Exploring Compliance Requirements With a Comprehensive CMMC Overview

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a framework designed to ensure that organizations meet the required cybersecurity standards for their industry. Developed by the United States Department of Defense (DoD), CMMC outlines specific security requirements and provides a certification process for federal contractors.

Keep reading to explore the history of CMMC and its components and discover what businesses need to know regarding compliance and version 2.0 updates.

What Is CMMC Compliance?

Information compliance is essential for protecting the organization’s information systems and processes. The Department of Defense (DoD) has a set of standards called CMMC (Cyber Mission Management Capability) that require organizations to maintain an effective cybersecurity program to safeguard sensitive information from cyberthreats. Though the DoD does not prescribe a specific set of controls, they outline the minimum requirements needed to comply with the CMMC framework.

By following these requirements, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to protecting sensitive data and improving the overall security posture of their organization. The CMMC framework comprises five different levels (1-5) based on the maturity level of a company’s cybersecurity program, from basic cyber hygiene practices (Level 1) up to advanced data protection strategies (Level 5).

Each level also includes specific requirements related to personnel security, asset management, incident response, and access control. The CMMC framework is relevant to many sectors besides military organizations and government contractors since it is widely used in the private sector. Most public companies have started implementing some elements of CMMC regarding organizational governance and cyber risk management.

The History of CMMC Compliance

The DoD first developed its CMMC program in January 2020 as part of its continuous effort to strengthen cyber protections for government data systems. In April 2020, DoD issued a directive to all contractors requiring them to comply with the new standards within one year. The new standards went into effect in October 2020 and replaced the previous self-attestation system used by government contractors. Government contractors had until October 2021 to achieve CMMC certification.

Since then, the DoD has released several updates to their rulemaking process. These include Version 2.0 in February 2021, which made changes to certain areas (e.g., incident detection and handling and threat modeling) as well as added new security controls for domains (e.g., media protection and system and communications protection) that were not present in the original version of the model.

Replacing NIST 800-171 With CMMC Requirements

NIST developed a framework known as NIST 800-171. It was a set of 14 security requirement families covering access control, incident response, and system maintenance. The program was designed to ensure the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of data and systems. Organizations were responsible for implementing these security requirements to protect their data.

Under NIST SP 800-171 contractors could self-attest if they complied with the ruleset without official approval. With the changes introduced to CMMC 2.0, defense contractors now need to complete a third-party assessment to verify their security measures are effective and up to date. The new model is a continuous engagement that requires repeated evaluation and revision.

CMMC compliance can feel like a distraction from your core competencies. Lupa Advisors guide you from point A to point B in all matters of security controls and requirements so you can pass your assessment with flying colors and get back to what you do best.

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What Is CMMC Version 2.0?

CMMC 2.0 is the latest version of the (CMMC) framework created by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). It provides detailed requirements that organizations must meet to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) stored and processed on government systems. The CMMC 2.0 framework was designed to ensure that all contractors handling government data can be trusted with sensitive information.

Though CMMC has been around since 2020, its version 2.0 updates bring new requirements and clarifications that contractors must consider when preparing for an audit or certification process. Organizations need to note these changes to best prepare for their level of compliance and remain secure against a range of cyberthreats.

What Does the CMMC Update Include?

The CMMC 2.0 update includes the introduction of 17 new capabilities, additional guidance and scoring for each maturity level, and a clarification of the assessment process in line with NIST 800-171B. Additionally, the update has shifted some requirements from one level to another to better align with NIST 800-171B and other regulations. All these changes aim to provide more accurate results that reflect better security practices.

The Importance of CMMC Compliance to Contractors

Cybersecurity is a vital aspect of the CMMC program, as it helps to ensure that government contractors and their CUI are protected against security threats. The importance of robust security cannot be overstated, as malicious actors often target government information systems looking to access sensitive and confidential data. This includes personnel records and military intelligence to classified documents and state secrets.

To defend against these attacks, the CMMC provides guidelines and standards for safeguarding information systems and physical locations against malicious intrusion techniques, including:

Network reconnaissance
Malware infection
Remote code execution
Privilege escalation
And more

Organizations can better protect their systems against perpetrators by following proper guidelines and standards.

Obtain and Maintain Compliance With the Lupa Advisors

Finding out how to approach CMMC compliance is tricky. There are many requirements, and figuring out where to start can feel daunting. The professionals at Lupa Advisors have been in your shoes. We’ve successfully built, grown, and sold highly complex defense contracting businesses and know what an organization needs to remain compliant. We increase your appeal to entities seeking contractors by ensuring you have the technology and controls to meet CMMC requirements.

When you collaborate with our experts, you learn how to parse CMMC and pursue the solutions you need to reach that perfect 110 SPRS score. Whether you’re looking to keep a current contract, secure a new one, or position your organization for sale, we’re here to assist you.

Exploring Compliance Requirements With a Comprehensive CMMC Overview

What Is CMMC Compliance?

The History of CMMC Compliance

Replacing NIST 800-171 With CMMC Requirements

What Is CMMC Version 2.0?

What Does the CMMC Update Include?

The Importance of CMMC Compliance to Contractors

Obtain and Maintain Compliance With the Lupa Advisors

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