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.
CMMC
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body Certifications, Explained
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.
CMMC Implementation Timeline for Small to Medium DoD Contractors
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.
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.
Working as a contractor with the US Department of Defense (DoD) can provide lucrative short- and long-term opportunities for partnering companies. But it also requires strict adherence to multiple cybersecurity frameworks. The most recent of these, which has an ongoing roll-out, is the new Cybersecurity Model Maturity Certification (CMMC) framework. This framework is presided over by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD-A&S).
The US military and its broad network of businesses and individual contractors comprise the most critical infrastructure in the entire country. Any threat to the Department of Defense (DoD) resources and information could jeopardize all Americans’ security, both domestically and abroad.