Foster Charles

While the controls introduced in CMMC levels 1 and 2 present the bare minimum of adequate security, the third level is where things culminate. This is also the level that most organizations should be aiming for, not least because it presents the minimum baseline security standards required for an organization to legally handle controlled unclassified information (CUI).

With 72 controls spanning all but two of the 17 domains, CMMC level 2 presents a significant step up from the first level. However, it is also widely considered to be a transitional phase in developing sufficiently robust cybersecurity standards, since most businesses will ultimately be aiming for the third level.

Businesses embarking on their CMMC journey will most likely be aiming for CMMC level three, which is the requirement for handling controlled unclassified information (CUI). However, the demands of level 3 are no easy feat to achieve, hence the importance of the two transitional steps that precede it. Of all the CMMC levels, the first is by far the least demanding, since it only consists of 17 ...

The first level of the CMMC framework is intended to serve as an introduction to further CMMC levels. While every organization will ultimately need to achieve a higher level to sign contracts with the DoD, CMMC level one is an important starting point. It is also by far the easiest level to implement, since it consists of only 17 actionable controls. By contrast, level 5, which is the highest ...

By now, most business leaders understand the importance of achieving adequate IT security standards, especially if they have contracts with the US Department of Defense. The CMMC program aims to standardize these requirements across the entire Defense Industrial Base, effectively replacing the DFARS 252.204-7012 clause.

The cybersecurity maturity model certification (CMMC) is a unified framework that is intended to regulate and enforce information security standards across the entire defense supply chain. Unlike with the previous DFARS clause, which is based on the NIST 800-171 framework, self-assessments are no longer enough. Instead, you must engage with a CMMC auditor who has been approved by the CMMC ...

The cybersecurity maturity model certification (CMMC) is a regulatory framework that governs information security throughout the entire defense industrial base (DIB). All new contracts with the DIB already specify a minimum level of security maturity that contractors must meet before they can work with the DoD. CMMC spans five levels, with the third level being the minimum required for any ...

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) was introduced to establish consistent cybersecurity standards throughout the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Every organization in the DIB must achieve a minimum level of security maturity before they can win contracts. The framework specifies five levels, with the highest typically opening the door to the most lucrative contracts. You can ...

With 171 unique security controls required to meet the highest level of CMMC compliance, it can be a monumental task to prepare your business for the latest standards mandated by the US Department of Defense.

The DFARS 252.204-7012 clause requires that all contractors and subcontractors of the US Department of Defense maintain an up-to-date system security plan (SSP). You will likely be asked to provide this plan before you can sign any contract with the DoD as evidence showing that your organization has achieved an adequate level of security. Your SSP should align with the requirements of the NIST ...