CMMC Compliance

Who needs CMMC accreditation?

Once CMMC 2.0 goes into effect, any organization in the DoD supply chain, including subcontractors at any tier or other derived funding and even those that do not come in contact with CUI, must comply with one of CMMC 2.0’s three Maturity Levels. Your contractual obligations, based on your interactions with CUI and the nature of the work performed, will determine which Maturity Level accreditation you will need.

What is CMMC 2.0?

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 is a revised cybersecurity framework that evaluates and enforces the effective implementation of security controls defined in National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-171 (NIST SP 800-171) by any organization in the DoD supply chain. NIST SP 800-171 is the current security standard mandated by the DoD for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal information systems and organizations, and it serves as the foundation for CMMC 2.0 compliance.

Successful CMMC accreditation verifies that a company’s cybersecurity practices and processes are mature, resilient, persistent, and aligned with NIST SP 800-171 controls.

When will CMMC compliance be required?

CMMC compliance is expected to be required for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts beginning in 2025. This follows the release of the final CMMC 2.0 rule in October 2024, which establishes the certification as a formal requirement for organizations within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).

CMMC 2.0 will be implemented through a phased rollout from 2025 to 2028, gradually appearing in more DoD contract solicitations yearly. The first regulation (32 CFR) defines the CMMC program and took effect on December 16, 2024. The second regulation (48 CFR), which updates the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to enforce CMMC as a contract requirement, is expected to be finalized by mid-2025.

Once both rules are active, contractors and subcontractors bidding on applicable DoD contracts will be required to meet the appropriate CMMC level (Level 1, 2, or 3), depending on the type of information they handle—Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Important: The certification process can take several months, especially at Levels 2 and 3. With limited CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) available, businesses are strongly encouraged to begin preparations now to avoid delays and maintain contract eligibility.

Why is CMMC 2.0 compliance important for organizations in the Defense Industrial Base?

CMMC 2.0 is required to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and maintain eligibility for Department of Defense contracts. It demonstrates that your organization meets critical cybersecurity standards, helping you avoid disqualification, reduce risk, and build trust with government and prime contractor partners.

The relationship between NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 is direct. NIST SP 800-171 identifies 110 controls for protecting CUI, while CMMC 2.0 verifies the proper and continuous implementation and execution of these controls through its CMMC certification process.

CMMC 2.0 compliance enhances the defense industry’s cybersecurity posture by adopting a comprehensive, consistent, and verifiable approach to and application of cybersecurity across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), better safeguarding CUI against threats.

How long does it take to get ready for CMMC?

Getting ready to meet the standard takes time – more than most companies anticipate, especially with a C3PAO ultimately conducting the audit. Achieving CMMC compliance can take businesses 6-12+ months depending on their current cybersecurity hygiene, making it imperative to begin preparations before CMMC 2.0 certification is mandated. Companies must comply with CMMC 2.0 and have their accreditation once the rule goes into effect and is included in contracts.