With the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 deadlines looming, organizations that contract or subcontract with the Department of Defense (DoD) should begin preparing for compliance.  Proactively addressing compliance gaps and documenting critical information security processes can make the difference between a smooth certification journey and a bumpy one.  Below are some suggestions to help your organization plan for its CMMC certification journey.

Assess Your Current Compliance Posture

Conduct a formal gap analysis by evaluating our organization’s existing cybersecurity controls against the NIST SP 800-171 r2 standard.  Strongly consider experienced infosec compliance firms like CyberCrest to assist in this effort to ensure efficiency and accuracy.   An inaccurate gap assessment can cause problems like delays and cost overruns down the road.   

Catalog Your Assets

Maintain an accurate inventory of hardware, software, and data repositories. Knowing your assets is key to a targeted approach to risk management.

Create a Plan to Address Gaps

Remediation can be difficult for both small and large organizations.   Create a roadmap for gap remediation and ensure you have the right expertise to assist with and guide remediation efforts.

Understand Documentation Requirements

CMMC certification requires a very specific set of documents.  Update core security documents so that system Security Plans (SSPs) and other critical documents, such as the Incident Response Plans, are current and aligned with your actual practices.

Implement Version Control

Maintain detailed records of updates to demonstrate a clear audit trail. Regularly reviewing and revising documentation shows an ongoing commitment to security.

Provide Employee Training

Develop a tailored curriculum that includes both high-level security awareness and role-specific training.  Ensure that your curriculum meets the specifications of the NIST 800-171 standard.  Additionally, threat landscapes evolve.  Regular training sessions help keep employees current on best practices and emerging risks.

Get Started With CMMC Preparations Now

By starting your CMMC preparations now, your organization can reduce both security risks and potential disruptions to DoD contract eligibility.  A methodical, well-documented approach can help your business prepare when changes arrive.

Need help planning your CMMC compliance journey? CyberCrest can successfully guide your organization to certification success.