As cyber threats continue to grow, businesses working with the Department of Defense (DoD) need to meet strict cybersecurity standards. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) was developed to help businesses maintain the safety of sensitive government information. Since its inception, CMMC has been revised to simplify the process while maintaining powerful security.
Therefore, whether your company is new to CMMC or planning for it, it’s crucial to understand how these levels vary. Moreover, these levels not only add security but also show different stages of readiness, types of controls, and contract requirements.
This article will outline five significant differences between the CMMC levels. This will help you understand what each level requires and how to prepare for it.
1. Maturity Levels
The difference in CMMC levels includes the overall maturity of cybersecurity practices. While initially CMMC had five levels, it has now been simplified to three levels under CMMC 2.0. Each level represents an incremental step in the maturation of cybersecurity, from basic steps to more advanced strategies for handling highly sensitive information.
For instance, Level 1 is the basic level for companies that handle Federal Contract Information. At this level, businesses are required to follow basic cybersecurity practices. Such practices include antivirus software, system updates, and password protection.
Furthermore, CMMC certification services are particularly relevant as companies progress to Level 2, the advanced level for firms handling Controlled Unclassified Information. This level requires compliance with 110 security controls from NIST SP 800-171.
Lastly, level 3 represents the expert organization operating highly sensitive government information or critical defense systems. It requires more developed cybersecurity capabilities based on NIST SP 800-172.
At each progressively higher level, a business moves from simple practices to deploying sophisticated systems requiring significant effort, tools, and expertise.
2. Security Controls
Another key difference between CMMC levels is the number or type of required security controls that must be maintained and implemented for all levels. Each higher level includes the earlier one, with increased controls.
At the first level, organizations must follow 17 basic controls relating to simple tasks. These controls are relatively easy to implement and require minimum effort for a business.
Furthermore, at Level 2, businesses should be fully capable of instituting all NIST SP controls: 110. Controls provide a broad view of essential themes like how firms grant access to data within an organization or monitoring and event response.
Consequently, level 3 deals with advanced NIST SP 800-172 controls, which can protect against sophisticated threats, such as hacking by foreign attackers or highly skilled cyber criminals. At this level, the companies must possess advanced tools and capabilities, including continuous system monitoring and proactive threat detection.
3. Assessment Requirements
When it comes to assessment requirements, not all levels need the same assessment, which could alter the cost and effort that a business may incur.
Companies at Level 1 can do self-assessments, which do not require third-party auditors. Instead, a company can look at its cybersecurity practices internally and provide the results directly to the DoD. That makes the basic threshold more accessible and much cheaper for small businesses.
On the other hand, Level 2 involves an even more intricate assessment process. Several firms might be permitted to make self-assessments, but other cases will need third-party assessments. All these depend on the sensitivity of the contract. For those handling highly sensitive CUI, hiring a certified assessor, a C3PAO, or a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization would be required to see if the organization meets the requirements.
Likewise, third-party assessments will always be needed for Level 3. The highly sensitive nature of the work at Level 3 makes it very likely that the third-party assessors will be government officials.
4. Focus Areas
Each CMMC level focuses on a different type of cybersecurity goal. As the levels go higher, companies’ focus shifts from essential data protection to advanced threat detection and response.
At Level 1, the focus is essentially on basic cyber hygiene. Organizations institute simple security to protect FCI. This involves deploying firewalls, patching systems regularly, and limiting access to sensitive information on a need-to-know basis.
Similarly, Level 2 focuses on the protection of CUI. Companies at this level should employ more sophisticated security and formalize processes. Furthermore, at Level 3, the focus is on advanced threat protection. An organization should be prepared to handle sophisticated threats from highly skilled adversaries.
5. Contractual Implications
Other significant differences between CMMC levels involve the way they relate to contracts. Each level determines what type of DoD contracts a business is qualified for. This becomes important, for example, to companies wanting to break into the defense sector.
At Level 1, the companies can only handle the contracts involving FCI. The information in this context is of less sensitivity, and the security challenge is less. Level 2 is designed for companies processing CUI. Since CUI is more sensitive, it warrants stronger protection. On the other hand, in Level 3, the firm has to operate highly sensitive or classified defense projects where critical systems or high-value information needs advanced protection.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the differences between levels of CMMC is essential for those businesses who want to win contracts with the DoD. The levels are not just added to increase security but to show how well-prepared a company is and the opportunities it might have.
Moreover, Level 1 has minimum security practices and allows organizations to bid directly on low-risk contracts. Besides, Level 2 requires advanced controls to protect sensitive data and opens up more opportunities. Finally, Level 3 demands expert-level security, making a business qualify for high-value defense contracts.
