If your organization works with government entities as a contractor, you probably have some questions about NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, or even NIST SP 800-53 compliance. Below, we’ll answer questions like what is NIST SP 800 171, how does CMMC differ from it, and what are NIST 800-53 controls? Understanding the answers to these questions covers most everything you need to know for the DoD compliance efforts necessary to secure lucrative contracts with the military and other agencies.
The Cybersecurity Model Maturity Certification (CMMC) framework protects Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) processed by Department of Defense (DoD) contractors. On November 4, 2021, the DoD announced a massive overhaul of CMMC version 1.02 and the imminent release of CMMC 2.0. The new framework is not yet publicly available, leaving many organizations with questions about how they’ll need to adjust.
If your company currently works closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) or plans to begin a lucrative partnership with the military, you will soon need to acquaint yourself with a managed security service provider (MSSP) that’s been vetted by the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body (CMMC AB). There are many such organizations and many different kinds you’ll find on the CMMC AB Marketplace.
If your organization currently works as a contractor with the Department of Defense (DoD), compliance is likely a critical component of your contract. Current Defense Federal Acquisition Register Supplement (DFARS) requirements include adherence to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171 (SP 800-171). However, your next contract will likely require CMMC implementation.
Companies need to ensure security over sensitive data to work with the Department of Defense (DoD) as a contractor or vendor.
Companies seeking out lucrative contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD) need to show their commitment to security by attaining Cybersecurity Model Maturity Certification (CMMC).
Companies seeking out lucrative Department of Defense (DoD) contracts as part of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) sector need to prepare for rigorous security verification.
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is right around the corner.
By 2025 all Department of Defense (DOD) contractors will be required to have CMMC, and you will need a certified third-party assessment organization (C3PAO) to grant certification.
Working with the US Department of Defense (DoD) is an attractive opportunity for contractors in various industries. There is honor in working with the largest, most powerful military, and achieving “preferred contractor” status can also be lucrative. That said, it’s not easy to achieve this status. You’ll need to be compliant with regulatory frameworks and keep abreast of every update published by the DoD, such as the most recent one on how to safeguard CUI or controlled unclassified information.
A CMMC gap assessment is a necessary procedure to measure an organization’s compliance when it comes to the NIST 800-171, a document covering the protection of controlled unclassified information in non-federal systems and organizations.
The effectiveness of your existing controls relating to NIST 800-171 will come under scrutiny. If your company fails to comply with government rules and regulations, the ramifications to your organization can be grave.