For DoD contractors, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification or CMMC has been an ongoing topic of discussion. The Defense Industrial Base has been preparing for third-party auditors to assess the readiness of its cybersecurity networks. There are hundreds of thousands of DoD contractors, which is expected to grow, and it is clear that not every contractor interfaces with information in the same way.
CMMC came to be controversial for this reason. Many contractors argued that the expectations put forth were unfair to their business. The Department of Defense took these grievances to heart. They have updated the existing CMMC standards to accommodate better the diversity within the DIB. The new framework for cybersecurity across the DIB is now known as CMMC 2.0
Ultimately though, these changes make for more questions. First, what is a CMMC audit? Second, what do these changes mean for your business? How do you get prepared? May the answers be easier than you think?
CMMC Audits
So, what is a CMMC audit? If you’ve been in business with the DoD for a while, this concept is likely not new to you. Simply put, CMMC establishes an accreditation body of third-party auditors who are tasked with evaluating the readiness of your cybersecurity network.
Before CMMC, contractors within the DIB were allowed to self-certify the integrity of their networks. The defense department recognized this as a potential vulnerability and moved to fortify the existing standards defined in NIST 800-171 under the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. Requiring contractors to be evaluated by third-party entities protected the DIB from adversaries and made the industry safer.
Maturity Levels
The original CMMC framework had five maturity levels. While not every contractor was required to comply with every level, each contract had to meet some level of CMMC compliance. CMMC 2.0 was born because many contractors felt that the standards subjected them to undue scrutiny.
CMMC 2.0 acknowledges that not all contractors handle Classified Uncontrolled Information and High-Value assets. For this reason, CMMC 2.0 eliminates two levels of maturity and reduces them to three. Not only are the maturity levels simplified, but the accreditation requirement has been relaxed as well.
If your organization does not handle CUI or HVA, you no longer need to be evaluated by a third-party auditor. You will be allowed to self-certify the integrity of your systems as you did before CMMC’s arrival.
How to prepare?
Now is the time to assess the nature of your business and consult with a compliance management service. Your obligations under CMMC 2.0 will be determined by the kinds of information you handle. Contractors who handle CUI and HVA will still be evaluated according to their corresponding maturity levels. A third party will no longer assess firms that do not handle CUI and HVA. Contractors who are unsure about the nature of their business should contact a compliance manager. A compliance management service can assess a business and assist them with fulfilling the DoD’s expectations.
Conclusion
As Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification or CMMC is going through immense changes, you have to remember it properly. There are several aspects that you must explore regarding this for your own convenience and benefits.
