If your organization contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD), meeting Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements is no longer optional. Without the right level of certification, your business could lose out on valuable contracts and face serious security risks.
However, with multiple levels of CMMC, understanding what your organization needs can be confusing. Do you need the most basic level for handling Federal Contract Information (FCI), or do you require advanced protections for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)?
The CMMC framework consists of three levels, each defining specific cybersecurity requirements based on the sensitivity of the data your organization handles. Whether you're a subcontractor with minimal data exposure or a prime contractor managing highly sensitive information, choosing the correct level is critical for compliance and continued DoD partnerships.
What are the different levels of CMMC? Find out everything there is to know about the level of CMMC certification your organization needs. Let’s discuss the levels of CMMC.
Key Takeaways
- CMMC 2.0 consists of three levels, each with specific cybersecurity requirements based on the sensitivity of the data you handle.
- Level 1 applies to organizations handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) and requires a self-assessment.
- Level 2 is required for those handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and involves 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls.
- Level 3 applies to organizations working with critical CUI and requires government-led assessments.
- The CMMC framework includes 14 cybersecurity domains, covering everything from access control to incident response.
- Compliance is mandatory for DoD contractors and ensures your organization is eligible for government contracts.
- BEMO provides end-to-end compliance support, including audits, penetration testing, and automated compliance monitoring.
Table of Contents:
Three Levels of CMMC
If your organization works with the Department of Defense, meeting Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requirements is essential for maintaining contracts and protecting sensitive information.
CMMC is structured into three levels, each with specific cybersecurity requirements based on the type of data you handle. Understanding these levels is key to determining what your business needs to achieve compliance.
Level 1: Foundational
CMMC Level 1 focuses on basic cybersecurity practices to protect Federal Contract Information. At this level, your organization must implement 14 cybersecurity domains based on FAR 52.204-21.
These include:
- Limiting system access to authorized users
- Verifying user identity before granting access
- Sanitizing media before disposal or reuse
- Using antivirus and malware protection
Assessment Requirements
To achieve Level 1 certification, you must complete an annual self-assessment and submit the results to the DoD. C3PAO (Third-Party Assessment Organizations) do not evaluate Level 1, making it an option best suited for contractors and subcontractors that handle FCI but do not manage CUI.
Who Needs CMMC Level 1?
If your organization handles FCI but does not process CUI, you will need CMMC Level 1 certification. This level applies to DoD contractors and subcontractors that provide products or services to the government without managing highly sensitive data.
Level 2: Advanced
CMMC Level 2 is for organizations handling CUI and requires 110 security practices aligned with NIST SP 800-171. These practices focus on strengthening cybersecurity across multiple areas, including:
- Access control and authentication to prevent unauthorized data access
- Incident response procedures to detect and mitigate cyber threats
- Risk management processes to identify and address vulnerabilities
- Encryption and communication security to protect sensitive data
Assessment Requirements
Your Level 2 assessment process depends on how critical the CUI you handle is:
- Critical CUI: If your organization works with CUI critical to national security, you must undergo a third-party assessment by a C3PAO every three years.
- Non-Critical CUI: If your organization handles non-prioritized CUI, you can self-assess every three years.
Who Needs CMMC Level 2?
If your organization handles CUI as a DoD contractor or subcontractor, you must meet Level 2 requirements. However, if your role in the supply chain only requires access to limited CUI, a lower CMMC level may apply.
Level 3: Expert
CMMC Level 3 applies to organizations working on DoD’s highest-priority programs that face Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). It builds on Level 2’s 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls and adds additional security requirements from NIST SP 800-172. At this level, your organization must:
- Develop a cybersecurity strategy with a structured implementation plan
- Implement advanced security controls to protect against sophisticated threats
- Follow DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements, including security incident reporting
Assessment Requirements
To obtain Level 3 certification, your organization must pass a government-led assessment conducted by the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC) every three years. This rigorous evaluation ensures you have the necessary cybersecurity measures to protect highly sensitive DoD information.
Who Needs CMMC Level 3?
Level 3 applies to organizations handling CUI for DoD’s most critical programs. If your organization works with high-value DoD contracts that require maximum security protections, compliance with Level 3 requirements is necessary.
Now that we know what the three levels of CMMC compliance are, let’s discuss the benefits that it can bring to your organization.
