If you want to win valuable contracts from the Department of Defense, you’ll first need to reach CMMC compliance. This cybersecurity framework sets standards that every DoD contractor must meet. It has three levels with increasing requirements. Some are similar to compliance for SaaS, but there are also important differences.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the new CMMC 2.0 requirements. Keep reading to learn which standards your company may need to meet to start partnering with the DoD.
What Does the CMMC Do?
The main goal of the CMMC program is to ensure that non-federal organizations working with the DoD handle the sensitive information they process safely. It makes it possible for the Department of Defense to work with private businesses without risking security.
CMMC compliance for small businesses can be very valuable. Those that meet CMMC standards can bid on lucrative government contracts. These can be worth millions of dollars — especially if you progress past CMMC Level 1.
If you’re considering CMMC compliance, it’ll cost money to meet the government’s strict cybersecurity standards. But you may be able to bill the DoD for some of the upgrades you make when you earn your first contract.
Becoming CMMC compliant is also a good way to stand out in the private sector. It shows potential clients that you’ve made serious internal upgrades to protect their sensitive information.
What Are CMMC Compliance Requirements?
CMMC requirements are a series of cybersecurity controls an organization must follow to get clearance to work with the Department of Defense. There are three levels with different requirements:
- Level 1: 15 requirements plus annual self-assessments and affirmations
- Level 2: 110 requirements plus triennial third-party assessments, annual self-assessments, and annual affirmations
- Level 3: 110+ requirements plus triennial government-led assessments and annual affirmations
Level 2 is what most organizations will want, as it opens access to significantly more DoD opportunities than Level 1. It’s also not as pricey to pursue as Level 3.
To reach Level 2 CMMC certification, you’ll need to implement security controls across the following 15 domains:
- Access control (22 requirements)
- Audit and accountability (9)
- Awareness and training (3)
- Configuration management (9)
- Identification and authentication (11)
- Incident response (3)
- Maintenance (6)
- Media protection (9)
- Personnel security (2)
- Physical protection (6)
- Recovery (2)
- Risk management (3)
- Security assessment (4)
- Systems and communications (16)
- System and information integrity (7)
The Pentagon estimates organizations will spend between $37,000 and $49,000 on Level 2 self-assessments and affirmations. However, your costs could be lower based on your company’s current cybersecurity infrastructure.
What Are the Main CMMC Compliance Requirements in Cybersecurity?
The specific CMMC standards you need to meet will depend on the level of clearance you want. If you plan to bid on the most secretive DoD projects, you’ll need to reach Level 2 or 3. But you may still qualify for some DoD work with Level 1 clearance.
Regardless, achieving CMMC compliance typically means working on each of the following parts of cybersecurity:
- System hardening: Installing access controls, requiring multi-factor authentication, and physically protecting sensitive components
- Incident response: Creating plans and processes for identifying incidents quickly and responding to them effectively
- Documentation: Putting your organization’s cybersecurity strategies on paper and creating processes for tracking whether they’re being followed
- Personnel security: Creating policies for verifying the security of your people
- Network monitoring: Installing systems that watch your network in real time and issue alerts quickly as necessary
- Patch management: Ensuring all machines and software are routinely updated according to cybersecurity best practices
What Is NIST CMMC Compliance?
As you research CMMC compliance requirements, you’ll probably see the acronym NIST often. This refers to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It’s a government agency that creates safety guidelines in areas like cybersecurity.
The CMMC program is based on a cybersecurity framework created by the NIST. So, when you’re trying to achieve a certain level of CMMC compliance, what you’re really doing is meeting standards set by the NIST.
What Is the Difference Between NIST 800-171 and CMMC?
One of the main NIST frameworks for CMMC compliance is NIST 800-171. This document outlines the requirements for non-federal organizations wishing to handle controlled unclassified information (CUI) on their websites.
It’s easy to get into the weeds on things like the differences between NIST 800-171 and CMMC. But the only thing you really need to know is that CMMC is a certification program, and NIST 800-171 is a set of guidelines.
So, if you want to work with the DoD, you may need to complete a CMMC Level 1 checklist or Level 2 checklist. But you don’t need to worry about meeting every guideline covered in NIST 800-171 — the ones that matter are already incorporated into the CMMC compliance program.
Reach CMMC Compliance With Trava Security
Whether you’re trying to partner with the DoD or win new private sector clients, cybersecurity has never been more important. It’s a major factor most organizations consider when choosing which third parties to partner with.
That’s why CMMC compliance is often worth pursuing. If you’re ready to do it, Trava Security can help you get there. We specialize in helping companies identify and correct the security gaps currently keeping them from the certifications they want.
With our help, you can reach CMMC compliance faster. So, why wait? Book an intro call today to learn more about how we can streamline your certification process and help you save money.