What is CMMC Compliance?

What is CMMC Compliance?

CMMC, an acronym for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, is a robust framework developed by the United States Department of Defense (DoD). The primary objective behind CMMC's creation is to significantly enhance the cybersecurity practices and controls of organizations within the defense industrial base (DIB). The DIB comprises contractors, suppliers, and service providers who work with the DoD and handle sensitive information, making them prime targets for cyberattacks.

The CMMC mandates that contractors and suppliers protect sensitive information and uphold robust cybersecurity. It enhances existing standards and practices, such as NIST SP 800-171 and NIST SP 800-53, and introduces a tiered certification model with three cybersecurity compliance maturity levels.

Who Needs CMMC Compliance Certification?

CMMC certification is for organizations that work alongside the Department of Defense (DoD). An organization with non-classified DoD certification needs a CMMC security clearance of level 1 or none. If the organization operates with high-value information, it will likely need a CMMC security clearance of Level 2 or higher.

Different CMMC Security Certification Levels

Initially, there were 5 CMMC certification levels: Level 1, the most basic, and Level 5, the most advanced. However, in CMMC 2.0, the security levels have been revised. There are now three current levels of CMMC certification for any business that wants to work as a federal contractor.

• Level 1 (Foundational) : Level 1 of CMMC security certification is a must-have for all companies, specifically for DoD vendors that handle federal contract information (FCI). It involves funds, a fundamental security system, password hygiene, and antivirus protection software. This level has 17 CMMC compliance requirements.
• Level 2 (Advanced) : Level two has 110 CMMC compliance requirements. It is for vendors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The primary focus of Level 2 CMMC security certification is physical access control, cybersecurity incident response, risk management, and system integrity. Organizations with Level 2 certification are considered part of the critical infrastructure for government IT operations.
• Level 3 (Expert) : This is the highest CMMC security certification level. It follows an agile method to detect and diminish threats before they occur. It runs a streamlined audit infrastructure, identifies gaps, and fixes them simultaneously.

Level requirements within the CMMC are increasing, meaning Level 3 comprises Level 2 and Level 1 requirements. Organizations striving for Level 3 CMMC compliance will be rigorously government Contract Management Agencies.

Understanding the CMMC Compliance Requirements

The CMMC compliance requirements heavily rely on the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), precisely its SP 800-171 guidelines. These guidelines govern many critical aspects, from section 3.5 (Identification and Authentication) to chapter 3.10 (Physical Protection) and beyond.

CMMC Level 1 is to Create and Maintain:

• Access control to restrict unauthorized access to systems and data based on roles and responsibilities.
• Media protection to securely dispose of or destroy sensitive data on media.
• Awareness and training to provide cybersecurity awareness training to all employees.
• Configuration management to maintain accurate records of system configurations.
• Physical protection to protect IT infrastructure and facilities.

CMMC Level 2 is to Monitor and Control:

• Incident response plan to conduct regular incident response drills and exercises.
• Risk management to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities.
• Personnel security to check on employees with access to sensitive information
• System and communications protection.

CMMC Level 3 is to Implement and Maintain:

• Robust security framework
• Strong Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• Proactive Threat Detection and Response
• Comprehensive Security Monitoring

Get Started with CMMC Certification

Getting started with CMMC certification is easy and involves crucial 7 steps. Here are those seven steps:

• Determine the CMMC level you want to apply.
• Identify the scope of compliance that needs to be addressed.
• Determine the additional IT resources necessary to achieve compliance, such as personnel, tools, and processes.
• Develop a technical design for your CMMC cybersecurity architecture.
• Select a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) for a CMMC audit.
• Gather and organize all required documentation, including policies, procedures, and evidence of compliance.
• Complete and submit the CMMC assessment.