CMMC Compliance Levels Explained
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a certification program developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).It contains cybersecurity measures that contractors handling controlled unclassified information (CUI) should adopt to prevent cyber threats.
The certification process can be done with the help of SkyriverIT, a San Diego IT consulting company. Our professionals can help you meet all the needed criteria.
In this article, we will explain what CMMC Compliance is, its levels, and what best practices your company should follow to meet the DoD's criteria.
What is CMMC Compliance?
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification(CMMC) is a framework developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure that contractors and other third-party organizations handling sensitive government information adopt adequate cybersecurity measures. CMMC is the latest version of the framework, which was released in January 2021.
CMMC Compliance Levels Explained
The CMMC consists of three compliance levels, each of which has its own set of requirements for protecting sensitive government information. These levels are designed to be flexible and scalable, allowing organizations to achieve certification at a level appropriate for the type and sensitivity of the information they handle.
Level 1: Foundational
Level 1 of the CMMC is the lowest level of compliance and requires organizations to have basic cybersecurity measures in place. This includes implementing simple processes in an ad-hoc manner to protect against common cyber threats, such as using anti-virus software and regular software updates.
Level 2: Advanced
Level 2 of the CMMC requires a higher level of cybersecurity hygiene. Companies must also document their processes. This level involves limiting access to sensitive information to authorized personnel and regularly monitoring network activity for signs of intrusions. Organizations at this level are also expected to have more advanced security controls, such as encryption and multi-factor authentication.
Level 3: Expert
Level 3 is the highest level of CMMC 2.0.Companies at this level should have continuous monitoring and incident response teams. Moreover, these organizations are expected to have more robust security controls, such as access control and threat intelligence. These best practices aim to protect controlled unclassified information (CUI).
CMMC Compliance Checklist
Access Control: Implementing strict access controls to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive information. Some measures include multi-factor authentication, role-based access, and least privilege principles.
Asset Management: Keeping track of all assets, including hardware, software, and data, and ensuring they are properly secured and maintained. Companies should include regular vulnerability scans, software updates, and backups.
Auditing: Needing to maintain in-depth and secure logs on access to any CUI data.
Incident Response: Developing and implementing a plan for handling cybersecurity incidents, including incident response procedures, incident reporting, and incident recovery.
Security Awareness and Training: Ensuring all employees area ware of cybersecurity risks and how to protect against them through regular training, education, and awareness campaigns.
Continuous Monitoring: Monitor and assess the organization's cybersecurity posture to promptly identify and address vulnerabilities and threats. Perform security audits, penetration testing, logs, and other security-related data monitoring.
Please keep in mind that this is only a general list of security controls that organizations should consider implementing. It's essential to remember that the assessor determines the specific controls required for each level during the assessment process.
The Bottom Line
CMMC is a framework developed by the US Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure that contractors and other third-party organizations handling potentially sensitive or classified information adopt adequate cybersecurity practices.
If you are looking to acquire a CMMC certification for your company, contact us at Skyriver IT to help with the process. Let our dedicated professionals help you sail through the certification process with ease.
FAQs
How many compliance levels are in CMMC?
The CMMC consists of three compliance levels, each of which has its own set of requirements for protecting sensitive government information.
Who needs to comply with CMMC?
Organizations that handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) that is not subject to another regulation or standard (such as NIST SP 800-171) must comply with CMMC
How can an organization achieve CMMC certification?
Organizations must undergo a certification assessment by a third-party assessment organization (C3PAO) and comply with their desired certification level requirements.
What are the benefits of CMMC certification?
CMMC certification demonstrates that an organization has adequate cybersecurity measures in place to protect sensitive government information, which can improve the organization's ability to compete for government contracts and contracts with DoD suppliers.
