CMMC Compliance: What You Need to Know

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program is crucial for companies within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) seeking to secure contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD). To help businesses stay compliant, it is essential to understand the program’s requirements, the changes made with CMMC 2.0, and how to best prepare for certification.

What Is CMMC Compliance?

CMMC compliance refers to meeting the cybersecurity standards outlined by the DoD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program. The program’s purpose is to protect federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI) by establishing a cybersecurity standard for all DoD contractors to follow.

Understanding CMMC Compliance Levels

CMMC 2.0 simplifies the original framework by reducing the certification levels from five to three. Each level has specific security requirements:

• Level 1 (Foundational): Annual self-assessments and C-level affirmation.
• Level 2 (Advanced): Divided into prioritized and non-prioritized acquisitions. Prioritized acquisitions require independent assessments, while non-prioritized ones rely on self-assessment.
• Level 3 (Expert): Assessed triennially by government officials for high-security requirements.

CMMC Compliance Checklist

To achieve CMMC compliance, organizations must adhere to various cybersecurity practices. Here’s a basic checklist to get started:

1. Identify the information you maintain: Determine if your company handles FCI or CUI and how this information flows throughout your organization.
2. Map your infrastructure: Create a data flow diagram to track data movement and an infrastructure diagram to outline systems, users, and services involved.
3. Assess security vulnerabilities: Conduct a thorough security assessment to identify potential risks.
4. Perform a NIST 800-171 assessment: Align your systems with NIST 800-171 guidelines, as these form the basis for CMMC Levels 1 and 2.
5. Develop a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M): Outline steps to address vulnerabilities and non-compliance issues.
6. Review and update policies and procedures: Ensure that all policies align with CMMC standards and that practices are well-documented.
7. Schedule an Assessment: Engage a CMMC Third Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) to perform a CMMC assessment if required.

CMMC 2.0 and Its Impact

CMMC 2.0 was introduced in November 2021 to streamline the certification process and reduce costs, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Key updates include:

• Alignment with NIST Standards: CMMC 2.0 aligns Levels 1 and 2 with NIST 800-171 and Level 3 with NIST 800-172, removing CMMC-specific requirements.
• Simplified Compliance Levels: The new model has reduced the original five levels to three.
• Flexible Compliance Options: Non-prioritized acquisitions allow for self-assessments, while prioritized acquisitions require third-party assessments.

These changes aim to simplify the process and reduce costs for businesses while maintaining strict security standards. CMMC requirements become effective on December 16, 2024 and are expected to be included in new contracts in 2025. Third-party CMMC assessments can begin once the requirements become effective on December 16, 2024.

Preparing for CMMC Compliance

The DoD plans to fully implement CMMC by 2025, and failure to meet these requirements will impede a contractor’s ability to compete for DoD contracts. With this in mind, preparing for CMMC compliance is essential. Here’s how PROCAS ensures cybersecurity readiness:

PROCAS and CMMC

At PROCAS, we take cybersecurity seriously. We expanded the scope of our annual SOC 2 Type 2 audits to include CMMC requirements, implementing enhancements to our policies, procedures, and processes to stay compliant. This proactive approach ensures that our environment will meet CMMC standards.

As a third-party provider of accounting software for government contractors, we believe in holding ourselves to the same cybersecurity standards as our clients. By continually assessing and updating our protocols to align with NIST and DoD guidelines, we help our clients maintain compliance and compete successfully for DoD contracts.

CMMC compliance is a fundamental requirement for companies seeking to engage in defense contracts. With CMMC 2.0 simplifying the framework and aligning with existing standards, organizations must proactively prepare to meet these requirements. By following a CMMC compliance checklist, understanding the certification levels, and aligning policies with the latest standards, businesses can secure their position in the DIB.

Ready to learn more? Schedule a demo of PROCAS today to see how our platform can support your journey to CMMC compliance.