Compliance

Compliance

Compliance

Why Should CMMC Compliance Be A Priority?

07/2024

5  

min read

Introduction

For companies currently working with or seeking contracts from the Department of Defense or the broader aerospace and defense industry, it is crucial to understand the timeline for achieving CMMC compliance. The CMMC rule is anticipated to be finalized in the fall of 2024, and it will significantly impact DoD contractors. Companies without CMMC certification will be unable to renew or pursue new work, not only with the DoD but also within the broader aerospace and defense sector. This blog will cover the two most important timelines to consider regarding CMMC compliance.

Timelines to consider with CMMC compliance

A common misconception is that companies can flip a switch and pass a cybersecurity audit. In reality, it’s much more complicated. Here are 2 timelines to track:

01
Time to Implement - On average companies take 4+ months to implement controls for NIST 800-171.
02
Time to Compliance - During an assessment, you will be required to show a track record of compliance. Examples that are commonly asked include showing 6+ months of log data, risk management reports signed by company management 2-3 quarters ago, among other forms of timestamped evidence proving these controls have been in place for a minimum of 2-3 quarters. You need 3 quarters using a compliant system to generate the artifacts and evidence of a strong cybersecurity program before going through an assessment. This time to compliance is the same across vendors once you have implemented these controls.

Conclusion

Any organization working with the Department of Defense (DoD) should prioritize the implementation of these controls. By implementing these controls as soon as possible, your organization will have the necessary time to be well-prepared for when CMMC 2.0 becomes enforced in DoD contracts. At a very minimum companies should understand the requirements needed for these requirements and create a plan for when their customers ask them about these requirements.  

If you need help creating a plan for your company, book time with one of our cybersecurity experts!

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