Working with the Federal Government often involves meeting numerous IT and cybersecurity requirements. Understanding and effectively implementing these standards is essential for businesses aiming to succeed in this sector. Recent updates to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) have made compliance more achievable for small and mid-sized companies, reducing barriers and facilitating smoother operations.

CMMC, DFARS and NIST 800-171

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is used to safeguard sensitive unclassified information across the Defense Industrial Base by implementing regulatory requirements. The Department of Defense (DoD) found that companies doing business with the federal government were not satisfying the requirements specified in Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7012. These requirements include implementation of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-171. These requirements did not include official certification or compliance reporting mechanisms.

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) introduced a new certification model. The updated version, known as CMMC 2.0, was announced on November 4, 2021. These changes aim to reduce compliance barriers for small and mid-sized firms while enhancing protection against cyber attacks.