What is CMMC?
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is a unified cybersecurity standard mandated by the U.S. Department of Defense for all contractors and subcontractors who handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Federal Contract Information (FCI).
Quick Answer
CMMC consolidates various cybersecurity standards into a single framework with three levels of certification. It replaces contractor self-assessment with third-party verification to ensure defense supply chain security.
Who Needs CMMC?
Any organization in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) that bids on or holds DoD contracts needs CMMC certification. This includes:
- Prime contractors working directly with DoD
- Subcontractors at any tier in the supply chain
- Suppliers providing products or services containing CUI
- Software vendors and cloud service providers to DoD contractors
The Three CMMC Levels
Level 1: Foundational
17 basic cybersecurity practices for protecting Federal Contract Information (FCI). Allows annual self-assessment. Required for contracts involving FCI only.
Level 2: Advanced
110 practices aligned with NIST SP 800-171 for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Requires third-party assessment by C3PAO. Most common level for DoD contractors.
Level 3: Expert
110+ practices for protecting highly sensitive CUI and defending against Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Required for critical national security programs. Assessed by government personnel.
Key Requirements
- Scope Definition: Clearly define your CMMC Assessment Scope boundary
- Security Controls: Implement required practices for your level
- Documentation: Maintain evidence of control implementation
- Third-Party Assessment: Pass evaluation by certified assessor (Levels 2 & 3)
- Continuous Compliance: Maintain controls and pass re-assessment every 3 years
Timeline & Costs
Level 1:
3-6 months | $15K-$50K total cost
Level 2:
6-12 months | $100K-$500K total cost
Level 3:
12-18 months | $500K-$2M+ total cost
Getting Started
The first step is conducting a gap assessment to understand your current security posture versus CMMC requirements. This identifies which controls you already have and what needs implementation.
Need Help with CMMC Compliance?
Pilotcore provides CMMC gap assessments, implementation, and certification support for defense contractors. Our CISSP-certified team has helped 50+ organizations achieve CMMC compliance.