Benefits of CMMC Compliance
Achieving CMMC compliance strengthens your organization’s defenses, increases business opportunities, and builds trust within the defense industrial base. Meeting CMMC requirements ensures that your organization is prepared for evolving cyber threats while maintaining eligibility for DoD contracts.
Strengthens Cybersecurity
Implementing the required security controls for your CMMC level reduces the risk of data breaches, cyberattacks, and unauthorized access to CUI.
By following established cybersecurity best practices, your organization not only protects its own systems but also contributes to the overall security of the DoD supply chain.
With rising threats from nation-state actors and cybercriminals, maintaining strong cyber defenses is essential for securing sensitive government data.
Increases Competitive Advantage
CMMC compliance is mandatory for DoD contractors and subcontractors handling CUI. Without certification, your organization cannot bid on or maintain DoD contracts that require security compliance.
Achieving CMMC certification ensures that your business remains eligible for critical defense contracts while giving you a competitive edge over non-compliant organizations.
Builds Trust and Credibility
Demonstrating CMMC compliance signals to the DoD, clients, and partners that your organization prioritizes cybersecurity and data protection.
By proving your ability to safeguard sensitive information, you establish trust and credibility within the defense industry. This not only helps with contract acquisition but also fosters long-term partnerships and strengthens your reputation within the DIB.
Why Achieving CMMC Compliance Matters
While meeting CMMC requirements may seem complex, the benefits far outweigh the challenges.
By proactively implementing security controls, your organization can strengthen its cybersecurity, expand business opportunities, and help protect national security. Taking the right steps toward CMMC certification ensures that your organization remains secure, compliant, and competitive in the evolving defense sector.
How Does CMMC Certification Work?
To achieve CMMC certification, your organization must determine the required level based on the contracts you bid on and the type of information you handle. The DoD specifies the required level in contract requirements or Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
How to Prepare for CMMC Certification: Steps to Get Certified
Here’s a simplified version of the process you’ll need to follow to get CMMC certified:
- Identify Your Required CMMC Level: Review your contracts to determine whether you need Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 compliance.
- Conduct a Gap Assessment: Compare your current cybersecurity measures against CMMC requirements to identify areas that need improvement.
- Implement the Required Security Controls: Update your policies, procedures, and security solutions to meet the necessary cybersecurity standards.
- Document Your Compliance Efforts: Maintain a System Security Plan (SSP) detailing your cybersecurity policies and controls. Additional documentation, such as incident response plans and risk assessments, may also be required.
- Undergo a CMMC Assessment
- Level 1: Annual self-assessment
- Level 2: Self-assessment for non-critical CUI, C3PAO assessment every three years for critical CUI
- Level 3: Government-led DIBCAC assessment every three years
Once your assessment is complete, your organization receives CMMC certification at the appropriate level, demonstrating compliance with DoD security requirements.
Maintaining Compliance
CMMC compliance is ongoing. Your organization must continuously monitor and improve cybersecurity, review policies and procedures, and stay informed about evolving threats and updated CMMC requirements.
Need Help?
Achieving and maintaining CMMC certification can be complex, but BEMO simplifies the process by managing every aspect of compliance for your organization.
From audits, penetration testing, and policy documentation to ensuring all security controls meet DoD standards, BEMO streamlines compliance efficiently.
The automated platform continuously monitors compliance controls, alerts you to non-conformities, and provides real-time insights to keep your organization on track. With a dedicated support team, BEMO helps you maintain compliance standards long after certification.
By outsourcing to BEMO, your organization saves time and resources while ensuring that cybersecurity measures align with CMMC requirements, giving you the confidence to secure and maintain DoD contracts.
Before starting the compliance process, you should familiarize yourself with the 14 CMMC domains.
What Are the CMMC Domains?
CMMC organizes its practices into 14 domains to ensure a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. To avoid any confusion, the new CMMC 2.0 features 14 cybersecurity domains, whereas the older CMMC 1.0 had 17 domains.
Each domain focuses on a specific aspect of cybersecurity, and the practices within each domain become progressively more advanced as you move up the CMMC levels.
The 14 CMMC domains are:
- Access Control (AC): Manages who has access to your systems and data, ensuring that only authorized users can view or modify sensitive information.
