The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification framework is now required of organizations who collaborate with the Department of Defense (DoD). Inputs from the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and Department of Defense (DoD) stakeholders are included in this recently constructed framework, along with maturity processes and cybersecurity best practices from several cybersecurity standards, frameworks, and other references. In this essay, we’ll define CMMC and discuss effective ways for you to abide with the new regulations.
Through a convoluted supply chain, the Department of Defense (DoD) collaborates with businesses in the private sector to support DoD activities. According to DoD statistics, 300,000 businesses provide services to this Defense Industrial Base (DIB). These businesses support DoD systems, networks, installations, capabilities, and services through research, engineering, development, procurement, manufacture, delivery, maintenance, and operations.
It has long been acknowledged that theft of intellectual property and sensitive data from American industrial sectors poses a severe threat to national security. Malicious cyber activities cost the American economy between $57 billion and $109 billion in 2016, according to the Council of Economic Advisors. It is possible that this number has risen throughout the subsequent years. An important target for malevolent cyber attackers has been the DIB industry. Thefts of intellectual property and private information from DoD suppliers and contractors probably account for a sizable portion of the overall damage to the American economy.
The DoD is establishing a number of security and resilience rules inside the DIB sector to combat this. The objective is to strengthen the security of two categories of unclassified information in collaboration with the DIB supply chain:
- Federal Contract Information (FCI): information that was produced for the government under contract but was not meant to be made public.
- Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI): information that has to be protected or distributed under restrictions in accordance with laws, rules, and governmentwide policies; this excludes any information that is classified by an Executive order or another rule.
A framework and certification known as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) have been developed to encourage the adoption of the best practises necessary to safeguard these two types of unclassified information in the DIB supply chain. All businesses that want to provide services to the DoD must install and pass an outside CMMC evaluation. Defense Industrial Base (DIB) businesses will undergo assessments, and authorised and accredited CMMC Third Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) will grant CMMC certificates at the proper level.
When supplying contractors with Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), the DoD will outline the degree of certification that is necessary. To meet those standards, the majority of firms will seek certification at either Level 1 or Level 3. Every company that wants to bid for and provide services within the DIB ecosystem will need to be CMMC certified at the appropriate level for the services they provide over the following several years as the framework develops and is accepted. These certificates should be valid for three (3) years before needing to be reassessed.
CMMC certification will be required if you intend to keep your DoD supply chain contracts or if you plan to work in the DIB industry. All businesses should already be implementing the kinds of cybersecurity, infosec, and information governance best practises that are recommended by the framework. However, the upcoming implementation of CMMC certification is an ideal time to examine processes, and the framework offers a comprehensive checklist that companies may utilise to promote quick maturity in this area.
You can seek assistance from cybersecurity experts who can assist you in evaluating your organization’s current level of preparedness. They will also provide advice on any gaps that need to be filled, determine when you are ready to schedule your CMMC assessment, and determine what certification level your organisation should aim for.