The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is a framework developed by the United States Department of Defense. CMMC is designed to enhance contractor and vendor cybersecurity practices and protect what’s known as Controlled Unclassified Information, or CUI.
Such information can be almost anything, from in-depth technical documents to images of simple components used by military vehicles. This means that any small business that works with the DOD is likely subject to CMMC.
Not sure if you’re compliant, or need to be? Let’s look at what it takes.
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CMMC: Optional or Essential?
CMMC compliance is required to successfully bid on any DOD contract. These contracts are subject to strict regulatory oversight under the Federal Acquisition Regulation and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. Contracted companies are also subject to ongoing reporting and auditing processes to ensure compliance.
What Are the Key Requirements of CMMC?
As of Dec. 16, 2024, the Final Rule for CMMC 2.0 went into effect. This newer version of CMMC reduces the five-level structure of the original program to three Levels:
Level 1: Basic Safeguarding of CUI
Level 2: Broad Protection of CUI
Level 3: Higher-Level Protection of CUI
To obtain CMMC certification, small businesses must satisfy multiple requirements, including:
- SMBs must identify the scope of their covered environment.
- Businesses need to conduct a security and gap assessment to prepare for certification.
- Companies need to select a CMMC third-party assessor organization, known as a C3PAO, to carry out an in-depth assessment.
- SMBs must create a system security plan that details how CUI will be stored, transmitted and used.
- Organizations must implement controls and policies to limit potential risk. The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Special Publication 807.171 offers guidelines and is a good place to start.
The certification process can take up to 24 months, but once businesses are certified, they are covered for three years.
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What Are the Benefits of Meeting CMMC Requirements?
Achieving CMMC compliance offers several benefits for SMBs.
The first is access to DOD contracts, which now constitutes a significant market. Next is a competitive business advantage, because the robust cybersecurity practices required by CMMC can help SMBs establish partnerships with larger enterprises in the DOD contract pipeline.
CMMC certification also enhances and reduces overall security risk, in turn boosting business credibility, and can improve operational efficiency thanks to better security and reporting practices.
READ MORE: What startup company leaders need to know about compliance.
How to Overcome Common Challenges in SMB Compliance
For small and midsized businesses, limited IT resources can create barriers to CMMC compliance. Six strategies can help SMBs streamline the process.
- Understand your required level. Required compliance levels differ across DOD contracts. For example, if you’re bidding on a Level 1 contract, you can conduct security self-assessments. Level 2 contracts require a C3PAO assessment.
- Conduct an assessment. Before you can make compliance changes, you need to identify gaps in your current security posture with a cybersecurity maturity assessment. Common issues include access controls, data protection and incident response.
- Implement basic cybersecurity. Start with a foundation of strong passwords, multifactor authentication and employee cybersecurity training.
- Leverage managed security services. Managed security service providers can provide on-demand, cost-effective access to security expertise and advice.
- Document your policies and practices. Collect and compile all of your security policies and practices, and carry out regular reviews and updates to ensure compliance.
- Continually monitor and improve. Cybersecurity isn’t static. Regular monitoring keeps your business prepared to meet new threats and adapt to CMMC changes.
The bottom line? For any SMB considering defense contracts, CMMC is critical — and the sooner you get started, the better.
This article is part of BizTech’s AgilITy blog series.