Awareness and Training (AT): Ensures that your employees understand their roles and responsibilities in protecting sensitive information and are equipped with the knowledge to do so effectively. - Audit and Accountability (AU): Establishes requirements for monitoring, logging, and reviewing system activity to detect and investigate potential security incidents.
- Configuration Management (CM): Establishes and maintains consistent and secure settings for your systems, applications, and network devices.
- Identification and Authentication (IA): Verifies the identity of users and devices before granting access to your systems and data.
- Incident Response (IR): Develops and implements plans and procedures for detecting, responding to, and recovering from cybersecurity incidents.
- Maintenance (MA): Ensures that your systems and devices are properly maintained and updated to address known vulnerabilities and maintain optimal performance.
- Media Protection (MP): Safeguards physical and digital media containing sensitive information throughout its lifecycle, from creation to destruction.
- Personnel Security (PS): Screens and monitors individuals with access to sensitive information to minimize the risk of insider threats.
- Physical Protection (PE): Secures your facilities and equipment from unauthorized access, tampering, and theft.
- Risk Assessment (RA): Identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks to your organization's cybersecurity posture.
Security Assessment (CA): Regularly evaluates the effectiveness of your cybersecurity controls and processes to identify and address weaknesses. - System and Communications Protection (SC): Secures your network infrastructure and communications channels to prevent unauthorized access and data exfiltration.
- System and Information Integrity (SI): Protects your systems and data from unauthorized modification, deletion, or corruption.
As you work towards CMMC compliance, it's important to understand how these domains apply to your organization and to implement the appropriate controls and processes to safeguard your sensitive information.
By taking a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, you can not only achieve CMMC certification but also strengthen your overall security posture and protect your business from cyber threats.
What Level of CMMC Do I Need?
Your required CMMC level depends on your DoD contracts and the type of data you handle. Here’s what you need to know:
- Level 1: Required if you only handle Federal Contract Information. This level focuses on basic cybersecurity and requires an annual self-assessment.
- Level 2: Needed if you handle Controlled Unclassified Information. Requires 110 NIST SP 800-171 practices and a self-assessment or third-party assessment, depending on whether the CUI is critical to national security.
- Level 3: Required for handling critical CUI or facing Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Builds on Level 2 with additional NIST SP 800-172 controls and requires a government-led assessment by DIBCAC.
Check your DoD contract requirements or consult a CMMC expert to confirm the level your organization needs.
CMMC 2.0 Levels: Final Thoughts
Achieving CMMC compliance is critical for protecting sensitive DoD information, securing contracts, and strengthening your organization’s cybersecurity.
Whether you require Level 1 for basic protections or Level 3 for advanced security, meeting the appropriate CMMC 2.0 requirements ensures your organization remains competitive in the defense supply chain. Understanding the three CMMC levels, 14 cybersecurity domains, and certification process is key to ensuring compliance and mitigating security risks.
CMMC can be complex, but BEMO simplifies the process. The expert team handles everything from gap assessments and audits to policy documentation and penetration testing, ensuring a smooth path to certification. With real-time compliance monitoring and ongoing support, BEMO helps your business maintain cybersecurity standards long after certification.
Achieve compliance with confidence. Book a compliance assessment with BEMO today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Achieve CMMC Certification?
The timeline varies based on your current cybersecurity posture and the CMMC level you need. Most organizations require several months to prepare and undergo assessments.
What Happens If My Organization Fails a CMMC Assessment?
If you fail a third-party or government-led assessment, you will need to remediate deficiencies before reapplying. Working with a CMMC expert like BEMO helps avoid common pitfalls.
How Often Do I Need to Renew CMMC Certification?
Level 1 requires an annual self-assessment. Level 2 requires a triennial C3PAO assessment for critical CUI and a self-assessment for non-critical CUI. Level 3 requires a government-led DIBCAC assessment every three years.
Can Small Businesses Achieve CMMC Compliance?
Yes, but smaller organizations may need external support due to limited resources. BEMO’s automated compliance platform simplifies the process and helps small businesses meet requirements efficiently.
What Is the Penalty for Non-Compliance?
Organizations that fail to meet CMMC requirements will be ineligible for DoD contracts that require compliance. Non-compliance may also expose your organization to security risks and potential breaches.
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