When Is CMMC Compliance Required
What is Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification?
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a Department of Defense initiative that provides a framework for assessing and improving an organization’s cybersecurity posture. The CMMC defines five levels of cybersecurity maturity, with Level 1 representing the least mature and Level 5 representing the most mature.
When is CMMC compliance required?
While the CMMC is not yet mandatory, it is likely that organizations will soon be required to meet its requirements in order to do business with the Department of Defense. The following are ten instances when CMMC compliance is required:
1. When Handling Government Data
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is often required by government agencies when data is being handled. In order to ensure that the data is being protected properly, these agencies will mandate that certain security standards be met.
2. When Conducting Business with the Government
If your business conducts any transactions with the government, you will likely be required to comply with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. This is done in order to protect both your business and the government from cyberattacks.
3. When Protecting Critical Infrastructure
Critical infrastructure, such as energy and transportation systems, are vital to the functioning of society. As such, they need to be protected from cyberattacks. The CMMC helps organizations do just that.
4. When Conducting Business Online
More and more businesses are conducting transactions online. This makes them a target for cybercriminals. In order to stay safe, they need to be Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification compliant and have a CMMC level of 3 or higher.
5. When Meeting the Requirements of Regulators
Certain regulators, such as the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, have specific Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requirements for the organizations they regulate. For example, banks are required to have a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification level of 3 or higher. If your business falls under their jurisdiction, you will need to be compliant.
6. When Processing Credit Card Transactions
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard requires companies that process credit card transactions to meet certain Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification standards. These include implementing firewalls, using anti-virus software, and encrypting data.
7. When Connected to the Internet
Organizations that are connected to the internet are constantly at risk of being attacked because it provides a way to access large amounts of data quickly and easily. In order to protect themselves, they need to be CMMC compliant.
8. When Using Cloud Services
The cloud is a popular target for cybercriminals because it provides a way to access large amounts of data quickly and easily. In order to use cloud services safely, businesses need to be Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification compliant.
9. When Connected to a Network
If your organization is connected to a network, it’s at risk of being attacked because networks are prime targets for cybercriminals. In order to protect your data, you need to have a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification level of 3 or higher.
10. When Using Personal Devices for Business Purposes
More and more people are using their personal devices for work-related tasks. While this can be convenient, it can also be dangerous. Personal devices are not as secure as corporate devices, so it’s important to ensure that they are Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification compliant.
In conclusion, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is required in a variety of situations in order to protect businesses and government agencies from cyberattacks. If you’re not sure whether or not you need to be compliant, contact a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification consultant for assistance. They will be able to help you determine which level of certification is right for your business.
