How to Achieve CMMC Compliance: A Step-by-Step Guide with Costs

How to Achieve CMMC Compliance: A Step-by-Step Guide with Costs

If your business wants to work with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), achieving Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is crucial. This step-by-step guide will break down the process, estimated costs, and resources to help you on your compliance journey.

What is CMMC?

The CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is a cybersecurity framework designed by the DoD to protect sensitive data like Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). All contractors and subcontractors in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) must comply with it to bid on DoD contracts.

Step-by-Step Guide to CMMC Compliance

1. Determine Your Required CMMC Level

CMMC Levels:

Level 1 (Foundational): Basic cybersecurity hygiene for protecting Federal Contract Information (FCI).

Level 2 (Advanced): Advanced practices aligned with NIST SP 800-171 for CUI.

Level 3 (Expert): Protecting CUI against advanced threats using NIST SP 800-172.

Cost: Determining your level is free, but consulting a cybersecurity expert for advice may cost $200–$500/hour.

Helpful Resource:

Visit the official CMMC Accreditation Body website: www.cmmcab.org

2. Conduct a Gap Analysis

What it is: A review of your current cybersecurity practices compared to CMMC requirements.

How to do it:

Hire a cybersecurity consultant or use tools like SecureFrame or ThreatSwitch.

Identify areas that need improvement (e.g., firewalls, employee training, access control).

Cost: Expect to pay $5,000–$15,000 for a full assessment, depending on your company size and complexity.

Helpful Resources:

Gap analysis tools are available on SecureFrame: www.secureframe.com

ThreatSwitch cybersecurity software: www.threatswitch.com

3. Develop a Plan of Action

Create a detailed roadmap addressing:

Necessary technology upgrades.

Employee training programs.

Third-party assessments.

Cost: If using consultants, this can cost $1,000–$3,000, or you can do it in-house with templates from CMMC Marketplace.

Helpful Resource:

Explore CMMC templates on CMMC Marketplace: www.cmmcab.org/marketplace

4. Implement Required Security Controls

Examples of actions:

Encrypt sensitive data.

Set up multi-factor authentication.

Establish incident response plans.

Cost:

Small businesses: $10,000–$50,000.

Medium to large businesses: $50,000–$250,000.

Helpful Resource:

Microsoft 365 Government Plans: www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/government

5. Train Your Team

Conduct mandatory training for all employees on cybersecurity practices and CMMC requirements.

Cost:

Use online training platforms like:

SANS Institute: $1,000/person www.sans.org

Coursera: $50–$100/month www.coursera.org

6. Hire a Certified Third-Party Assessor

Required for CMMC Level 2 and Level 3.

Use the official CMMC Accreditation Body Marketplace to find a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO).

Cost: Assessments cost $3,000–$15,000 for small businesses and can exceed $50,000 for larger organizations.

Helpful Resource:

Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization: www.cmmcab.org/marketplace

7. Prepare for Continuous Monitoring

CMMC compliance isn’t a one-time event. Implement continuous monitoring to stay compliant and prepare for re-assessments every three years.

Cost: Ongoing monitoring services (e.g., SIEM tools) cost $500–$5,000/month.

Helpful Resource:

Learn more about SIEM tools on Splunk: www.splunk.com

Estimated Total Cost by Level

Level 1 (Self-Assessment): $15,000–$30,000.

Level 2 (Third-Party Assessment): $50,000–$120,000.

Level 3 (Government Assessment): $150,000+.

Helpful Tools and Resources

Here’s a list of websites and resources to assist with your CMMC compliance:

1. CMMC Accreditation Body: www.cmmcab.org

2. Microsoft 365 Government Solutions: www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/government

3. SecureFrame Compliance Software: www.secureframe.com

4. ThreatSwitch Cybersecurity Platform: www.threatswitch.com

5. CMMC Self-Assessment Guides: www.nist.gov

6. Training Programs at SANS Institute: www.sans.org

7. Online Learning on Coursera: www.coursera.org

Conclusion

While achieving CMMC compliance may seem complex and costly, it’s essential for securing DoD contracts. By following this step-by-step guide, you can protect your business and ensure eligibility for lucrative government projects.

If you need help navigating the process, contact CPRFirm.com for expert guidance tailored to your needs.