If your company wants to win contracts with the US Department of Defense (DoD) or other government agencies, staying on top of cybersecurity requirements is essential. Two key frameworks you need to understand are CMMC and FedRAMP, both set standards for protecting sensitive information, but they apply in different ways. In this article, we break down CMMC vs. FedRAMP to help you navigate regulatory compliance and secure government contracts with confidence.
Regulatory Comparison: CMMC vs. FedRAMP
Government agencies are prime targets for cybercrime because they store highly sensitive information, ranging from defense data to market and geopolitical insights. If your company works with these agencies, implementing advanced security controls isn’t optional; it’s essential.
In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about CMMC vs. FedRAMP compliance, including:
- An overview of CMMC, with a deep dive into its required practices.
- A look at FedRAMP, highlighting its specific requirements.
- Practical resources to help your organization meet both frameworks and secure lucrative government contracts.
Let’s get started.
Overview of CMMC Framework
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a framework developed by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD, A&S). Its purpose is to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI) within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) sector, and it primarily applies to companies working with the Department of Defense.
CMMC is structured around five Maturity Levels, each with a specific focus. For example, Level 3 emphasizes full protection of CUI. Every level requires the implementation of multiple Practices (171 total) and the formalization of Processes to ensure cybersecurity is consistently applied. These Practices are organized into 17 Domains, each addressing specific Capabilities or security goals.
Understanding the structure of CMMC is essential when comparing it to FedRAMP, as both frameworks aim to secure sensitive data but operate in different regulatory contexts.
Breakdown of CMMC Requirements
The CMMC requirements (version 1.02) are organized into 17 domains, each with specific Capabilities and Practices. Here’s a concise overview:
- Access Control (AC): Restricts access to protected information through account and session management. Covers 4 Capabilities and 26 Practices.
- Asset Management (AM): Ensures all hardware and software are inventoried and secured. Covers 2 Capabilities and 2 Practices.
- Audit and Accountability (AU): Establishes audit schedules, logging protocols, and audit log security. Covers 4 Capabilities and 14 Practices.
- Awareness and Training (AT): Requires regular cybersecurity training for all personnel. Covers 2 Capabilities and 5 Practices.
- Configuration Management (CM): Replaces default security settings with robust configurations. Covers 2 Capabilities and 11 Practices.
- Identification and Authentication (IA): Defines user credentials and account security, building on Access Control. Covers 1 Capability and 11 Practices.
- Incident Response (IR): Outlines immediate, short-term, and long-term response plans for security incidents. Covers 5 Capabilities and 13 Practices.
- Maintenance (MA): Specifies routines and protocols for ongoing maintenance and repairs. Covers 1 Capability and 6 Practices.
- Media Protection (MP): Safeguards hardware and software containing sensitive information. Covers 4 Capabilities and 8 Practices.
- Personnel Security (PS): Integrates security measures into hiring, onboarding, movement, and termination of staff. Covers 2 Capabilities and 2 Practices.
- Physical Protection (PE): Restricts access to spaces and devices containing sensitive information. Covers 1 Capability and 6 Practices.
- Recovery (RE): Guides planning and execution to stop attacks, recover, and prevent recurrence. Covers 2 Capabilities and 4 Practices.
- Risk Management (RM): Defines the organization’s approach to risk identification, analysis, prevention, and mitigation. Covers 3 Capabilities and 12 Practices.
- Security Assessment (CA): Sets protocols for regular security assessments beyond auditing. Covers 3 Capabilities and 8 Practices.
- Situational Awareness (SA): Requires collection and mobilization of threat intelligence specific to the company’s environment. Covers 1 Capability and 3 Practices.
- Systems and Communications Protection (SC): Secures information traveling across internal and external networks. Covers 2 Capabilities and 27 Practices.
- System and Information Integrity (SI): Ensures security delivery and immediate correction of flaws. Covers 4 Capabilities and 13 Practices.
Understanding these domains is crucial when comparing CMMC vs. FedRAMP, as both frameworks aim to protect sensitive information, but with different approaches and scope.
