In today’s age of technological advancement, defense contractors face ever increasing pressure to keep sensitive data and projects safe from new and evolving cybersecurity threats. Technological innovations such as AI and machine learning have not only helped everyday people increase productivity, they’ve also made it easier for hackers and even foreign adversaries to carry out sophisticated cyberattacks targeting the American defense industry.
To address these escalating threats, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has developed its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), giving all defense contractors and subcontractors operating under the DoD a set of cybersecurity standards to ensure that sensitive and confidential information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
As a leading cybersecurity consultant for defense contractors, ITque understands just how vital CMMC compliance is to organizations doing business with the federal government under DoD.
Today, we’ll break down exactly what the requirements of CMMC are, how to achieve them, and discuss why working alongside a CMMC compliance consultant is your best option for a successful adoption of this crucial cybersecurity standard.
Understanding CMMC: What It Is and Why It Matters
The Department of Defense relies on a vast network of manufacturers and suppliers to produce innumerable components and products required to meet the demands of defending the nation. This crucial supply chain of companies is known as the defense industrial base (DIB).
In the past, defense contractors were essentially left on their own to implement cybersecurity internally, with few guidelines. But in November 2020, the DoD implemented CMMC 1.0, introducing a tiered framework of cybersecurity best practices that all contractors working under the DoD must be in compliance with to ensure the security of sensitive information within the DIB.
Under its current version CMMC 2.0, there are three distinct levels of cybersecurity maturity. Dependent on their specific role, companies doing business under DIB must have at least one or all of these security levels:
Level 1 – Foundational
Level 1 includes 15 basic cybersecurity best practices outlined under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.204-21 that companies handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) must comply with.
FCI is defined by the DoD as “information not intended for public release, that is provided by or generated for the Government under a contract to deliver a product or service to the Government…”.
This level of CMMC certification does not require documentation, but an annual self-assessment is required to remain in compliance.
Level 2 – Advanced
Level 2 CMMC maturity is designed for organizations that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
CUI is defined as “information the Government creates or possesses, or that an entity creates or possesses for or on behalf of the Government, that a law, regulation, or Government-wide policy requires or permits an agency to handle using safeguarding or dissemination controls”.
Level 2 security requirements are aligned with the 110 security practices outlined in NIST SP 800-171, offering a more comprehensive set of cybersecurity practices.
To achieve Level 2 CMMC maturity, organizations must formally document their processes. In addition, organizations handling data that is critical to national security must pass a high-level third-party assessment known as a C3PAO, once every 3 years. Those that do not handle information deemed critical to national security can complete a self assessment every three years.
Level 3 – Expert
The highest tier of CMMC compliance, level 3 is reserved for contractors handling CUI on projects deemed high-priority by the DoD.
Level 3 CMMC compliance is designed to reduce vulnerability to advanced persistent threats (APTs). Organizations are required to create and maintain plans to manage advanced cybersecurity practices outlined in NIST SP 800-171’s 110 controls, along with a subset of NIST SP 800-172 controls.
Gaining compliance at this level requires a government-facilitated assessment.
Why is CMMC Certification Important?
Because of the sensitive nature of work done by businesses in the defense industrial base and the increasing frequency and complexity of cyber attacks, the DoD mandates compliance with at least some level of CMMC as a basis for bidding on and receiving contracts.
The exact level of compliance needed is based on the importance of the information being handled, making understanding each of these levels crucial for securing future business opportunities.
By gaining compliance with these various levels of CMMC, your organization can demonstrate to the DoD that you prioritize cybersecurity and are prepared to protect sensitive information and the integrity of the defense supply chain.
How a CMMC Compliance Consultant Can Prepare Your Business for Your Next Defense Contract
Now that we understand what the DoD demands from an organization, and why CMMC compliance is critical, we can uncover the benefits of working with a CMMC compliance consultant.
Navigating the complexities of CMMC is a significant undertaking – particularly for organizations whose expertise lies outside of cybersecurity.
Working alongside a knowledgeable CMMC certification consultant offers significant benefits such as:
- Expert Guidance – Consultants possess in-depth knowledge of the CMMC framework and can interpret how the specific requirements of each level apply to your organization. As the CMMC landscape evolves, they can keep you abreast of the latest developments needed to gain – and remain – in compliance.
- Identification of the CMMC Compliance Level Needed – A CMMC certification consultant will help your organization understand the requirements of each level, and how they apply to your organization and the types of contracts you seek
- Gap Assessment – A CMMC compliance audit consultant can assess your existing cybersecurity policies and procedures to identify shortcomings and work with you to develop a customized roadmap of the work that needs to be done before compliance can be achieved.
- Assistance with Documentation – Achieving Level 2 and 3 CMMC compliance requires extensive documentation of your security protocols. A CMMC compliance audit consultant will assist in the creation of these vital documents, and ensure you are prepared for the audit.
- Provide Employee Training – A CMMC compliance consultant is vital in developing an effective training program to prepare employees for their responsibilities in maintaining a secure environment under CMMC requirements.
- Provide On-Going Support – CMMC compliance requires assessments ranging in frequency from annually to every three years. Much can change in the world of cybersecurity in that time, and the assistance of a cybersecurity compliance consultant is essential to staying up to date and maintaining compliance.
Why ITque is Your Ideal CMMC Certification and Compliance Consultant
Gaining CMMC compliance means gaining the trust of the Department of Defense, and a clear dedication to protecting information relevant to national security.
Partnering with ITque as your experienced cybersecurity compliance consultant means you gain the benefit of our years of experience and won’t have to navigate the complexities of the CMMC landscape alone.
ITque’s deep experience in CMMC streamlines the entire process for our clients, and assures you are well prepared to meet the exacting standards of the DoD.
We employ a Zero Trust approach to our cybersecurity compliance consulting to set you up with the best possible defense against cyberattacks. That means “never trust, always verify” for any access request.
Here’s what that means in real talk:
- We begin with a thorough CMMC compliance audit consultancy to gain a baseline of your CMMC compliance readiness.
- We conduct in-depth interviews with stakeholders to understand the effectiveness of your current cybersecurity practices.
- We conduct a gap analysis to identify weaknesses in your security practices, and where we should focus our efforts for improvement.
- A detailed plan of action is created, including timelines, to bring your organization up to speed.
- Our CMMC compliance services include recommendations for the most effective security solutions, products, policies, procedures, and controls for your specific level of CMMC compliance.
- We help you implement these improvements, as well as train your relevant staff members, providing constant 24/7/365 management.
- We don’t just help you gain compliance, we help you remain in compliance with quarterly reviews and documentation. Everything you need to stay compliant and accountable with the DoD.
Secure Your Future with ITque’s CMMC Compliance Consulting
If your company wishes to thrive as a vital part of the defense industrial base, you must take cybersecurity seriously. Gaining CMMC compliance shows the Department of Defense that you can be trusted to handle sensitive information, and thus qualify for significant government contracts.
But you don’t have to navigate the maze of CMMC compliance alone. Partnering with a CMMC compliance consultant like ITque offers a clear and strategic path to achieving certification and reaching your business goals.
ITque is ready to prepare your organization for CMMC certification and position you as a trusted partner in the defense industrial base.
Ready to take the next step? Contact ITque today to discuss our CMMC certification consulting programs today, and let ITque help you navigate the path to certification with confidence.