CMMC Certification

CMMC certification requires defense contractors to meet an extensive set of cybersecurity criteria. Below is our list of CMMC certification best practices every defense contractor should strongly consider when pursuing CMMC 2.0 compliance and ultimately CMMC certification.

1. Choose the Appropriate CMMC Maturity Level

There are three levels of CMMC 2.0 certification: CMMC Level 1 (foundational), CMMC Level 2 (advanced), and CMMC Level 3 (expert); organizations must choose the right level to pursue based on the sensitivity of the data they handle. Certification requirements increase in stringency in parallel to the sensitivity of content to be handled and shared.

2. Perform a CMMC Self-assessment

Conduct a self-assessment of your cybersecurity profile to gauge your readiness for CMMC certification. This assessment should include a review of your cybersecurity maturity, including your policies and procedures, network security, access controls, and incident response capabilities.

3. Leverage Complementary Cybersecurity Frameworks

CMMC was developed from existing frameworks and significant overlap is evident. Leveraging existing frameworks and certifications that align with CMMC requirements can make CMMC certification less daunting. Complementary frameworks include the NIST CSF, FedRAMP, FISMA, ISO 27001, NIST 800-171, and NIST 800-172.

4. Build a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)

A Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) outlines your strategy to address cybersecurity weaknesses and deficiencies. Prioritize the areas that need to be addressed. Develop a timeline for each task, assign tasks to team members with clear responsibilities, and document all the steps taken. Keep track of progress and update the POA&M as needed.

5. Develop a System Security Plan (SSP)

The SSP outlines your authentication and authorization procedures, information flows, company regulations, staff security obligations, network diagrams, administrative duties, and more. Note: creating and updating the SSP can be a resource-intensive process but it’s a critical piece of the certification process. Both your C3PAO and the DoD will carefully scrutinize and evaluate your SSP.

6. Select a CMMC Third Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO)

C3PAOs are authorized to conduct CMMC assessments. They provide guidance throughout the CMMC compliance process and assess your organization’s compliance with the CMMC framework. Check the CMMC AB website for a list of authorized C3PAOs, look for those with experience in your industry, check their accreditation status, ask for references, and look at their pricing structure.

7. Set a Timeline

The CMMC certification process can take up to 12 months, with ongoing maintenance and periodic assessments throughout, so plan accordingly. Other variables include your desired level of certification, your organization’s size and current cybersecurity posture. Also keep in mind the C3PAO’s gap analysis can take up to three months. For more information on CMMC timelines and milestones, be sure to check out CMMC Roadmap: Your Ultimate Guide for CMMC 2.0 Compliance.

8. Allocate Sufficient Resources

The CMMC certification process is costly, so budget accordingly. You will incur costs for cybersecurity assessments, remediation, and ongoing maintenance. Other budget considerations: certification costs vary depending on the CMMC level you pursue and C3PAO costs vary based on their experience and accreditation status. For more on CMMC costs and budgeting, be sure to check out The True Cost of CMMC Compliance: What Defense Contractors Need to Budget For.

Learn More About CMMC

Learn and understand the difference between CMMC certification vs. CMMC compliance.

To learn more about CMMC certification, be sure to check out our Essential Guide to CMMC 2.0 Compliance Requirements.

And to learn more about Kiteworks for CMMC compliance, be sure to check out Achieve CMMC Compliance With Complete Protection of CUI and FCI.