CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is a type of compliance with several levels that helps the Department of Defense (DoD) and the government at large decide whether a business has the necessary security protocols in place to work with controlled and classified data.
This compliance is mandatory if your business is looking to secure a DoD contract in the future.
As cybersecurity and compliance experts here at CyberFort Advisors, we wanted to offer some helpful tips and best practices for achieving CMMC compliance.
What is CMMC Compliance?
There are 5 different levels of CMMC compliance. Each level has its own number of controls and that number includes all of the controls from the levels below it, with Level 1 being the lowest with just 17 controls, and Level 5 being the highest with 171 controls.
CMMC compliance is required for any organization that will be operating with information supplied by the DoD. If the organization will operate with non-classified information from the DoD, clearance Levels 1 through 3 will suffice. But if your organization will be operating with any high-value or classified information, you’re most likely going to need Level 4 or 5 compliance certification.
Level 1 looks a lot like a basic security system your average business should have: it includes things like password hygiene, antivirus protection, etc. Level 5 is a lot more comprehensive; you’ll need components like proactive threat detection methods, infrastructure auditing software and protocols that can identify and fix gaps. A Level 5 compliance means your business is constantly optimizing your security systems.
Organizations looking to be CMMC certified must go through a third-party certification process. This process includes a system audit to check current security measures and threat detection methods to see how mature and prepared the programs are, and whether they meet the DoD and certification requirements.
First Priority: Define CUI
One of the first things you should focus on when going for CMMC compliance is identifying your CUI (controlled unclassified information) environment. This will be the area where you keep, access, process, and transmit sensitive information.
This CUI Environment must be in an area that is physically and logically separated from the rest of the data center it resides in.
Examples of CUI include:
- Personally identifiable information (PII)
- Sensitive PII
- Proprietary business information, also known as confidential business information
- Unclassified controlled technical information
- Sensitive But Unclassified
- For official Use Only
- Law Enforcement Sensitive
Here’s some more information and examples for CUI.
Identify Relevant Data Types and Current Handling Methods
The goal of CMMC compliance is to mandate the details regarding the protection of government data on non-government networks. Your second priority when preparing for the compliance audit is to identify all your relevant data types and then do a thorough review of your current methods for handling that data.
This has to be done so your organization can demonstrate how it will handle and protect CUI and FCI (federal contract information).
You’ll have to identify what information and data you have that could fall into these categories, and then evaluate how your system and its users interact with and use that data. It’s often recommended that you work with a compliance provider (like CyberFort Advisors) to ensure that this process goes smoothly and quickly.
You can also conduct a CMMC current state assessment in partnership with your compliance expert. This is like doing a full trial run of a CMMC audit to see where you fall on a scale of preparedness.
Some key focus areas should include:
- Data storage, backup, and disaster recovery plans
- Detailed records of which your employees will or do have access to CUI and other sensitive data
- Security controls: with respect to NIST 800-171 controls: implementation of and maintenance for security controls
- Training and cyber hygiene protocols for employees and other network users, including protocols for remote workers
- Clear knowledge of all cybersecurity tools: firewalls, antivirus, etc.
CyberFort: Compliance Made Easy
CyberFort Advisors offers solutions for several compliance types, including CMMC. We can help you with everything from government contract bids to regulatory filings and more.
We are well-versed in several compliance security frameworks from SOC2 to NIST, and more. And even if you aren’t looking to submit your business or services for government contracts, you should still be building a security program that can at least meet the Level 1 and 2 criteria to ensure the health of your technology and digital assets.
We also offer a pre-assessment service for those looking to start taking DoD contracts with CMMC compliance regulations. You can start that process by clicking here.
Contact us today and let us know how CyberFort Advisors can help ease your compliance burdens for 2022 and beyond.