7 Ways to Prepare Your Business for CMMC Now (+ Cost & Training Info)
In November of 2020, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) rolled out the interim rule for the cybersecurity maturity model certification (CMMC). This...
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is the major new security standard that companies in the defense industrial base (DIB)—and businesses that work with those companies—need to understand. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has started rolling out requirements for defense contractors to meet some level of CMMC compliance to take on contracts where controlled unclassified information (CUI) is involved.
CMMC divides cybersecurity maturity into three distinct levels that ascend from level 1 to level 3 in order of security. However, many companies may struggle to meet the CMMC certification level that they need to in order to keep working on lucrative government contracts.
To help with this, many companies are turning to managed security service providers (MSSPs). However, not every MSSP is a CMMC-registered practitioner with the training, tools, and skills to help meet CMMC compliance requirements.
What is a CMMC-registered practitioner? What are the benefits of working with one? Why does CMMC compliance matter?
A CMMC-registered practitioner (abbreviated CMMC RP) is someone who assists organizations in meeting CMMC compliance requirements. The CMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB) states that a CMMC RP “delivers a non-certified advisory service informed by base training on the CMMC standard.”
This does not mean that their training or knowledge of CMMC is deficient. Instead, it means, as stated by CMMC-AB: “They are the ‘implementers’ and consultants, but do not conduct Certified CMMC Assessments. Any references to ‘non-certified’ services are only referring to the fact that an RPO is not authorized to conduct a certified CMMC assessment.”
To become a CMMC RP or registered provider organization (RPO), an individual or organization has to register on the CMMC-AB website and pass the organization’s requirements. A CMMC-registered practitioner must:
RELATED: Does Your IT Support Provider Know NIST 800-171?
For companies that work in the defense industry, CMMC compliance is a no-brainer. Whether they work directly with the DoD or with other defense contractors, following CMMC standards is a necessary part of business.
Even companies that don’t deal directly with the DoD may want to certify for CMMC cybersecurity maturity because of how it can help grow their business. Being able to demonstrate a certain level of cybersecurity maturity can be an effective way to earn trust from other organizations.
For example, if a security-conscious client is down to a choice of two vendors with similar products/services at a similar cost, the decision may come down to which one can provide more security. In such situations, being CMMC certified for a higher maturity level can be a priceless competitive advantage.
When looking for a managed service provider (MSP) or MSSP to support your DoD compliance efforts, it’s important to find a partner that is CMMC-registered. These partner organizations will have the knowledge about CMMC requirements to help you better identify any security or compliance gaps that you need to address.
More importantly, they can help you specifically address the 17 domains of CMMC certification so you can meet your desired certification level in the most efficient manner possible. They can also help explain to your company’s board, investors, and other key stakeholders why specific security measures are needed and how they can help.
Additionally, with a CMMC-registered practitioner, you have some assurance that the vendor will follow a professional code of ethics. Every CMMC RP signs and holds themselves to an ethics agreement with the CMMC-AB. If the CMMC-AB gets a complaint about an RP, the accreditation body reserves the right to revoke the RP’s approval—providing some peace of mind regarding the trustworthiness of the service provider.
Of course, you shouldn’t just take a company’s word for it that they have achieved CMMC RP status—anyone can slap a badge on their website and claim they’ve passed the CMMC-AB’s training (at least, until they’re told to take it down). So, it’s important to contact the CMMC accreditation body and verify a potential vendor’s qualifications!
So, say that you want to improve your cybersecurity maturity level as soon as you can. What steps should you take to do this? Some tips for improving your cybersecurity maturity include:
RELATED: How to Perform an IT Gap Analysis
Contact Systems X today to get started! We have experience in helping companies meet critical government cybersecurity standards like NIST 800-171 and have done the training to be a CMMC RP. Are you ready for CMMC? Download the readiness roadmap at the link below:
In November of 2020, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) rolled out the interim rule for the cybersecurity maturity model certification (CMMC). This...
With the phased rollout of the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements, many defense...
For defense contractors and the companies that work with them, compliance with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) cybersecurity requirements can mean...