How to Get CMMC Compliant?

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) stands as the premier indicator of a company’s cybersecurity readiness, accrediting those that comply with their rigorous standards as being aptly equipped to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) appropriately. Historically, contractors were allowed to perform their own security audits, compiling a comprehensive list of requirements and qualifications that would allow them to file contracts with the DoD. However, considering the scale of recent cyberattacks against nationwide cybersecurity defenses, the DoD determined that they needed higher standards before any contractors were allowed access to Defense Industrial Base (DIB) systems and networks. As a result, the CMMC was established to validate contractors based on resource accessibility, infrastructure design, and preventative skills. Essentially, you can no longer form a contract with the DoD without first gaining a CMMC. The next step from here, in your case, will be determining how to get CMMC compliant.

How to Get CMMC Compliant?When it comes to compliance with the Department of Defense’s newest Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), you need the best of the best by your side. That’s where Domain Technology Group comes in. For over two decades, we’ve been providing world-class cybersecurity solutions to some of the most demanding organizations. From our elite team of engineers and analysts to our comprehensive suite of services, we have the knowledge and experience necessary to get your company CMMC compliant quickly and efficiently.

Follow the NIST Frameworks

The DoD hasn’t exactly provided its own step-by-step framework for contractors to follow to meet regulatory compliance standards. While you can determine the specific factors that will effectively qualify your company for CMMC accreditation, following through on the processes is another thing entirely. Thankfully, NIST provides the base acceptable cybersecurity standards that most companies must abide by to be considered to have adequate levels of security controls, maturity practices, and cybersecurity measures.

Whether you think you need it or not, your company will almost certainly be required to upgrade and optimize your cybersecurity stature if you’re interested in pursuing DoD contracts. In addition, of course, there are several levels of compliance depending on what type of CUI you’re interested in handling. But, for now, let’s focus on how the NIST special papers can prepare your organization to protect sensitive data from common cyberattacks aimed at procuring the data on the DIB.

The broadest special paper traditionally used to gauge and improve a company’s security stature is the NIST 800-171. It outlines the most critical aspects of cybersecurity that need to be improved before your company is likely to obtain DoD cybersecurity compliance. However, it’s not quite as specific as some companies may need. More importantly, while leveraging the NIST 800-171 to your advantage is highly recommended, is paying attention to the recent revision to the SP 800-53. This revision offered critical changes and alterations used to increase security measures for IoT technologies and network systems, including:

  • Making controls outcome-based
  • Consolidating the control catalog
  • Integrating supply chain risk management.
  • Separating the control selection process from the controls
  • Transferring control baselines and tailoring guidance to a separate publication
  • Improving descriptions of content relationships
  • Adding new state-of-the-practice controls

These, of course, are only samples of the significant changes made through the SP 800-53 that will provide your company with the guidance needed for determining how to get CMMC compliant. If you’re interested in a partnership, visit our contact page so we can get started.