The Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program: Explained

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a framework developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to enhance the cybersecurity posture of organizations in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). It establishes a structured system of cybersecurity requirements and maturity levels that contractors and suppliers must adhere to in order to qualify for DoD contracts. CMMC certification ranges from basic cybersecurity hygiene to advanced practices, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and enhancing the overall security and resilience of the defense supply chain?

The primary goal of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program is to bolster the cybersecurity resilience of organizations within the United States Defense Industrial Base (DIB).? This is accomplished by protecting Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) that is shared with United States Department of Defense (DoD) contractors and subcontractors through acquisition programs.??

CMMC is largely based on NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-171, “Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations.” Published in February 2020, this document provides agencies with recommended security requirements for protecting the confidentiality of CUI.? Unfortunately, prior to the existence of a certification program, the DoD found that contractors were falsely claiming to fully uphold all the NIST 800-171 standards. This led the DoD to develop a certification process to ensure that contractors were compliant with a basic set of cybersecurity controls, resulting in the CMMC.??

In an era marked by escalating cyber threats and potential breaches of sensitive defense-related information, the CMMC acts as a proactive strategy to safeguard national security interests. It seeks to ensure that DIB organizations uphold a consistent, verifiable, and adaptive level of cybersecurity across their supply chains. The model's multi-tiered approach, ranging from basic cybersecurity hygiene to advanced practices, addresses the dynamic nature of cyber risks and encourages a continuous improvement mindset.?

Through mandatory certification, the CMMC mitigates vulnerabilities, reduces the likelihood of cyberattacks, and safeguards sensitive data, intellectual property, and critical infrastructure. Furthermore, it fosters a culture of cybersecurity awareness, driving organizations to implement effective risk management, incident response, and cyber resilience strategies.??

CMMC 1.0?

The first version of the CMMC was published by the DoD on January 31, 2020. This initial version outlined the framework's structure, requirements, and objectives for enhancing the cybersecurity posture of organizations within the DIB. CMMC 1.0 consisted of a set of cybersecurity requirements organized into five maturity levels, ranging from "Basic Cybersecurity Hygiene" to "Advanced/Progressive." Each level corresponded to specific practices and processes that organizations must implement and demonstrate to achieve certification. The practices covered various aspects of cybersecurity, including access control, incident response, risk management, security training, and more.??

CMMC 2.0?

In March 2021, the DoD initiated an internal assessment of CMMC 1.0 implementation. This assessment came following an interim rule the DoD published in September 2020 to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) in the Federal Register, which implemented the DoD’s initial vision for the CMMC program (CMMC 1.0) and outlined the basic features of the framework. The interim rule became effective on November 30, 2020, establishing a five-year phase-in period. The assessment also came after CMMC 1.0 received criticism?from small and midsize businesses (SMBs) over the complexity of the framework and its associated compliance costs. SMB owners became increasingly concerned that the costs?associated?with becoming certified would eventually force them out of the DIB.?

This assessment of CMMC led cybersecurity and acquisition leaders within the DoD to refine policy and program implementation, eventually resulting in CMMC 2.0 which updates the program structure and requirements. CMMC 2.0 streamlines requirements from five levels to three levels of cybersecurity and aligns the requirements at each level with well-known and widely accepted NIST cybersecurity standards.?

About CMMC?

The key differences to CMMC 2.0 include fewer levels, self-assessments, and flexible timing. Instead of the original five levels of certification, CMMC 2.0 only has three, which are more closely aligned with existing cybersecurity standards.??

Level 2, for example, will comply with NIST SP 800-171, the guideline that governs how contractors handle regulated unclassified data. Further, self-assessments are allowed for Level 1 and Level 2 certifications. This will save many, if not all, contractors the time and cost of conducting a third-party evaluation. However, it will also increase the risk for contractors who wrongfully certify their compliance. Contractors can be certified even if they do not satisfy all the standards provided, given they have a clear strategy for when and how they will accomplish the standards.?

Why do organizations need CMMC??

Over 300,000 members of the DIB — defense contractors, manufacturers and SMBs — must comply with CMMC. Depending on the data an organization manages or is looking to manage, they must implement the requirements of the certification level needed to either continue their current contract with the DoD or enter a new one.??

Further, implementing the CMMC can yield substantial business benefits for enterprises beyond the obvious security advantages. First, CMMC certification can significantly broaden a company's market reach. With many industries recognizing the importance of robust cybersecurity practices, holding a CMMC certification can be a valuable differentiator that attracts clients and partners beyond the defense sector. This can lead to expanded business opportunities, partnerships, and increased revenue streams.?

Additionally, CMMC implementation often translates into operational improvements. The framework encourages organizations to establish clear processes, documentation, and incident response plans. This heightened organizational clarity can streamline operations, reduce errors, and minimize downtime during incidents, in turn resulting in a more agile and competitive position in the market. In essence, CMMC serves not only as a security measure but also as a strategic business asset with the potential to drive growth and operational excellence.?

Key Takeaways?

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is a crucial initiative for companies in the DIB due to its role in bolstering cybersecurity practices, enhancing eligibility for DoD contracts, improving business reputation, and mitigating cyber risks. It positions companies to navigate the evolving cyber threat landscape while demonstrating their commitment to both national security and sound business practices.?

As a member of the NIST National Cybersecurity Excellence Partnership (NCEP) program, NextLabs helps enterprises achieve CMMC by identifying and protect sensitive CUI and FCI, monitoring and controlling access to the data, and preventing regulatory violations. To learn more about the CMMC and the NextLabs Zero Trust Data-Centric Security Suite, please read our whitepaper.??