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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
Your Level 2 assessment process depends on how critical the CUI you handle is:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Here’s a simplified version of the process you’ll need to follow to get CMMC certified:
Once your assessment is complete, your organization receives CMMC certification at the appropriate level, demonstrating compliance with DoD security requirements.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Your required CMMC level depends on your DoD contracts and the type of data you handle. Here’s what you need to know:
Check your DoD contract requirements or consult a CMMC expert to confirm the level your organization needs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.