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Disclaimer: This was originally published on January 16, 2025 and has since been updated for comprehensiveness.
You can improve your CMMC maturity level by conducting a readiness check, creating a clear roadmap, documenting policies, training your team, strengthening security, and regularly monitoring systems. These steps help close gaps and build strong security.
Achieving higher CMMC maturity levels can be challenging for many CEOs. Your business needs government contracts to grow, but the rules are complex, and the stakes are high.
Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) is a managed IT services provider that helps businesses meet cybersecurity and compliance goals. We have decades of experience guiding companies through frameworks like CMMC. Our experts know what works.
In this article, you’ll learn insights from Sean Harris, ITS’s Chief Security and Risk Officer, and explore the questions:
- Why Do CMMC Maturity Levels Matter for Your Business?
- 6 Best Practices to Improve Your CMMC Maturity Level
By the end of your reading, you’ll have a clear plan to effectively boost your CMMC level.
Why Do CMMC Maturity Levels Matter for Your Business?
CMMC maturity levels decide if you can bid on Department of Defense contracts. Without the right certification, you lose access to valuable opportunities.
The framework protects sensitive government data from cyber threats. It also makes sure contractors meet strict security standards.
Harris explains why proper compliance checks matter. Concerning this, he pointed to a troubling case with Georgia Tech.
"In August 2024," he explained, "it seems certain leaders were reassured with, 'Don't worry, we've got cybersecurity under control.' However, in reality, they didn't. That oversight came to light when whistleblowers within their organization raised concerns. Now, they're facing a major legal and reputational fallout."
This example shows why accurate compliance checks matter. Your reputation depends on it.
Your contracts depend on it. Your business depends on it.
Understanding the Three CMMC Maturity Levels
The CMMC framework has three distinct levels. Each level has specific rules based on the sensitivity of your information.
Level 1
This basic level applies to companies handling Federal Contract Information (FCI). You must meet 17 security requirements, such as access controls and user identification.
Level 2
This level is for companies working with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). You need to satisfy 110 security controls that mirror NIST SP 800-171 standards. Most DoD contractors aim for this level.
Level 3
Level 3 is the highest maturity level that targets DoD's priority programs. It reduces risks from Advanced Persistent Threats. You must meet all Level 2 requirements plus extra controls.
Read More: What Types of Businesses Need CMMC Compliance?
6 Best Practices to Improve Your CMMC Maturity Level
1. Conduct a Full Readiness Check
Start by understanding where you stand today. A readiness check identifies your current security status. It also shows gaps between your systems and CMMC requirements.
It's best practice to contact a third party for evaluations before official audits. By involving an expert, you'll reduce the chances of needing costly re-audits and avoid undetected vulnerabilities.
"It's unrealistic to expect your internal IT team to be experts in every aspect of compliance and security," Harris explained. "Preparing for a CMMC audit requires a deep understanding of the framework and having a third party evaluate your systems beforehand can make all the difference."
"Without this external review, you risk walking into an audit unprepared, which not only jeopardizes your certification but can also result in wasted money and resources," Harris added. "Failing an audit means paying for re-assessments and potentially delaying business opportunities, so investing in a pre-audit review is a smart, cost-effective step to ensure success."
Work with cybersecurity experts to review your infrastructure. They should check your policies, procedures, and technical controls. This gives you a baseline.
You'll know exactly what needs to be fixed.
READ: CMMC Self-Assessment: Can DoD Contractors Do It?
2. Create a Clear Compliance Roadmap
Once you know your gaps, build a detailed plan. Your roadmap should outline specific actions, timelines, and assign responsibilities to individuals. It should also include budget estimates for needed upgrades.
Break large projects into smaller tasks. Set milestones to track progress. This approach keeps everyone on track. It also reduces friction and maintains high productivity.
3. Document Policies and Procedures Well
Documentation is a core CMMC requirement.
Put your security policies in writing. They explain what you do and why, and they prove you follow the procedures consistently.
Once the policies are set, create clear procedures for access control, data handling, incident response, security monitoring, and employee training.
These same documents are what auditors review during an assessment. If anything is missing or unclear, certification is at risk, so keep the set current, approved, and easy to find.
4. Engage Your Team with Regular Training
Cybersecurity depends on people as much as technology. Your staff must understand security risks and best practices. Regular training helps employees recognize threats and respond accordingly.
CMMC standards require ongoing training programs. To ensure you keep up with this requirement, you must:
- hold quarterly security awareness sessions
- test employees with simulated phishing attacks
- provide refresher courses when policies change
Read More: How to Become a Cybersecurity Champion for Your Organization
5. Strengthen Security Controls to Close Gaps
After planning and documenting, implement technical safeguards. It’s a good practice to focus on:
- multi-factor authentication
- data encryption
- network segmentation
- automated patch management
- incident response procedures
These measures significantly improve your CMMC score. As noted by the Department of Defense CIO, the proper use of these controls prevents the most common attacks.
6. Implement Continuous Monitoring and Improvement
Cyber threats are constantly evolving, so your security framework must adapt to these changes.
Continuous monitoring helps you find vulnerabilities before they become breaches. To achieve this, you must set up automated security monitoring tools that track network activity, user behavior, and system health.
Additionally, you should schedule regular vulnerability checks and run penetration tests yearly.
Harris highlighted the dangers of relying solely on internal assessments, especially when organizations are unaware of their actual compliance status – like the unfortunate high-profile case of Georgia Tech.
"In August 2024," he explained, "it seems certain leaders were reassured with, 'Don’t worry, we’ve got cybersecurity under control.' But in reality, they didn’t. That oversight came to light when whistleblowers within their organization raised concerns. Now, they’re facing a major legal and reputational fallout."
Ready to Improve Your CMMC Compliance?
Improving CMMC maturity has several challenges. You may lack clear processes or in-house experts. Balancing compliance with business operations can also be difficult.
The solution needs a structured approach. Start with a readiness check. Define a clear roadmap. Empower your team through training. Strengthen security controls. Adopt continuous improvement practices.
At ITS, we help businesses reach cybersecurity and compliance goals every day. Our team includes certified CMMC professionals with in-depth technical expertise.
We understand the challenges you face. We've guided hundreds of companies through this process.
Ready to advance your CMMC maturity level? Schedule a meeting with us today for a tailored CMMC compliance consultation.
Check out additional CMMC resources on our Learning Center:
- CMMC Certification: How Long Does It Take to Get Certified?
- How Much Does CMMC Compliance Cost? (& Is It Worth It?)
- Why You Shouldn't Delay Your CMMC 2.0 Compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to improve CMMC maturity levels?
A: Most organizations need 6-12 months to prepare for Level 2 certification. Larger companies with complex systems may need more time.
Q: What is the biggest challenge in achieving CMMC compliance?
A: Resource allocation is often the biggest hurdle. You need a budget for new tools, staff training, and expert consultants.
Q: Do small businesses need CMMC certification?
A: Yes, if you work with the Department of Defense or its contractors. You must meet CMMC requirements regardless of your company's size.
Q: Can I improve my CMMC maturity level without hiring consultants?
A: It is possible, but it requires significant internal expertise and time. Most companies significantly benefit from working with certified CMMC professionals who speed up the process.
Q: What happens if I fail my CMMC assessment?
A: You cannot bid on new DoD contracts that require certification. You must address the identified gaps and schedule a re-assessment.
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