How to Keep CMMC Affordable

Navigating CMMC Compliance: Cost, Tools, and Strategies for Small Businesses

For small businesses aiming to work with the Department of Defense (DoD) or prime defense contractors, achieving compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) can present challenges and opportunities.

This page and webinar delve into the critical aspects of preparing for CMMC, from expected costs to the importance of narrowing the scope and making informed decisions about tools.

What Are the Expected Costs When Preparing for CMMC?

Achieving CMMC compliance involves a range of costs, many of which can be categorized into the following areas:

Assessment Costs

Hiring a third-party assessment organization (C3PAO) is a necessary step to evaluate compliance levels. These assessments can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the organization’s size and complexity.

Training and Workforce Development

Employees must be trained on CMMC requirements and cybersecurity best practices. Costs include both training materials and the time invested in educating staff.

Documentation and Policy Development

Developing comprehensive documentation to demonstrate compliance is critical. Businesses may need to hire consultants or dedicate internal resources to create, update, and maintain policies and procedures.

Infrastructure Upgrades

Some organizations may need to upgrade IT infrastructure, such as networks, servers, or endpoints, to meet stringent CMMC standards. This can include both hardware and software investments.

What Specific Costs Should Businesses Prepare for When Considering Security Solutions and Tools?

When investing in cybersecurity solutions, businesses should account for the following:

Security Software Licenses

Recurring costs for software like antivirus programs, intrusion detection systems, and encryption tools can increase over time.

Hardware Investments

Physical security hardware such as firewalls, encrypted storage devices, and secure routers may be required to meet compliance standards.

Managed Security Services

Outsourcing cybersecurity management to specialized service providers can offload some of the burden but comes with ongoing costs.

Incident Response Planning

Preparing for cybersecurity incidents involves developing and testing response plans, which can require additional resources or external support.

Why Is It Important to Narrow Your Scope With CMMC?

By narrowing the scope of compliance, businesses can focus their efforts and reduce costs:

Defining Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

Understanding what qualifies as CUI and where it resides is essential for limiting compliance efforts to relevant areas.

Risk Management

A narrower scope means fewer vulnerabilities to address, reducing overall risk.

Compliance Efficiency

Focusing only on critical systems and processes can streamline compliance activities and make them more manageable.

Cost Savings

A reduced scope directly translates into lower costs for assessments, tools, and infrastructure upgrades.

Questions to Help Narrow the Scope

• • What types of CUI does your organization handle, and where is it stored?
  • Which departments or teams handle CUI the most?
  • Are there redundant processes or systems that can be consolidated?
  • How does your current cybersecurity posture align with CMMC requirements?
  • Can non-essential systems or data be isolated from the CMMC scope?

Making Informed Decisions About Tools

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Assess the ROI of tools by comparing long-term savings against upfront costs.

Scalability

Choose solutions that can adapt as your business grows and compliance requirements evolve.

Integration Capabilities

Opt for tools that seamlessly integrate with existing systems to minimize disruptions.

User-Friendliness

Prioritize tools that are intuitive and require minimal training for employees.

Alternatives to Extensive Network Upgrades

Upgrading Existing Network

Enhancing current infrastructure ensures full control but can be costly and time-intensive.

CMMC-Compliant Enclaves

Specialized solutions like “CORE Vault” provide a ready-made compliance environment, reducing the need for extensive internal upgrades.

Understanding CMMC and NIST Requirements

CMMC Levels

Familiarize yourself with the different levels of CMMC (1-3) and their respective requirements.

NIST SP 800-171 Controls

Understand the 110 controls outlined by NIST and how they relate to CMMC compliance.

Overlap and Differences

Recognize where CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 align and differ to streamline implementation.

Practical Implementation

Learn from case studies of businesses that successfully achieved compliance.

Conclusion

CMMC compliance, while challenging, is an opportunity for small businesses to enhance their cybersecurity posture and remain competitive in the defense contracting space. By understanding costs, narrowing the scope, strategically selecting tools, and leveraging existing systems, businesses can reduce the burden of compliance and maximize ROI. With the right approach and preparation, achieving CMMC certification can be a manageable and worthwhile investment.