masthead-background-img

Understanding the 3 Levels of CMMC 2.0 and How to Achieve Each

01 Understanding The 3 Levels Of Cmmc 20 And How To Achieve Each 1

In the dynamic field of cybersecurity, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is soon to be a vital framework. CMMC ensures organizations entrusted with federal data fortify their cybersecurity defenses as the digital landscape evolves.

Especially crucial for IT contractors partnering with federal organizations, CMMC is the data security foundation in this sector. With the recent shift to CMMC 2.0, it’s vital to understand the intricacies of its three levels.

CMMC 2.0 simplifies the framework by reducing the original five levels of CMMC 1.0 to three, enhancing its accessibility for organizations. Additionally, CMMC 2.0 incorporates specific security measures tailored to the Department of Defense’s (DoD) needs, emphasizing its focus on critical defense supply chains.

This blog offers in-depth insights into CMMC 2.0 levels, providing comprehensive insights into each tier’s requirements. Whether you’re seeking clarity or part of a team needing training, understanding these levels is pivotal. 

What Are the CMMC Levels?

The levels of CMMC 2.0 define the cybersecurity readiness of organizations working with federal agencies, especially for IT contractors. These levels help ensure sensitive data is adequately protected throughout the supply chain.

CMMC 2.0 offers a streamlined approach, condensing the previous five levels into three for clarity and practicality. Each level builds upon the previous one, progressively enhancing cybersecurity practices.

If you’re wondering whether you can self-certify for CMMC or not, be aware that self-assessment will not be entirely sufficient upon implementation of CMMC 2.0. While annual self-assessments will be a component of CMMC 2.0 Levels 1 and 2, assessments by Certified Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) will be an important part of the compliance process. So, what CMMC level do you need? Your organization’s specific CMMC level depends on the nature of your work and the sensitivity of the information you handle for federal agencies.

CMMC Level 1: Foundational

CMMC Level 1 represents the initial rung of the CMMC 2.0 ladder. This level serves as the primary, foundational layer of CMMC compliance. While it might be considered the starting point, it’s anything but trivial.

Level 1 lays the groundwork for establishing essential cybersecurity practices within an organization. Its requirements ensure even organizations with limited resources and relatively low cybersecurity risk can effectively protect sensitive government data.

Who Needs CMMC Level 1?

Level 1 is primarily aimed at organizations that handle Federal Contract Information but are not classified as part of the critical infrastructure. In practice, this category encompasses a broad spectrum of businesses and government agencies. While not handling classified data, these organizations deal with government information. Level 1 compliance is a fundamental step to secure this data.

CMMC Level 1 Requirements

CMMC Level 1 entails adherence to 17 specific controls detailed in FAR 52.204-21. These controls encompass a range of essential cybersecurity practices, such as:

  • Access control: Managing who can access systems and data.
  • Password management: Enforcing secure password policies.
  • System updates: Keeping software and systems up-to-date with security patches.
  • Malware protection: Implementing measures to detect and prevent malware.
  • Incident response: Developing procedures to address and report security incidents.
  • Physical security: Safeguarding physical access to sensitive areas and assets.
  • Data protection: Implementing measures to protect data integrity and confidentiality.
  • Employee training: Providing cybersecurity awareness training to staff.

These basic requirements are the foundation of your organization’s cybersecurity. Level 1 serves as an essential starting point, securing data and readiness for higher CMMC 2.0 levels. Reaching and keeping CMMC Level 1 ensures government compliance and strengthens cybersecurity. Progressing to higher levels builds on this foundation for advanced security maturity.

02 Cmmc Level 2 Advanced 1

CMMC Level 2: Advanced

CMMC Level 2 signifies the intermediate tier of the CMMC 2.0 framework. At this stage, organizations are expected to have established a more robust cybersecurity posture than Level 1.

While Level 1 focuses on foundational practices, Level 2 delves deeper into advanced cybersecurity hygiene. Achieving Level 2 compliance is a significant step toward enhancing an organization’s ability to safeguard sensitive information.

Who Needs CMMC Level 2?

Level 2 compliance is necessary for organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within critical infrastructure sectors like energy, water, and transportation — where protecting sensitive government data is vital. Organizations that reach Level 2 have demonstrated a commitment to securing CUI and ensuring the resilience of their critical systems.

