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 organization that will have access to controlled unclassified information (CUI).
While CMMC will not be fully implemented until October 1, 2025, it makes sense to get started on your compliance journey as soon as possible. Not only will it take time to prepare your IT environment, processes, and employees – achieving a higher security standard will also open the doors to lucrative new contracts. However, for that to happen, you will need to get certified by a CMMC auditor accredited by the CMMC accreditation body (CMMC AB).
What is the CMMC AB?
The CMMC accreditation body was created to oversee compliance across the entire Defense Industrial Base. Founded in January 2020, the CMMC-AB is a nonprofit organization that has two main goals: to connect businesses seeking a CMMC certification with qualified assessors, and to authorize third-party assessor organizations (C3PAOs) to carry out CMMC audits. The DoD is currently working on a statement that will authorize the CMMC AB to work entirely on their behalf, rather than relying on memorandums of understanding (MOUs) signed between the DoD and their contractors.
How to prepare for a CMMC auditor
Once CMMC has been fully implemented in 2025, any organizations that are still uncertified will be locked out of all DoD contracts. 2025 might still seem like a long way off, but achieving a high level of security maturity is also a major task. Even the CMMC-AB itself is scheduled to take two years to become fully compliant with the ISO 17011 standard, which CMMC is partly aligned with. However, even despite the reasonable deadline, it also makes sense to start the CMMC journey early on to open the door for new contracts and enhance business resilience.
That being said, you should avoid approaching a CMMC auditor before you are ready or before you are contractually obligated to. Failing an audit can be extremely costly, so it makes sense to take every possible preparation beforehand. The obvious starting point is to hire a provider who can carry out an external vulnerability scan to expose any potential weak points in your network. This will give you a chance to remediate before any serious issues occur, and it will help you choose the right security tools to increase your chances of a successful audit.
Finally, once you have resolved any existing vulnerabilities, you should consider having your IT provider carry out a mock CMMC audit to determine which maturity level you are currently able to meet. Ideally, you should achieve the third level at minimum, since this is a requirement for any organization handling controlled unclassified information (CUI). However, aiming for a higher level can help you win new business. Nonetheless, since CMMC is a new framework, the assessment methods for levels four and five are still in development.
Choosing the right CMMC partner
Most companies on their journeys towards CMMC compliance will not be dealing much with the CMMC AB. Instead, they will be dealing with a C3PAO accredited by the CMMC AB to run CMMC audits. Therefore, choosing the right C3PAO is a critical element of your ability to bid on and maintain DoD contracts going forward.
Although all C3PAOs have been approved by the CMMC-AB, this does not mean you should work with just any organization. You should thoroughly evaluate the CMMC-AB Marketplace to find a partner who has the right expertise in your industry. You may also want to consider partnering with organizations that have been licensed by the CMMC AB training program to deliver security awareness and compliance training to your team. Finally, any CMMC partner you decide to work with should have at least one registered CMMC practitioner on their teams.
Charles IT can help you prepare for your CMMC accreditation with cutting-edge tech solutions and dependable advice. Get in touch today to find out more!