What is the CMMC Certification and Why Is It Necessary?
CMMC stands for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. It is a special program designed and enforced by the United States Department of Defense. The system was established to help the federal government’s defense in standardizing its cybersecurity preparedness. It is basically a collection of the best organizational practices to minimize cyber-attacks. To implement the process, a company must complete different levels. Once the point of “maturity” is optimized, higher levels of aptitude and accreditation are pursued.
CMMC certificationis currently one of the most crucial elements to strengthen the virtual security barrier. The increasing percentage of annual cybercrime and its impact has made the accreditation a robust strategy, to ensure security of federal information. Getting certified to this standard means a company has agreed to all the terms and conditions to increase and improve its cyber safety measures.
At the very tactical level of the certification, the model is designed to safeguard the sensitive data associated with federal contract information and the controlled unclassified information. The program was announced in the year 2020.
Why is CMMC Certification important?
According to several reports, more than $600 billion is drained from global GDP due to cybercrimes. The annual impact is a matter of concern for all the major industries across the globe. The department of defense has seen that if intellectual properties are at risk, it increases the overall vulnerability of the firm. To reduce that, the standard was designed and is now becoming a mandatory requirement. Some of the major advantages include the following:
- By increasing the level of security of cyber data, a huge amount of capital can be saved as cybercrimes invite statutory penalties.
- CMMC will save time for management group and can then focus on other crucial processes.
- The certification will add a competitive advantage. A strong cyber safety program protects any kind of third-party damage to brand image. It will act as an effective tool.
- Through a collaborative risk control approach, the contractors achieve the ability to reduce risk timely.
- By exhibiting the best practices of cybersecurity, a company gets the opportunity to recover fast from any kind of adverse situation without having any monetary penalties imposed.
- The model helps to clear doubts and generate awareness towards the basics of cyber hygiene.
Who is eligible for this certification?
CMMC is applicable to all Defense Industrial Base contractors and sub-contractors and applies to all new contracts, which start in 2020 and thereafter.
How many levels of CMMC are there and what are they?
There are 5 levels of the CMMC model.
Level 1 – The basic procedures are performed. The required concept for primary cyber hygiene is generated among the departments.
Level 2 – Intermediate cyber hygiene is the focus of the second level. Companies must document all their procedures and decisions. Documentation is a must for conducting audits later and making contingency plans.
Level 3 – At level three, a company achieves a “good” level of cyber hygiene through managed cyber security practices.
Level 4 – At level four, all measures are reviewed, and a “proactive” level of cyber hygiene is achieved.
Level 5 – This level is the optimizing level. The final control procedures are chosen and enforced based on their advancement and proactiveness.
What are the best main components of the CMMC framework?
- Practices
- Process
- Capabilities
- Domains
Role of ISO Consultants in Achieving Each level of CMMC
The model of CMMC needs rigorous dedication and effort. To reach each level, a company needs professional assistance. The ISO consultants offer holistic solution packages, which are inclusive of all the major analyses and reviews. The service providers are generally ISO-certified practitioners who have relevant industry experience and market knowledge. They efficiently generate awareness, simplify difficult terms, and recommend strategies to accomplish each level of cyber hygiene.
ComplianceHelp Consulting LLC is currently the most reliable ISO consultancy agency. They offer an all-inclusive service for achieving the CMMC Certification without any hassle. Their certified and experienced executives attend to their clients with dedication and support their accreditation journey. The focus of their service is to help their clients in achieving 100% compliance with the mandatory legal regulations. Click here for more details!