Any companies that do business with the Department of Defense (DoD) will soon be subject to the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). This security standard has already begun being used in the specification for a limited number of requests for information as of September 2020.
Both prime contractors and subcontractors that engage with DoD for projects will need to comply with CMMC if they want to continue working with any DoD agencies. It’s expected that in 2026, CMMC compliance will be required in all new DoD requests for proposals (RFPs).
In a nutshell, CMMC is an IT security framework that is designed to ensure companies handling unclassified DoD data have the proper systems in place to protect that data.
Scalable Levels of Security
The standard is designed to be scalable for different levels of security. Some RFPs might require Level 1 for a contractor, while others may demand a higher level.
These levels include:
- Level 1: Basic Cyber Hygiene
- Level 2: Intermediate Cyber Hygiene
- Level 3: Good Cyber Hygiene
- Level 4: Proactive Cybersecurity
- Level 5: Advanced/Progressive Cybersecurity
As the levels go up, so do the types of IT security protections that a business must have in place.
To meet the Level 1 requirement, contractors must adhere to 15 basic cybersecurity standards. These include everything from limiting system access to implementing malware protections.
The standard also lists out 17 different capability areas, such as situational awareness, audit and accountability, media protection, and more.
Why You Want Your IT Vendor To Be CMMC-AB Certified
Anytime you’re dealing with a new compliance standard, it can get complicated. Just the basics for CMMC Level 1 require an understanding of the 17 capability areas and 15 requirements. Go up to another level, and you’ve got more requirements to put into place.
When you work with a vendor that’s CMMC-AB Certified, like Leverage IT Group, it’s similar to why you work with a professional accountant for your business taxes. You want to ensure you’re covered and properly compliant, and a professional is going to know more than you do about the rules you need to follow.
What Is CMMC-AB Certified?
The CMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB) operates as the sole body that can certify and license those that work with the DoD or those working with companies that support contractors working with DoD.
When you work with a vendor that has CMMC-AB certification, you know that they have:
- Been well trained on CMMC compliance
- Passed appropriate testing on compliance with CMMC
- Passed a background check
- Agreed to be held to a high standard of professional conduct
CMMC-AB offers different designations for professionals working in the CMMC compliance ecosystem. These include:
- Registered Practitioner (RP) (registered, but not certified)
- Registered Provider Organization (RPO) (registered, but not certified)
- Certified CMMC Professionals (CCP)
- Certified CMMC Assessors (CCA)
What Can a Certified CMMC Professional Do?
- Authorized to participate as an assessment team member with a Certified CMMC Assessor.
- Eligible to become a Certified Assessor.
- A valuable credential that indicates a full understanding of CMMC needs for a DoD supplier.
- Authorized to use the Certified CMMC Professional logo
- Listed in the CMMC-AB Marketplace
If you are a supplier to DoD, then it’s important to work with vendors that are CMMC-AB Certified for several reasons.
Decreased Cost for CMMC Compliance
If you work with an IT provider that has been trained, tested, and certified in the CMMC compliance requirements, you can decrease your costs to become compliant yourself.
They will save you considerable time by being able to assess your current cybersecurity protections and recommend additions needed for you to be compliant at the necessary CMMC level.
If you try to do all this yourself, you can spend countless hours trying to go through the requirements and could end up missing a vital piece that can cost you a DoD contract.
You Don’t Have to Worry About a Compliance Breach
When you have to meet a particular data security regulation, whether it’s HIPAA or CMMC, your company is the one responsible to ensure data is properly protected. This includes when it’s being accessed by any of your vendors or 3rd party systems.
So, if you aren’t working with vendors that understand the needs of CMMC, you could end up suffering a compliance breach due to a 3rd party that you work with. This could cost you a contract and DoD-related revenue.
Positions You Ahead of Your Competitors
Since CMMC is just beginning to be put into use on some DoD requests for information, many suppliers haven’t done their homework on the regulation. This puts them behind those that have.
If you get a head start on CMMC compliance by working with a CMMC-AB certified IT provider, you can be at a higher level when more important DoD projects are put out for bid with a CMMC requirement. Competitors that haven’t kept up, might not be qualified to bid on a project, which gives you an advantage.
Get a Jump-Start on CMMC Compliance with Help from Leverage IT
Leverage IT Group, an expert in CMMC, can help your DFW area business tackle CMMC compliance and earn more DoD contracts as a result.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Call (469) 458-0559 or reach us online.