Organizations that store or utilize any Department of Defense (DoD) controlled unclassified information must be compliant with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). To ensure the security and privacy of data, the DoD has mandated the implementation of this certification across all contractors that handle their sensitive data. The benefits and challenges associated with achieving CMMC compliance can be daunting for many organizations, but partnering with a cloud services provider such as CloudZen Partners can make the process easier to navigate. This article will explore some of the advantages, obstacles, and solutions related to becoming CMMC certified.
What is CMMC certification?
In order to protect federal information systems from malicious actors, government agencies require contractors and subcontractors to adhere to a set of cybersecurity standards known as CMMC certification. The basic requirements are divided into five levels corresponding to varying degrees of complexity – Basic Cyber Hygiene (Level 1), Intermediate Cyber Hygiene (Level 2), Good Cyber Hygiene (Level 3), Proactive (Level 4), Advanced/Progressive (Level 5). Each level requires a set of practices that must be met in order for an organization to become certified. For example, Level 1 requires password management practices such as changing passwords periodically and creating complex passwords, while Level 5 requires more advanced measures such as encryption algorithms and access control lists.
Benefits Of Achieving CMMC Certification
Achieving CMMC compliance brings many benefits to companies wishing to work with DoD contracts. For example, by adhering to a standardised set of security requirements, it helps to reduce the risk to both parties involved in handling sensitive data. In addition, by implementing these measures, it also increases overall trust between the parties, which in turn creates better relationships between them. Finally, this certification demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to protecting its own system from potential cyber threats, as well as any other systems it may have access to through contractual agreements or partnerships. As such, it gives organisations credibility when competing for tenders or contracts, which can lead to increased revenue over time.
Challenges associated with achieving CMMC compliance
Implementing an effective cybersecurity protocol can be a challenging task given the various variables involved, such as budget constraints, available resources and technical expertise within an organisation’s workforce. In addition, depending on the size and complexity of an organisation, developing policies specifically designed to meet all five tiers outlined by the DoD could prove challenging, which could delay or prevent progress towards certification altogether. In addition, not understanding how each layer needs to work together or what type of structure best fits a particular business model could create additional issues if not properly addressed prior to launching an initiative focused on achieving this status.
Solutions Provided by CloudZen Partners
Partnering with cloud service providers such as CloudZen Partners provides organisations with assistance in navigating these potential pitfalls when developing strategies to meet all five tiers required by the DoD mandate. Their team is made up of professionals experienced in developing plans specifically tailored to the needs of individual organisations, ensuring that every aspect is considered prior to deployment, thereby reducing the risks associated with non-compliance, resulting in fines or worse – closure due to lack of compliance. In addition, they offer guidance at every step of the process, helping organisations to avoid common mistakes that often occur during implementations involving multiple layers of connectivity required for successful completion.
Bottom line
With so much at stake when it comes to managing the cyber risks associated with handling secure data, understanding the best approach to overcoming the challenges associated with achieving MMDC compliance should no longer remain a mystery. Organisations struggling to understand the complexities of the DoD’s mandates should consider partnering with a trusted third party, such as CloudZen Partners, to help guide them safely through the murky waters ahead.
