Meeting CMMC 2.0 Requirements Using MSSPs and MSPs

1. Managing CMMC 2.0 Requirements

Being CMMC 2.0 certified isn’t just about meeting the CMMC 2.0 requirements. It also includes continually managing them to remain in line with various requirements. Unfortunately, as stated above, some contractors lack the resources to manage the CMMC 2.0 requirements fully. Since managing CMMC requirements is a full-time job, enlisting the help of Managed MSPs and MSSPs can go a long way. These service providers specialize in NIST 800-171 and CMMC 2.0, meaning they are uniquely positioned to help your organization achieve compliance and manage the CMMC 2.0 requirements.

2. Assessing Your Network For Gaps And Vulnerabilities

The first step towards achieving the CMMC 2.0 requirements is determining your current status. This involves conducting a complete evaluation of the existing processes and infrastructure to determine any underlying vulnerabilities or exploitable gaps.

Doing the assessment in-house isn’t enough since there is a high chance of missing something or overlooking an issue that a third party would otherwise not overlook. MSPs and MSSPs play a critical role in this evaluation. They provide a fresh perspective into your process and infrastructure security through running various external vulnerability scans. Some might also go over and beyond by performing network penetration testing.

3. Developing A Tailored Cybersecurity Plan

Corporations differ in size, the CUI they handle, and infrastructural systems in use. The technology architectures also differ significantly between cloud-hosted resources. Additionally, different contractors have varying goals, priorities, and competencies. However, they all need to be CMMC 2.0 certified if they handle CUI, meaning your organization needs a unique approach towards meeting those requirements.

However, this doesn’t mean that you must address everything in-house. For example, things like Migrating to Microsoft GCC high could take you months to finish without guaranteeing that your migrations are secure. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Service Security Providers (MSSPs) can help your organization tailor a tamperproof cybersecurity plan through their s experience and strategy. They do all this with a special emphasis on reporting stipulated in DFARS 7012.

4. Implementing the Latest Security Measures

CMMC 2.0 compliance requires implementing the latest security measures and standards, although they are lacking in some organizations. Security shouldn’t be left to chance in this age of constantly changing cyber threats. Outsourcing critical security operations such as intrusion detection and prevention, SIEM (Security Information & Event Management), and many others to MSSPs ensures that your CUI is protected using the latest standards by the cybersecurity-specialized organization.

5. Raising Awareness Through Cybersecurity Consultancy

Although cybersecurity is thought of as a purely technical issue, this might indeed be the most common mistake. Regardless of the contractor’s size, everyone is a potential target of cybercrimes like phishing scams. MSSPs and MSPs don’t just offer technical solutions. They also come up the IT-related compliance demands. Security awareness and training are critical requirements in CMMC 2.0, especially level 1.

The employees can properly report incidences, protect the media, become situationally aware, and ensure system and information integrity through security and awareness training. Coincidentally, cyber incident reporting and safeguarding Covered Defense Information (CDI) are the main components of DFARS 252.204-7012. Hence, through awareness training and cybersecurity consultancy, MSSPs and MSPs help you achieve one of the underlying regulations that CMMC 2.0 supports.

6. Developing Plans of Actions and Milestones

In CMMC 2.0, Plans of Actions and Milestones were introduced. These POA&Ms enable contractors who haven’t met all the cybersecurity requirements during the assessment period to keep working with DoD while implementing their plans to get certified. However, the POA&Ms must meet a specific number of cybersecurity requirements specified by the DOD. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Service Security Providers (MSSPs) can help you in developing solid Plans of Actions and Milestones (POA&Ms), meaning that you can continue working with the DoD as you undertake the steps to be CMMC certified.