April 18, 2025
If you're a contractor or subcontractor who handles government information, this acronym will soon impact your business operations in significant ways.
In this post, you'll learn:
Let's dive in before this cybersecurity requirement catches you off guard.
CMMC stands for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.
It's the Department of Defense's standard for implementing security requirements to protect controlled unclassified information (CUI) across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
Think of it as the government's way of ensuring that contractors who handle sensitive information are taking appropriate cybersecurity measures.
But it's not just another compliance checkbox.
CMMC represents a significant shift in how the DoD approaches cybersecurity requirements for its contractors.
Previously, contractors could self-attest to their compliance with cybersecurity standards.
Now, third-party assessments will verify that organizations actually implement the required controls.
The DoD created CMMC for one simple reason: too many contractors weren't properly protecting sensitive government information.
While defense contracts have contained cybersecurity requirements for years through DFARS clause 252.204-7012, many contractors either ignored these requirements or implemented them without the necessary rigor.
The result?
Valuable controlled unclassified information was vulnerable to theft or compromise.
CMMC aims to fix this problem by establishing clear requirements and verification mechanisms.
It's not about making life difficult for contractors.
It's about protecting national security information that, while unclassified, still has significant value to the United States.
The Three CMMC Levels
CMMC consists of three certification levels, each building upon the previous one:
Level 1: Basic Cyber Hygiene
15 basic safeguarding requirements
Required for contractors handling Federal Contract Information (FCI)
Corresponds to FAR 52.204.21 requirements
More comprehensive security controls
Level 3: Advanced Cyber Hygiene
Includes additional controls to address Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
Why You'll Hear More About CMMC in 2025
In early 2025, the DoD is anticipated to begin requiring CMMC certification for every organization that handles CUI.
This isn't something you can implement in a week or two.
When CMMC becomes mandatory on contracts, organizations will face a difficult choice: invest in certification or lose DoD business.
This will trigger what some experts predict will be a "panic" as organizations realize certification is now a business necessity rather than an optional best practice.
CMMC is coming, and it will fundamentally change how defense contractors approach cybersecurity.
While implementing these requirements may seem daunting, especially for smaller organizations, the alternative—losing defense contracts—is often not an option.
The time to start preparing is now.
Understanding what CMMC stands for is just the beginning.
The real work lies in understanding how these requirements apply to your specific organization and taking concrete steps toward implementation and eventual certification.
Your future DoD business depends on it.