CMMC Compliance
Manufacturing Industry
Manufacturers in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) play a critical role in supporting U.S. defense and national security. As part of the defense supply chain, they handle sensitive data, including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI), making them prime targets for cyberattacks.
To address this, the Department of Defense (DoD) has made CMMC compliance mandatory for all contractors and subcontractors working with the DoD, including manufacturers.
In addition to CMMC, manufacturers must also comply with DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement), which mandates the protection of CUI as outlined in NIST SP 800-171.
DataSure24 is an RPO (Registered Practitioner Organization) for CMMC, with a number of Lead CCA, CCA, and CCP credentialed resources on hand. As an RPO, we are tasked with performing readiness assessments to help ensure that companies comply with CMMC and DFARS requirements.
We assist with identifying security gaps, implementing necessary controls, and preparing for formal audits. Our goal is to make the certification process as smooth as possible, allowing manufacturers to continue their critical work with the DoD.
Unlock New Opportunities by Meeting CMMC Standards
What is CMMC?
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a framework established by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure the cybersecurity practices of defense contractors meet a certain standard.
CMMC is designed to safeguard controlled unclassified information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI) across the defense supply chain by requiring organizations to demonstrate their cybersecurity maturity.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, the DoD seeks to ensure that all contractors and subcontractors handling sensitive data are protecting it adequately. This is particularly critical to maintaining national security and the integrity of DoD operations.
CMMC Levels: Foundational, Advanced, and Expert
The CMMC model consists of three levels, each with specific requirements based on the type of information contractors handle. These levels are designed to provide varying degrees of protection for FCI and CUI, which are crucial to national defense.
Level 1: Foundational – Basic Safeguarding of FCI
Scope: This level applies to companies working with Federal Contract Information (FCI) only.
Requirements: Contractors must implement 15 basic security controls from FAR clause 52.204-21. These controls help protect FCI from unauthorized access and ensure foundational cybersecurity practices are followed.
Assessment: Level 1 compliance is validated through an annual self-assessment and affirmation of compliance.
Level 2: Advanced – Broad Protection of CUI
Scope: This level applies to companies handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Requirements: Contractors must align with the security controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171, which includes 110 security controls. The requirements at this level are intended to ensure that CUI is adequately protected from unauthorized access, both inside and outside the organization.
Assessment: Contractors will undergo either an annual self-assessment or an assessment by a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) every three years, depending on the contract's requirements.
Level 3: Expert – Protection of CUI Against Advanced Persistent Threats
Scope: This level is designed for companies working with high-priority DoD programs that handle CUI.
Requirements: Level 3 compliance builds on the security controls from NIST SP 800-171 and incorporates a subset of controls from NIST SP 800-172, specifically focused on Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs).
Assessment: Contractors must pass an assessment conducted by the Defense Contract Management Agency's (DCMA) Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC) every three years and provide annual affirmations of compliance.
CMMC Phased Implementation Timeline
The DoD will gradually implement CMMC compliance requirements in four phases:
Phase 1: Begins in April 2025 with the CMMC Acquisition final rule. It includes the requirement for CMMC Level 1 (Self) or Level 2 (Self) for applicable contracts. DoD may also include Level 2 (C3PAO) or Level 1 for option periods.
Phase 2: Starts one year after Phase 1, in April 2026. Contractors may be required to have CMMC Level 2 (C3PAO) status for contract awards, with the potential inclusion of Level 3 (DIBCAC).
Phase 3: One year after Phase 2, in April 2027, requiring CMMC Level 2 (C3PAO) and Level 3 (DIBCAC) for new contracts and option periods.
Phase 4: Full implementation begins one year after Phase 3, in April 2028, applying CMMC requirements to all DoD contracts, including those with option periods.
CMMC Scoping: Understanding Your Compliance Requirements
CMMC scoping is the process of defining which parts of an organization’s operations need to be included in the CMMC certification process. This is crucial because not all systems or information handled by a manufacturer will require the same level of protection.
What’s Covered?
Manufacturers must determine which systems process, store, or transmit CUI and FCI and whether they need to be covered under CMMC certification. For instance, systems that deal with highly sensitive CUI may require a higher CMMC level.
How Scoping Works
Scoping helps identify which contracts or departments are subject to specific security controls based on the type of data they handle. For example, a manufacturer working with both FCI and CUI would likely need to be certified at Level 2, but only the systems handling CUI may be subject to the full set of CMMC controls.
Determining the Right Level
The level of CMMC certification depends on the types of contracts and information processed. Manufacturers must carefully assess their operations to ensure compliance with the correct CMMC level—whether that’s Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.
DataSure24 provides expert guidance on scoping, helping manufacturers determine which systems, processes, and contracts require certification and ensuring compliance with the appropriate CMMC level.
Get Ready for CMMC Compliance
With the April 2025 deadline fast approaching, manufacturers must act now. DataSure24 offers readiness assessments to help manufacturers meet CMMC and DFARS requirements, ensuring a smooth certification process. Contact us today to get started!
Are You Struggling to Meet CMMC Compliance?
You’re unsure how to begin preparing for a CMMC audit.
Your team is overwhelmed by the technical and administrative requirements.
Compliance gaps keep surfacing no matter how much you try to patch them.
Why Work With DataSure24?
How It Works
Scoping: Identify which systems, processes and contracts require CMMC Certification based on the type of data they handle.
Identify Gaps: We assess your business practices for CMMC compliance.
Tailored Solutions: Recommend services and technologies to meet requirements.
Readiness Assessment: Conduct assessments to ensure audit preparation.
Implementation & Support: Guide you through implementation for certification.
Let’s Get Started
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