In today’s world of heightened cybercrime activity, reaching compliance for SaaS is an integral step toward winning new business. Clients expect the organizations they partner with to take their security seriously. That’s especially true for SaaS brands trying to earn lucrative government contracts.
To partner with the Department of Defense (DoD), you’ll need to meet its strict cybersecurity standards — collectively called The Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMMC) framework. You can learn about the revamped CMMC 2.0 timeline here. Or, read on to find out if your company should pursue CMMC certification.
Who Has To Be CMMC Compliant?
Your company needs to be CMMC compliant before it can become a contractor or subcontractor to the DoD. The agency will only work with SaaS providers that meet one of three levels of compliance.
That means the bigger question than who needs CMMC compliance could be which level you need. This depends on the type of work you want to do with the DoD. The more sensitive the data you’ll be handling, the higher level of CMMC compliance you’ll need to do it.
Here’s a brief overview of each level and its requirements:
- Level 1: This foundational CMMC level incorporates 15 requirements companies can meet through self-assessment.
- Level 2: This medium level requires more stringent security documentation and third-party assessments. You’ll need to meet 110 requirements to reach level 2 and will be cleared to handle controlled unclassified information (CUI) once you do.
- Level 3: This is the highest level of CMMC certification, reserved for companies entrusted with the most sensitive government data. It has 134 requirements, including continuous monitoring, advanced testing, and incident response exercises.
Who Needs Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification?
A company must earn CMMC certification before working with the DoD. It clears the business to handle sensitive government data. Note that CMMC requirements differ from FedRAMP. They feature three levels with increasingly strict security controls. FEDRAMP is a more general government security program focused on operations in the cloud.
The key takeaway is that you don’t need CMMC to work with other parts of the U.S. government. Each agency sets its own standards for cybersecurity, which dictate the frameworks partner vendors need to follow.
That being said, becoming CMMC compliant is a great way to show your company takes cybersecurity seriously. Even if you don’t need it today, pursuing CMMC compliance could still help you earn valuable government contracts.
Doing so also prepares you to work with the DoD in the future if the opportunity arises. The process for Level 3 CMMC certification can take several years to complete. So, it’s worth starting early if you can imagine future interest in winning DoD contracts.
Who Needs CMMC Level 1?
Any company that wants to work with the DoD must begin that process by passing CMMC Level 1. This is the easiest to achieve in the DoD’s updated CMMC 2.0 compliance framework.
Once you pass Level 1, your business can start bidding on DoD contracts. It may also be able to work as a subcontractor for another company that has won a DoD contract.
However, the opportunities available to companies certified at this level are relatively small. You’ll need to reach Level 3 to qualify for all of the jobs the DoD makes available to companies in your industry.
What Is a CMMC Registered Provider Organization?
Achieving CMMC compliance can be a difficult, lengthy process. That’s why CMMC-registered provider organizations exist. They guide companies through the certification journey by helping them find and fix security problem areas.
For example, you might run a small business with just a few employees. That would leave you little time to pursue advanced security designations like CMMC. A registered provider can help you get there without disrupting your schedule.
If you’re interested in CMMC for small businesses, the next step is comparing options. You can research providers online and book consultation meetings to see which registered provider is the right fit for your goals and preferences.
Does Your Company Need CMMC Compliance?
Earning CMMC compliance is a must if you ever want to work with the Department of Defense. But even if you’re unsure, it may still be worth pursuing.
This certification is a great way to show other potential clients that you take their security seriously. You might even market your company on that basis to stand out from the competition. This is likely to become increasingly valuable as the cost of cyberattacks continues to climb. It’s a strategy worth considering as you continue evaluating what companies need CMMC compliance.
Trava Security can help you get there. We’re a CMMC-registered provider organization that can take compliance off your plate. But don’t just take our word for it. Book an intro call to learn more about who we are and how we can help.