CMMC Level 2 Requirements

CMMC Level 2 encompasses a comprehensive set of cybersecurity practices derived from NIST SP 800-171. These practices include 110 requirements covering various aspects of cybersecurity, such as:

  • Access control: Implementing stringent controls over who can access systems and data.
  • Incident response: Developing robust procedures for detecting, reporting and responding to security incidents.
  • Risk management: Identifying, assessing and mitigating cybersecurity risks effectively.
  • Physical security: Bolstering physical access controls to secure critical assets.
  • System and information integrity: Ensuring the integrity and authenticity of system information.
  • Audit and accountability: Maintaining detailed records of system activities for analysis and review.
  • Security training: Providing advanced cybersecurity training to personnel.
  • Configuration management: Managing and controlling system configurations to minimize vulnerabilities.

Level 2 demands advanced cybersecurity measures and safeguarding critical data and infrastructure. Level 2 certification reflects a strong cybersecurity commitment, opening doors to federal contracts with CUI requirements.

CMMC Level 3: Expert

CMMC Level 3 represents the pinnacle of cybersecurity readiness within the CMMC 2.0 framework. It is the highest level of certification an organization can achieve, emphasizing an elite level of expertise and stringent cybersecurity measures.

Level 3 builds upon the foundation of Level 2 and adds additional layers of security, making it suitable for organizations entrusted with the most sensitive government information.

Who Needs CMMC Level 3?

Level 3 compliance is mandatory for organizations that handle CUI as part of their involvement in critical DoD contracts. As part of critical infrastructure, these organizations manage CUI and highly sensitive DoD projects. Level 3 ensures the highest security for CUI.

CMMC Level 3 Requirements

CMMC Level 3 incorporates the most comprehensive set of cybersecurity requirements, drawing from FAR 52.204-21 and NIST SP 800-171 and introducing additional practices from NIST SP 800-172. Organizations aiming to achieve Level 3 compliance must meet over 110 security practices that encompass:

  • Access control: Includes authentication, encryption, and session termination for comprehensive access protection.
  • Awareness and training: Demands thorough security awareness training to spot and report insider threats.
  • Audit and accountability: Involves regular event review, audit information protection, and correlation for incident investigation.
  • Configuration management: Focuses on defining system access, minimizing access, and using blacklisting and whitelisting measures.
  • Identification and authentication: Enforces multi-factor authentication (MFA), prevents credential reuse, and disables idle accounts.
  • Incident response: Requires incident tracking, documentation, reporting, and regular response capability testing.
  • Maintenance: Mandates equipment sanitization and media monitoring for malicious code.
  • Media protection: Covers media marking, disallows ambiguous storage devices, uses cryptography, and restricts access to media with CUI.
  • Personnel security: Screens and clears personnel to reduce insider threat risk.
  • Physical protection: Expands safeguards to alternative work sites to secure information.
  • Risk management: Includes risk assessments, mitigation planning, and managing unsupported vendor products.
  • Security assessment: Monitors existing controls and conducts independent security assessments.
  • Situational awareness: Collects, analyzes, and shares external cyber threat intelligence to enhance security awareness.
  • System and communications protection: Involves cryptography, user functionality separation, and secure network traffic management.
  • System and information integrity: Requires spam detection, forgery prevention, and sandboxing for email security.

Level 3 requires the highest cybersecurity maturity, emphasizing advanced aspects like threat detection, response, and secure data handling. Level 3 certification shows a commitment to excellence and establishes trust for DoD contracts requiring top-tier security.

03 CTA Achieve Your Cmmc Compliance With Bti 1

Achieve Your CMMC Compliance With BTI

Upon its official implementation, CMMC compliance will be your cybersecurity shield in federal contracting and the key to unlocking federal opportunities. At Business Transformation Institute, we prioritize consulting on how to achieve CMMC 2.0 levels

Whether you’re entering the realm of CMMC complianceseeking specialized training, or preparing for a rigorous CMMC assessment, BTI offers customized services. Our experts will assess your cybersecurity posture, develop robust policies and procedures, and implement the necessary controls for full compliance.

Secure your federal contracts with confidence. Contact BTI today to commence your journey toward CMMC excellence with confidence.

Previous ArticleHow to Conduct a CMMC Gap Analysis Next ArticleWhat Is CMMI™? A Complete Guide to the Framework