Overview of FedRAMP Program
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a government initiative under the General Services Administration (GSA). It establishes uniform cloud security standards for all federal agencies and contractors. Unlike CMMC, FedRAMP applies to nearly all government contractors—not just those working with the Department of Defense.
Similar to CMMC, FedRAMP’s requirements are organized into 17 primary categories, called “Families”, based on the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) and OMB Circular A-130. These Families include 113 “Low Impact” controls and 170 “Moderate Impact” controls, not including additional “enhancements.”
Understanding these structures is essential when comparing CMMC vs. FedRAMP, as both frameworks aim to secure sensitive government information, but they differ in scope, applicability, and focus areas.
Breakdown of FedRAMP Requirements
According to the GSA’s FedRAMP SSP Control Guide, FedRAMP’s requirements are organized into 17 Families, each with Low and Moderate Impact controls. Many families mirror CMMC domains, allowing for a structured comparison. Here’s an overview:
- AC: Access Control – Builds on CMMC’s AC domain. Includes 11 Low Impact controls (no enhancements) and 17 Moderate Impact controls (24 enhancements).
- AT: Awareness and Training – Builds on CMMC’s AT domain. Includes 4 Low and 4 Moderate controls (no enhancements).
- AU: Audit and Accountability – Mirrors CMMC’s AU domain. Includes 10 Low and 12 Moderate controls (9 enhancements).
- CA: Certification, Accreditation, and Security Assessments – Governs compliance and security assessments. Includes 6 Low (1 enhancement) and 6 Moderate controls (2 enhancements).
- CM: Configuration Management – Builds on CMMC’s CM domain. Includes 6 Low and 9 Moderate controls (12 enhancements).
- CP: Contingency Planning – Ensures recovery and business continuity. Includes 6 Low and 9 Moderate controls (15 enhancements).
- IA: Identification and Authentication – Builds on CMMC’s IA domain. Includes 7 Low (2 enhancements) and 8 Moderate controls (10 enhancements).
- IR: Incident Response – Builds on CMMC’s IR domain. Includes 7 Low and 8 Moderate controls (4 enhancements).
- MA: Maintenance – Builds on CMMC’s MA domain. Includes 4 Low and 6 Moderate controls (6 enhancements).
- MP: Media Protection – Builds on CMMC’s MP domain. Includes 3 Low and 6 Moderate controls (5 enhancements).
- PE: Physical and Environmental Protection – Mirrors CMMC’s PE domain. Includes 11 Low and 18 Moderate controls (5 enhancements).
- PL: Planning – Governs preparation and continuous planning. Includes 4 Low and 5 Moderate controls (no enhancements).
- PS: Personnel Security – Builds on CMMC’s PS domain. Includes 8 Low and 8 Moderate controls (no enhancements).
- RA: Risk Assessment – Governs risk identification, analysis, and mitigation. Includes 4 Low and 4 Moderate controls (5 enhancements).
- SA: System and Services Acquisition – Ensures secure procurement. Includes 8 Low and 12 Moderate controls (7 enhancements).
- SC: System and Communications Protection – Builds on CMMC’s SC domain. Includes 8 Low (1 enhancement) and 24 Moderate controls (16 enhancements).
- SI: System and Information Integrity – Builds on CMMC’s SI domain. Includes 6 Low and 12 Moderate controls (9 enhancements).
Comparing these FedRAMP families with CMMC domains highlights how the two frameworks overlap and differ—key information for any organization navigating CMMC vs. FedRAMP compliance.
Compliance and Cybersecurity, Professionalized
At RSI Security, we provide customizable CMMC certification and FISMA advisory services to help companies meet all requirements for working with government agencies. Compliance for DIB and other contractors isn’t just a checkbox—it’s critical to safeguarding sensitive government data.
But compliance is only the beginning. Our team also delivers comprehensive cybersecurity solutions for organizations of all sizes and industries. Whether your focus is CMMC vs. FedRAMP, cloud security, web filtering, or full-scale cyber defense, RSI Security ensures your protections are robust and reliable.
Contact us today to learn how RSI Security can strengthen your cyber defenses and support regulatory compliance.
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