CMMC

Organizations that work closely with the US government need to take special precautions to safeguard data that government agencies deem sensitive. One of the most common kinds of data that needs protecting is Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). And CUI Specified is some of the most tightly regulated CUI. So, what is CUI Specified, and how can you secure it?

For Department of Defense (DoD) entities and contractors, annual information awareness training is essential to minimizing information security risks to the critical infrastructure they handle. Unaddressed threats to sensitive data within critical infrastructure could significantly impact national security. Read on to learn more.

To secure Department of Defense (DoD) and other government contracts, organizations must demonstrate compliance with specific frameworks that help protect federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI), such as CMMC 2.0 and NIST SP 800-171. NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 provides a complementary framework, but it’s not mandatory like the other two. Still, SP 800-53 substantially informs and maps to SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0.

In November 2021, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) introduced major updates to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification(CMMC) program. These changes left many organizations in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) wondering: Do we still need to comply with CMMC certification requirements?

The short answer is yes, but the more important question is which Level of CMMC certification applies to your organization. The required Level depends on the type of sensitive data you handle in your current or prospective DoD contracts. Understanding this distinction is critical, as it determines the cybersecurity controls you must implement—and how soon you need to meet them.

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.

Companies need to ensure security over sensitive data to work with the Department of Defense (DoD) as a contractor or vendor.

Preparing for a CMMC Audit: What DoD Contractors Need to Know
Companies aiming for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts must demonstrate strong cybersecurity practices by achieving Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Successfully implementing CMMC leads to an official CMMC audit, which is a critical step toward earning preferred contractor status with the DoD. This guide will walk you through how to prepare effectively for a CMMC audit.

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.