Understanding Your Obligations Under CMMC

If your organization works with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), achieving and maintaining Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance isn’t optional—it’s a critical requirement for winning and retaining contracts. Whether you’re a prime contractor or a subcontractor handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Federal Contract Information (FCI), understanding your obligations under CMMC is essential to securing your position in the defense supply chain.

In this post, we’ll walk through what CMMC compliance entails, the steps you need to take to become CMMC compliant and share how a CMMC consultant can provide the guidance and CMMC help your organization needs to meet requirements efficiently and confidently.

What Is CMMC Compliance, and Why Does It Matter?

CMMC is a framework developed by the DoD to ensure that contractors and subcontractors handling FCI and CUI maintain adequate cybersecurity protections. CMMC builds on existing standards like NIST SP 800-171 and introduces a tiered certification model ranging from Level 1 to Level 3, depending on the sensitivity of the information your organization handles.

Being CMMC compliant is more than a box-checking exercise—it’s a condition of doing business with the DoD. Without it, your organization could lose eligibility to bid on contracts or retain current engagements.

What Are Your CMMC Obligations?

If you work with the DoD or the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), your key obligations under CMMC include:

• Determining Your Required CMMC Level: Your required certification level depends on the type of information your organization handles. Most companies need to meet Level 1 or 2, while organizations managing more sensitive CUI may need Level 2 or 3.
• Implementing Required Controls: Each level of CMMC outlines specific cybersecurity practices and processes. You’ll need to implement and document these controls according to the requirements of your certification level.
• Undergoing a CMMC Assessment: For Levels 2 and above, a CMMC assessment conducted by the Defense Contract Management Agency’s Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC) is required. Level 1 is eligible for self-assessment, but this could be subject to change as the framework evolves.
• Maintaining Compliance Over Time: CMMC is not a one-time event. You’re responsible for maintaining the controls, conducting internal reviews, and addressing vulnerabilities as part of your ongoing cybersecurity posture. Depending on the level, companies may need to recertify every one to three years.

How a CMMC Consultant Can Help

Achieving CMMC compliance can be complex, especially for organizations without dedicated security teams. That’s where a CMMC consultant can make a significant impact.

A skilled CMMC consultant can:

• Conduct a Gap Analysis: Identify where your current cybersecurity policies, systems, and procedures fall short of your required CMMC level.
• Develop a System Security Plan (SSP): Work with your team to document how you meet CMMC requirements, which is critical for passing your CMMC assessment.
• Prioritize Remediation Efforts: Help you create a clear, actionable roadmap to close gaps and strengthen your cybersecurity posture in line with CMMC.
• Prepare You for the CMMC Assessment: Guide your team through mock assessments, documentation reviews, and other steps to ensure you’re fully prepared for a formal evaluation.

It’s especially important to work with an Authorized CMMC Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) that has been rigorously vetted by the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB) to help DoD contractors and subcontractors achieve CMMC compliance.

Getting Started with CMMC Help

If you’re just beginning your journey toward CMMC compliance, or if you’ve already started but aren’t sure where you stand, the best step forward is to engage a qualified CMMC consultant. Their expertise can save you time, reduce the risk of failed assessments, and help ensure you’re fully prepared to meet DoD cybersecurity requirements.

CMMC help is available, but don’t wait until you’re at risk of non-compliance to act. The phased rollout of CMMC 2.0 is expected to begin sometime in Q2 2025, and the DoD has already communicated its plans to include CMMC Level 1 and Level 2 requirements in new 2025 contracts. Take proactive steps now to secure your contracts and protect the sensitive data you handle.

IS Partners is an Authorized C3PAO, leveraging over 20 years of cross-industry compliance experience to deliver tailored audit preparation and certification assistance. CMMC compliance and consultation require expertise beyond a basic assessment. We conduct CMMC Level 2 assessments, as well as gap assessments, policy recommendations, and process alignments to help DoD contractors and subcontractors meet their CMMC requirements.

Want to learn how we can help you reach compliance with CMMC Level 2? Visit our services page for more details.

Ready to secure your organization’s compliance with a tailored approach? Connect with us to set up a consultation today.

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About The Author

Ian Terry

Ian Terry is a highly respected thought leader and subject matter expert in the field of cybersecurity.

As the Director of Cybersecurity Services for IS Partners, Ian leverages his extensive knowledge and experience to provide valuable insights and guidance to clients across various industries.

Ian has performed numerous risk assessments and audits related to NIST, HIPAA, HITRUST, FISMA, PCI, and CMSR. He is also an expert in third-party risk management having built a SaaS security platform for streamlining third-party risk assessments. Ian's cybersecurity writings have been published in Hackernoon, Security Boulevard and CISO Mag.

He holds a B.S. in Cybersecurity from a national center of academic excellence in cybersecurity as recognized by the NSA and DHS and has CSM, HCISPP, and SSCP certifications.