain a balance between flexibility and security standards to protect sensitive information.

9. Level 2 will require a Third-party assessment

Level 2 third-party assessments in CMMC 2.0 are handled by certified third-party assessors (CPAs) to validate an organization's compliance with the CMMC requirements. While self-assessment is sufficient for Level 1 compliance, Level 2 requires an independent evaluation by a qualified assessor.

10. How can organizations get started with the CMMC 2.0?

Organizations can start preparing for CMMC 2.0 compliance by:

• Identifying the CMMC level that applies to their organization based on the contract and the types of information you handle.
• Understand the specific security controls and practices relevant to your CMMC level.
• Conduct a self-assessment of your organization's existing cybersecurity level.
• Identify security gaps and align with your CMMC target level.
• Implement security controls and invest in necessary security technologies to enhance the awareness of your in-house team.