CMMC Certification Preparation Best Practices Checklist
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The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a framework established by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to enhance cybersecurity practices among defense contractors, particularly for safeguarding controlled unclassified information (CUI) and federal contract information (FCI). Unlike previous self-certification models, CMMC mandates third-party assessments to ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards, primarily based on NIST 800-171.
The CMMC framework is structured into three levels:
- Level 1 (Foundational): CMMC Level 1 requires basic cybersecurity practices for contractors handling FCI, encompassing 17 practices.
- Level 2 (Advanced): CMMC Level 2 targets organizations managing CUI, requiring a total of 110 practices, merging previous levels two and three.
- Level 3 (Expert): CMMC Level 3 involves the most stringent requirements for organizations dealing with highly sensitive data, necessitating compliance with additional NIST guidelines.
The CMMC certification process is arduous but our CMMC 2.0 compliance roadmap can help.
What’s the difference between CMMC certification vs. CMMC compliance? CMMC compliance involves adhering to cybersecurity practices outlined in the framework, while certification is the formal recognition awarded after a successful assessment by a certified third-party assessor organization (C3PAO). Certification demonstrates that an organization meets the necessary cybersecurity standards.
CMMC compliance is crucial for defense contractors, as it not only fulfills regulatory requirements but also enhances overall cybersecurity defenses. Achieving compliance strengthens an organization’s ability to protect sensitive information and maintain its position within the defense supply chain. Overall, CMMC represents a significant advancement in cybersecurity standards, emphasizing structured compliance and third-party assessments to safeguard sensitive data.
For more CMMC certification best practices and a great overview of CMMC and CMMC compliance, see our CMMC resources page.
CMMC FAQs
CMMC 2.0 is an update to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) that was initially released in January 2021. It is the Department of Defense’s (DoD) method for requiring organizations in the DoD supply chain to protect federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI) to the appropriate level determined (there are three levels in CMMC 2.0). CMMC 2.0 is a restructure of CMMC’s maturity levels by eliminating two of the original five ratings, improved assessment protocols that reduce costs for contractors, and the introduction of a more flexible path to certification through Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&Ms)
Compliance with NIST standards are levied as contractual requirements through inclusion of clauses such as FAR 52.204-21 and DFARS 252.204-7012. CMMC requirements result in a contractor self-assessment, or a third-party assessment by a CMMC Third Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO), to determine whether the applicable NIST standard (as identified by the DFARS clause) has been met. Under CMMC 2.0, a Level 2 assessment will be conducted against the NIST SP 800-171 standard and a Level 3 assessment will be based on a subset of NIST SP 800-172 requirements.
CMMC C3PAO is a CMMC Third Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) authorized and certified by the CMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB) to conduct assessments of contractors and subcontractors seeking certification to demonstrate compliance with the CMMC standard. C3PAOs are entrusted with assessing and certifying that companies in the defense industrial base (DIB) supply chain have met the cybersecurity requirements of the CMMC standard. Their responsibilities include evaluating and issuing certificates of adherence to the CMMC standard. The C3PAO must review and certify the contractor or subcontractor’s audit and self-assessment reports based on the DoD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model. The C3PAO must also be able to recommend and implement corrective actions as needed.
CMMC 2.0 applies to all third parties within the defense supply chain, including contractors, vendors, and any other contracted third parties related to the support of the department of defense (DoD). All civilian organizations that do business with the DoD must comply with CMMC2.0, based on the type of CUI and FCI that they handle and exchange. The list of entities includes:
- DoD prime contractors
- DoD subcontractors
- Suppliers at all tiers in the DIB
- DoD small business suppliers
- Commercial suppliers that process, handle, or store CUI
- Foreign suppliers
- Team members of DoD contractors that handle CUI such as IT managed service providers
According to Kiteworks, working with a CMMC Third Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) provides several benefits for organizations seeking certification under CMMC 2.0 standards:
- Expertise: A certified third-party assessor has extensive experience assessing cybersecurity programs across multiple industries and can provide valuable insight into best practices for achieving CMMC compliance.
- Objectivity: An independent third-party assessor provides unbiased feedback on an organization’s security posture that can help identify areas where improvements are needed to meet specific CMMC controls, pass a CMMC compliance audit, and achieve CMMC compliance.
- Cost Savings: Working with a certified third-party assessor can save time and money compared to hiring internal staff or consultants who may not have expertise in assessing cybersecurity programs, conducting CMMC compliance audits, or even demonstrating CMMC compliance.
- Efficiency: A certified third-party assessor can quickly identify gaps in an organization’s security posture, helping to reduce time spent preparing for CMMC compliance.
- Peace of Mind: Having an independent third-party assessor review a DoD supplier’s cybersecurity program provides peace of mind, ensuring that organizations have taken all necessary steps toward achieving CMMC compliance.