The Department of Defense has mandated that all entities doing business with the DOD must be compliant with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework. The CMMC is a set of standards and best practices for protecting against cyber threats, and is designed to ensure that all entities are taking the necessary steps to protect their networks and data.
Readiness for CMMC certification is critical for organizations who want to continue doing business with the DOD or other government agencies. While the process of becoming certified can seem daunting, it is important to remember that there are many resources available to help you get started. The following will explain the CMMC and how your business can get ready for certification testing.
What is CMMC?
The CMMC is a Department of Defense initiative that establishes a common cybersecurity framework for defense contractors. The goal of the CMMC is to improve the cybersecurity posture of defense contractors and protect critical Department of Defense information and systems.
Through a series of practices and protocols, the CMMC ensures that defense contractors are adequately protected against cyber threats. By establishing a common cybersecurity framework, the CMMC helps reduce the risk of cyber incidents that could potentially harm defense systems and the security of sensitive information.
CMMC 2.0 is the revision of the original Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. The goal of this revision is to provide a more comprehensive and risk-based cybersecurity certification framework for DoD suppliers while streamlining the entire process for everyone involved.
From the perspective of businesses, this means that the CMMC certification process will be more rigorous and comprehensive than ever before. Participation organizations will need to demonstrate a higher level of cybersecurity risk management maturity in order to achieve certification.
There are five key areas that CMMC 2.0 will focus on:
- Identification and assessment of cybersecurity risks
- Implementation of risk management practices
- Development and implementation of cybersecurity policies and procedures
- Use of cyber-risk management tools
- Continuous monitoring and improvement of cybersecurity posture
Businesses that are ready to obtain or renew their CMMC certification should start preparing now. Here is a closer look at the steps to be taking:
How To Prepare for a CMMC Certification
The CMMC is a relatively new certification, and businesses are still trying to figure out how to best prepare for it. However, there are some measures that all businesses can take to get started.
Review the Basics
It is important to understand the basics of the CMMC. This is a security framework that was developed in response to the increased number of cyberattacks on data housing systems. It covers five core areas: risk management, cyber threat intelligence, vulnerability management, incident response and cyberdefense practices.
Create a Plan of Action (POA)
Businesses should develop a plan for how they will meet the requirements of the CMMC. An effective plan will require a detailed assessment of the current security posture of the business and its vulnerabilities. This will lay the groundwork for creating a roadmap to improve the security posture in order to meet the required standards.
Start Implementation Procedures
The next step will be to begin implementing the recommended security controls and practices outlined in the CMMC. This will take time and effort, but it is essential for achieving certification. The good news is that many of these controls are already recommended best practices for cybersecurity. Remember that this is a process, and implementation will always be a changing, fluid process.
Consistently Monitor and Review
Businesses should continuously monitor their security posture and update their plans; by establishing regular testing intervals, improvements or weaknesses can be better monitored and corrected. The CMMC is a living document, and it will likely continue to evolve over time meaning that businesses should be prepared to adapt as well.
Get the Help You Need to Achieve Certification
The best way to prepare for CMMC 2.0 is to partner with an experienced third-party assessor that is able to help you navigate the certification process and ensure that your business meets all requirements.
In addition, working with a team of experienced cybersecurity consultants can help you get a full view of your organization’s cybersecurity position and visualize each step that needs to be taken to reach certification.
At SeaGlass Technology, we help make it easy for you to know what steps to take to receive certification. We offer a range of services including gap analysis, remediation support, policy development and training that can make certain that your organization is well-prepared for CMMC 2.0.
Contact our team of experts today at 212-886-0790 to learn more about how we can help your business identify the key factors that affect your cybersecurity protocols.