Mandated by the Department of Defense (DoD), the CMMC guide aims to provide a common cybersecurity framework that companies who handle sensitive data can adhere to. This set of requirements helps to ensure that companies who handle sensitive data related to the DoD are not susceptible to common cyber-attacks and achieve a basic level of digital hygiene.
Recently, the CMMC has been updated to a 2.0 version that enacts some important updates to the framework. These updates have been added to the framework to address some of the common issues that have come up after the first iteration of the plan. Additionally, it also has helped to condense the rules and trim some of the excess fat from the first attempt.
Cybercrime is on the Rise
According to reports, the frequency and sophistication of cybercrime have been consistently improving over the last five years. The war on cybercriminals is a very real and serious one – as the sensitive data that is housed within the DoD is very significant, and if it falls into the wrong hands, can lead to some serious implications.
According to the famous Moore’s Law, computing power doubles every two years, and the cost to produce it is cut in half. While this law guarantees exponential increases in computing power – it essentially guarantees the same for cybercrime advancements.
This means that if your business resides within the ecosystem of the DoD and the data it houses, it is essential to adhere to these rules as they apply to your business.
What is CMMC 2.0?
The “CMMC 2.0” is an updated framework to the original CMMC put forth by the DoD in early 2020.
This set of standards is the main guide for contractors who are in charge of building cybersecurity frameworks for companies that house data related to the DoD. The 2.0 approach is an even more comprehensive and refined approach compared to the original CMMC, and it ensures that companies adhere to a certain basic level of cybersecurity that is dependent on:
- The type of data that is housed
- Where data is housed
- The size of the company
- The unique threats each type of business faces
The CMMC 2.0 is designed in a top-down format, where each succeeding level builds n the level beneath it. The lowest level signifies the most basic and standard requirements, and as you go up, these standards become more rigorous and targeted. The requirements contained in each level are both technical as well non-technical.
The main goal of the CMMC 2.0 is to empower relevant organizations to be able to prevent the latest cybersecurity threats and evolve their security to its highest potential.
The CMMC 2.0 Framework
The CMMC 2.0 framework consists of three separate levels:
Level 1
Level 1 standards are the foundational requirements that every company needs to have in order to be protected up to modern standards. There are 17 standards within this section, and companies are required to submit an annual self-assessment that provides proof of meeting these requirements.
Level 2
The next level builds upon this initial framework and adds more rigorous requirements for companies that house more sensitive data, or that may have more unique risks they face. This “advanced” level has 100 total requirements and requires an independent third-party assessment to be completed.
Level 3
Level 3 contains the most advanced requirements for organizations. At this level, organizations are required to adhere to all of the previous requirements and are also required to create and maintain a plan demonstrating the management and implementation of their unique plans and risks.
These plans are required to include information on overarching goals, plans, resourcing, training, and the involvement of relevant parties involved in the process (both in and outside of the organization).
How To Ensure CMMC 2.0 Compliance
In order to achieve CMMC compliance, you will need to achieve compliance with the level that applies to your business. After you receive this information, it is up to you to ensure that your organization meets all of the standards and develops the proper protocols and documentation related to these improvements.
Our team of experts here at SeaGlass can help you to both develop your remediation plan and also add and document the necessary controls. Whether you are required to do a self-assessment or need to bring in a third party, we can help to ensure that your organization archives compliance.
For more information on the deeper details of the CMMC 2.0, reach out to our team of cybersecurity specialists today.