Is the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) process bringing more headaches than it should? Are the different versions, rulings, and requirements taking resources away from your core business?
In a perfect world, CMMC regulations would be easy to understand – but unfortunately, CMMC isn’t an easy process to comply with.
At Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS), we specialize in guiding organizations like yours through compliance landscapes, offering expertise in cybersecurity, compliance, and risk management tailored to business needs.
In this article, you’ll find a practical approach to assess your CMMC maturity level and best practices for boosting compliance efficiently. You’ll get tips to enhance your maturity level, and insights from ITS’s Senior VP for Cybersecurity, Sean Harris, to make your CMMC journey smoother.
1. Establish a Baseline with a Readiness Assessment
One of the first steps to understanding your CMMC maturity level is conducting a readiness assessment. A readiness assessment evaluates your organization’s current practices, technologies, and procedures against CMMC requirements.
This assessment highlights gaps in areas such as access controls, incident response, and data protection—revealing what steps are necessary to reach your desired level of maturity.
You’ll have to watch out though – many companies unintentionally overestimate their CMMC readiness if they do an internal audit.
However, upon closer examination, outside professionals like IT consultants and MSPs (Managed IT Service Providers) frequently discovered that the company’s actual compliance level is lower than reported.
It’s best practice to contact a third-party for evaluations before undergoing official audits. By involving an expert, you’ll reduce the chances you’ll need costly re-audits and experience 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. 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."
READ: Can You Perform a CMMC Self-Assessment?
2. Prioritize Compliance Goals Based on Business Needs
CMMC includes three maturity levels, each with distinct cybersecurity requirements. Align your compliance goals with your business objectives and the level of security your contracts demand.
For example, if you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), you will need to aim for at least CMMC Level 2. Prioritizing your objectives ensures that resources are directed where they matter most.
3. Create a Detailed Improvement Roadmap
With gaps identified, create an improvement roadmap outlining specific actions, timelines, and responsibilities.
This roadmap should detail which policies need updating, technologies to implement, and which teams need training. Ensuring that milestones are clear and achievable allows for measurable progress while maintaining operational stability.
4. Engage Your Team with Ongoing Training and Development
Cybersecurity is as much about people as it is about technology.
One common pitfall CEOs encounter is underestimating the value of a well-informed team. Regular training sessions and cybersecurity awareness programs can help your staff recognize and respond to threats effectively.
In fact, CMMC standards mandate training to ensure personnel are prepared to manage and lessen security risks.
5. Strengthen Security Controls to Close Compliance Gaps
With the right policies in place, the next step is to bolster your security measures. Key areas include multi-factor authentication (MFA), encryption protocols, access management, and incident response planning. Strengthening these controls can drastically improve your CMMC score and your organization’s overall security posture.
READ: 10 Simple and Practical Ways to Secure Your Business Network
6. Implement Continuous Monitoring and Improvement
Cyber threats evolve, and so should your security framework. Adopting a continuous monitoring strategy allows your team to detect vulnerabilities and respond to potential threats proactively.
Regular audits and vulnerability assessments keep your company up to date on CMMC requirements, especially as your compliance needs change.
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."
How Can CEOs Effectively Improve Their CMMC Maturity Level?
Many CEOs struggle with CMMC compliance because it requires a blend of strategic planning, technical expertise, and resource allocation.
You'll need to bridge the knowledge gap, integrate cybersecurity into the company culture, and allocate resources without disrupting day-to-day operations.
1. Partnership with Cybersecurity Experts
Engaging with compliance experts like ITS ensures you have access to technical knowledge, tools, and resources tailored to your business needs.
2. Investment in Scalable Technology
A well-designed technology stack supports CMMC compliance by managing access, monitoring threats, and securing sensitive data.
3. Commitment to a Compliance Mindset
Cultivating a culture of compliance is essential. When teams across your organization understand the value of CMMC, the path to maturity becomes more manageable.8
Ready to improve your CMMC compliance?
Navigating CMMC maturity can be challenging, with roadblocks like lack of clear processes, limited in-house expertise, and the need to balance compliance with business operations.
The solution lies in a structured approach: conducting a readiness assessment, defining a clear roadmap, empowering teams through training, reinforcing security controls, and adopting continuous improvement practices.
At ITS, our expertise in helping businesses achieve cybersecurity and compliance goals means you’re supported every step of the way.
Ready to advance your CMMC maturity level? Our team of experts is here to help. Contact us today for a tailored CMMC compliance strategy that aligns with your business goals.
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