CMMC for Small Business
As small businesses face the requirements of the CMMC, they’ll quickly realize the need for careful, planning to meet the latest benchmarks. CMMC introduces a major shift in cybersecurity that will strengthen American businesses’ infrastructure, but not without considerable work.
Improving Cybersecurity Protection
The Department of Defense has developed the framework to better equip Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractors as they pursue contracts with both government and non-government agencies.
The requirements aim to greatly strengthen cyber protection by including NIST SP 800-171 standards, along with ISO 27001, AIA MAS 9933, FIPS, and others. Additionally, the program acknowledges the need for security levels based on business practices.
Those dealing with low-risk industries will be subject to fewer compliance requirements than high-risk organizations.
Businesses will be subject to independent audits to certify compliance to CMMC levels. Further, contract requests will be required to list compliance levels at the RFP stage, and only companies who qualify for the lowest acceptable level or higher will be able to bid for those projects.
What is CMMC Compliance?
Consulting Support for CMMC Compliance
At Core, we offer a modular approach to certification. We break the requirements down into two broad categories: organizational and technical. We provide NIST/CMMC training for your employees, your management, and your IT Team or MSP (if you outsource your IT needs).
We also help you with your guided self-assessment.
We will help you develop your System Security Plan (SSP), Plan of Action and Milestones (POAM), Roadmap, and budget. Core Business Solutions is a NIST/CMMC registered practitioner organization (RPO). Click to view CBS CMMC Consulting Offering Sheet Link.
The Time is Now for CMMC Compliance
What are the Recommendations for Preparing for CMMC Compliance?
Understand your Company’s Security Needs
As expressed above, companies will only need to comply with the level of security necessary for their business network. However, remember that not meeting your potential customers’ minimum requirements could result in losing contracts.
Determine exactly what information in your organization, if compromised, could put you or your stakeholders at risk. If you’re not handling classified or sensitive information, CMMC levels one or two may be sufficient for your needs.
Take a comprehensive look at the information you handle and make an initial assessment of the work required.
Perform an Assessment
Examining the information you use and store will give you a jump start on the exploration of your existing security programs and protocol. Use the momentum of your first task (determining your security needs) to dig into the processes you have in place. With help from a third-party CMMC Consultant, you can complete an assessment. This will help you to identify potential inconsistencies and lapses in your current security systems and practices. The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Handbook 171 is a great resource for any company certifying to CMMC up to level three.
Partner with a CMMC Expert
CMMC consultants (like us) are experts in the current CMMC requirements. CMMC consultants can help you whether you need a full program overhaul or just a handful of calculated adjustments. Allowing a third-party organization to evaluate your cybersecurity systems gives you an objective view of any weaknesses, along with expert recommendations for improvements.
Financial Assistance for CMMC Compliance
It can be intimidating for small businesses to approach requirements for CMMC. Time, resources, and, especially cost come into question as you determine the next best steps to take toward CCMC compliance. Rest assured that the DoD does not want cost to be a barrier – financial assistance is available to help with initial certification, and any remaining expense can be rolled into each company’s billable rate.
Change is inevitable – the only constant. With increasing cybersecurity threats to our businesses and our nation, the adoption of CMMC requirements will ensure the safety and longevity of our American small businesses far into the future.
Contact us today about working toward compliance with NIST 800-171/CMMC.
Core Business Solutions, established in 2000, is a Registered Practitioner Organization through the Cyber AB and has been providing consulting and technical solutions for NIST/CMMC for over 5 years. Rick Krick is the Director of Security Solutions for Core Business Solutions and directs our Cybersecurity Services solutions including CMMC. Rick has over 25 years of experience in Management System implementations, software development, IT services, and certifications.
