The Defense Industrial Base (DIB) is the target of increasingly frequent and complex cyberattacks. To protect American ingenuity and national security information, the DoD developed CMMC 2.0 to dynamically enhance DIB cybersecurity to meet evolving threats and safeguard the information that supports and enables our warfighters.
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program enhances cyber protection standards for companies in the DIB. It is designed to protect sensitive unclassified information that is shared by the Department with its contractors and subcontractors. The program incorporates a set of cybersecurity requirements into acquisition programs and provides the Department increased assurance that contractors and subcontractors are meeting these requirements.
The framework has three key features:
In September 2020, the DoD published an interim rule to the DFARS in the Federal Register (DFARS Case 2019-D041), which implemented the DoD’s initial vision for the CMMC program (“CMMC 1.0”) and outlined the basic features of the framework (tiered model, required assessments, and implementation through contracts). The interim rule became effective on November 30, 2020, establishing a five-year phase-in period.
In March 2021, the Department initiated an internal review of CMMC’s implementation, informed by more than 850 public comments in response to the interim DFARS rule. This comprehensive, programmatic assessment engaged cybersecurity and acquisition leaders within DoD to refine policy and program implementation.
In November 2021, the Department announced “CMMC 2.0,” an updated program structure and requirements designed to achieve the primary goals of the internal review:
Learn more about CMMC 2.0
OUSD A&S - Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) (osd.mil)
The CMMC lifecycle starts with the understanding that organizations need expert help to facilitate their journey through CMMC certification.
Best practice for organizations is to start by visiting CMMC-AB at cmmcab.org/marketplace/ to select a CMMC provider in your local area. You can search by name, city, or state. CMMC-AB provides this tool to help organizations ensure they are working with properly trained companies. Organizations should reach out to RPOs and ensure they have RPs attached to their profile. This can also be done at https://cmmcab.org/marketplace/
CMMC-AB requires that PAs have been vetted, verified, and confirmed by CMMC-AB as an organization that has been trained to perform self-assessments, and has been given all the latest information on CMMC regulation as it pertains to obtaining your independent certification.
What do I do?
What can Solvitur do to help?
Solvitur leverages trained CMMC PAs that can be found in the CMMC-AB marketplace at:
Our PAs follow these basic steps:
Step 1 - Self-assessments
Step 2 - Remediation (POA&M)
Step 3 - Schedule C3PAO Assessment
Step 4 - Audit preparation
As PAs, we will assist and support your organization in identifying gaps within your necessary maturity level. Solvitur can: