CMMC

About CMMC

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a unified standard designed to enhance the protection of sensitive information across the Defense Industrial Base. It establishes five progressive maturity levels of cybersecurity practices, requiring contractors to implement and maintain specific security controls based on the sensitivity of information they handle.

CMMC differs from previous self-attestation approaches by requiring third-party assessments to verify compliance before companies can receive certain Department of Defense contracts. This certification process ensures organizations not only implement required security practices but demonstrate the maturity of their cybersecurity processes, creating a more resilient defense supply chain.

CMMC compliance steps

Begin by assessing your organization's current cybersecurity posture through a comprehensive gap analysis, comparing existing practices against CMMC requirements to identify deficiencies that need addressing.

Determine which CMMC level is required for your organization based on the types of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) you handle and your contractual obligations with the Department of Defense.

Develop a detailed System Security Plan (SSP) that documents your security controls, policies, and procedures aligned with CMMC practices, serving as the foundation for your compliance efforts.

Implement the required security controls across your organization, addressing technical safeguards, administrative policies, and physical security measures as specified by your target CMMC level.

Establish a robust security awareness training program for all employees to ensure understanding of cybersecurity best practices, proper handling of sensitive information, and compliance responsibilities.

Create and maintain comprehensive documentation of all security-related activities, including policies, procedures, risk assessments, system configurations, and evidence of control implementation.

Conduct regular internal assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of your security controls, identify potential vulnerabilities, and ensure continuous compliance with CMMC requirements.

Prepare for and undergo an official CMMC assessment conducted by an authorized C3PAO (CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization) who will evaluate your implementation of required practices.

Develop a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) to address any deficiencies identified during assessments, prioritizing remediation efforts based on risk and compliance impact.

Establish a continuous monitoring program to maintain CMMC compliance over time, including regular security control testing, vulnerability scanning, and updating security documentation as systems change.

Organizations often find CMMC compliance challenging due to the comprehensive nature of the requirements and the significant resources needed for implementation. The initial gap analysis demands technical expertise that many smaller defense contractors may lack internally, forcing them to hire expensive consultants. Determining the appropriate CMMC level can also be complicated when organizations handle various types of information across different contracts, potentially requiring compliance with multiple standards simultaneously.

Developing and maintaining a thorough System Security Plan presents another hurdle, as it requires detailed documentation of complex technical controls and organizational processes. This documentation burden continues throughout the compliance journey, with many organizations struggling to maintain the extensive paper trail required while still conducting their core business operations. The implementation of technical controls often necessitates significant investments in new security technologies, infrastructure upgrades, and specialized personnel.

Employee security awareness training presents challenges in creating meaningful behavioral change across diverse workforces with varying technical abilities. Many organizations find that despite training efforts, human error remains their biggest security vulnerability. The internal assessment process demands objectivity that can be difficult to achieve when evaluating one's own systems, potentially leaving blind spots that external assessors will later identify.

The consequences of failing to implement CMMC requirements are severe and multifaceted. Most immediately, organizations risk losing eligibility for DoD contracts, which can be financially devastating for defense contractors. Beyond lost revenue, non-compliant organizations face increased vulnerability to cyber attacks that could compromise sensitive defense information, potentially leading to national security implications. Data breaches resulting from inadequate security measures can trigger legal liabilities, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage that extends far beyond the defense sector.

The remediation costs following a security incident typically far exceed the investment required for proactive compliance. Furthermore, organizations with weak security postures risk becoming the entry point for supply chain attacks that compromise their partners and customers, damaging business relationships and trust. As cyber threats continue to evolve in sophistication, the gap between compliant and non-compliant organizations will likely widen, creating long-term competitive disadvantages for those unable to meet these essential security standards.

Reducing audit cost and complexity for CMMC with an Enterprise Browser

For any size organization supporting DOD contracts and subcontracts, bid compliance is a must. With the Island Enterprise Browser, businesses can simplify achieving CMMC requirements and ensure bid compliance while maintaining security and productivity — directly through the browser. By creating secure application boundaries and embedding robust controls, Island ensures information stays within NIST 800-171 compliant storage and use, reducing audit scope and risk.