Contractors and subcontractors that haven’t completed the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) are now on the clock to complete it before an approaching deadline. The CMMC is a data privacy framework issued by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) in 2019 for contractors working with the department. It is designed to protect classified data and improve the cyber security posture of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) by establishing a standard set of requirements that all contractors must meet.
Why Is It Important?
Contractors must act urgently and start the certification process immediately to ensure compliance by the fast-approaching deadline of January 2025. Completing a CMMC takes 12-18 months, and only a few dozen firms can help prepare the over 80,000 government contractors for the certification. Not only is it crucial to complete this certification, but it can also benefit organizations in the following ways:
- Decrease the severity of cyberattacks on DoD contractors and subcontractors
- Protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, or destruction
- Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cybersecurity risk management
The Risk of Not Completing a CMMC:
Loss of contracts: The DoD has stated they will not award contracts to organizations that have not completed the certification, which can lead to a significant impact on business.
Increased risk of cyberattacks: Organizations that do not assess their cyber security become susceptible to data loss, identity theft, unauthorized access to network resources, systems, and resources, and implementation of malware that can lead to ransom attacks, stolen information, and other destructive actions.
Loss of customer confidence: Naturally, the government is concerned about the security of its data. A lack of a strong cyber security posture can lead to a loss of confidence in your company, which could result in lost sales and revenue.
How Calvetti Ferguson Can Help Your Organization Prepare for the CMMC
Our qualified team will work with your organization to navigate the complexities of the CMMC to prepare you for the certification process. Through our technology advisory services, we can help you assess the level of classified data you have access to, determine where classified data is being stored and processed, put together a readiness plan for identifying any gaps, and help remediate those gaps prior to the official audit. Our team will take you through the following steps in order to deliver on our commitments:
- Data classification
- Identification of networks and systems with your data
- Readiness assessment against controls
- Gap analysis and remediation plan
- Optional retesting
Contact Us
Calvetti Ferguson works with middle-market companies, private equity firms, and high-net-worth individuals nationwide. Regardless of the complexity of the compliance, assurance, advisory, or accounting need, our team is ready to help you. Please complete the form below, and we will follow up with you shortly.