Efficient CMMC Compliance Software: IntelliGRC

Ozzie Saeed

November 2, 2024

Key Highlights

Learn why defense industrial base (DIB) companies must follow CMMC compliance.
Find out how the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) has changed.
Understand that protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is a big reason why CMMC compliance is essential.
Discover IntelliGRC and how it helps manage CMMC compliance.
With IntelliGRC, dealing with complex compliance needs becomes more accessible.
See how IntelliGRC uses automatic tools to make following CMMC rules simpler.
Explore what makes IntelliGRC unique for CMMC compliance.
Learn the advantages of working with GENEDGE Alliance and MEPs through IntelliGRC for better results.
Follow a simple step-by-step guide to achieve compliance using IntelliGRC.

Understanding CMMC and Its Importance for DIB Companies

Recent rulemaking by the US Department of Defense (DoD) will require contractors to comply with information security controls to be eligible for contract awards. The specific controls required are part of the CMMC requirement, which includes several essential cybersecurity requirements. CMMC 2.0 is based on NIST SP 800-171 and is crucial for companies in the defense industrial base (DIB). These companies need to meet specific cybersecurity standards to ensure their systems can safeguard sensitive information that is a part of the work conducted during their contracts. CMMC is concerned explicitly with controlled unclassified information (CUI) and federal contract information (FCI). By complying with these controls, companies can ensure strong security to protect sensitive information and help keep our country safe. Earning CMMC certification allows DIB companies to keep working with the DoD without worrying about losing valuable contracts. This certification shows they can manage this information safely.

Definition of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a comprehensive cybersecurity framework designed to manage and mitigate cybersecurity risks for Department of Defense (DoD) contractors. This framework is essential for ensuring the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), sensitive defense information, and Federal Contract Information (FCI). Built upon the established guidelines of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-171 and DFAR regulations, CMMC provides a structured approach to cybersecurity, which is particularly crucial during an audit. The framework consists of three levels of certification, each representing a different degree of cybersecurity maturity. Level 1 focuses on basic cyber hygiene, Level 2 aligns with NIST SP 800-171 requirements, and Level 3, still under development, will address the most stringent cybersecurity needs. For DoD contractors, achieving CMMC certification is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical step in safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining eligibility for federal contracts.

Brief History of CMMC Development

The development of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) was driven by the increasing threat of cyber attacks on the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Recognizing the need for a standardized approach to cybersecurity, the Department of Defense (DoD) initiated the creation of CMMC. The framework was designed to ensure that all DoD contractors and subcontractors adhere to a consistent set of cybersecurity requirements. The initial version, CMMC 1.0, was introduced in 2020, but it quickly became apparent that a more streamlined and efficient approach was needed. This led to the development of CMMC 2.0, which was released later in 2020. CMMC 2.0 simplifies the certification process by reducing the number of levels from five to three and aligning more closely with widely accepted NIST standards. This evolution reflects the DoD’s commitment to enhancing the cybersecurity posture of the DIB while making the compliance process more manageable for contractors.

Why CMMC Compliance is Crucial for the Defense Industrial Base (DIB)

CMMC is essential for the DIB to assure the DoD that its systems meet minimum safety requirements to protect sensitive data and demonstrate cybersecurity readiness. It also helps DIB organizations understand and maintain good cyber hygiene, which is critical in our evolving digital threat landscape. Additionally, CMMC certification demonstrates that organizations take cybersecurity seriously. CMMC 2.0 is not a simple or easy framework to adhere to. Implementing it can be costly and time-consuming, creating challenges for small organizations seeking certification.

CMMC Requirements

Meeting the CMMC requirement is essential for DoD contractors to ensure they adhere to mandated cybersecurity practices.

CMMC 2.0 features 14 areas of focus, or “domains,” that contain 110 security requirements. These domains include:

Access Control (AC)
Awareness & Training (AT)
Audit & Accountability (AU)
Configuration Management (CM)
Identification & Authentication (IA)
Incident Response (IR)
Maintenance (MA)
Media Protection (MP)
Personnel Security (PS)
Physical Protection (PE)
Risk Assessment (RA)
Security Assessment (CA)
Systems and Communications Protection (SC)
System and Information Integrity (SI)

Historically, these areas have been shown to contain vulnerabilities in information systems where adversaries can access, change, or destroy CUI. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, or the “CIA Triad,” helps categorize the level of protection needed for sensitive data and is the underlying driver for the 110 requirements.

Requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Protection

Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is crucial for meeting CMMC compliance. Organizations that handle CUI need to use strong security measures. This helps keep sensitive information safe. Here are the main requirements:

Access Controls: Limit who can see CUI. Only let authorized people look at this information when they need to.
Encryption: Encrypt CUI while it is sent and stored. This keeps it safe from those who should not access it.
Incident Response Plans: Make plans to respond quickly and effectively when there is an event where information may be compromised.
Regular Security Assessments: Check for weaknesses in how CUI is protected. This helps fix issues on time.
Configuration Management: Ensure the systems and networks that manage CUI are set up correctly and maintained. This helps stop unauthorized access and breaches.

Organizations must have a robust security program. This program should help employees understand why protecting CUI is essential and show them the best steps to keep this information safe.

Types of Information Affected by CMMC (CUI, FCI, CTI)

The CMMC framework is designed to protect three critical types of information:

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI): This category includes sensitive information that, while not classified, requires special handling and protection. Examples of CUI include technical data, legal documents, and financial records. Proper labeling and safeguarding of CUI are essential to prevent unauthorized access and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Federal Contract Information (FCI): FCI encompasses non-public information provided by or for the government under a contract. This information is crucial for executing government contracts and must be protected to prevent unauthorized disclosure and potential security breaches.
Controlled Technical Information (CTI): CTI is a subset of CUI includes technical information with military or space applications subject to special controls. Protecting CTI is vital for national security, as it involves sensitive data related to defense technologies and capabilities.

By adhering to the CMMC framework, organizations can ensure the protection of these types of information, thereby enhancing their cybersecurity posture and meeting DoD requirements.

Incident Response and Risk Management Requirements

CMMC compliance means that groups must be ready to handle problems and have a complete risk management program. These tools are essential for quickly solving security issues and help reduce risks to CUI.

Incident Response Plan:

Steps for Dealing with Incidents: These are actions to manage, fix, and check on incidents. This helps reduce the impacts of security issues.
Reporting: It is essential to report security incidents immediately to the right people. This ensures that everyone can work together well.
Activities After an Incident: After an incident, we should review what happened. This helps us learn and improve our response plan.

Risk Management Program:

Risk Identification and Assessment: Find risks to CUI. This helps teams spot possible threats and weak areas.
Risk Mitigation: Make and stick to plans to reduce known risks. This means putting in security controls and checking them often.
Monitoring and Review: Continuously check and review the risk management program. This ensures that it works correctly and can be updated if needed.

Organizations can improve their cybersecurity and protect CUI by following these simple tips.

CMMC Maturity Levels

The Levels of the CMMC 2.0 Certification

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 framework has streamlined the certification process into three levels, each designed to protect sensitive information handled by Department of Defense (DoD) contractors. CMMC 2.0 Levels

Level 1: Foundational

Level 1 focuses on basic cyber hygiene practices to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI). Organizations at this level must Implement 17 basic cybersecurity practices.
Conduct annual self-assessments
This level is suitable for contractors handling only FCI.

Level 2: Advanced

Level 2 is equivalent to NIST SP 800-171 and aims to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Requirements include: Implementation of 110 security practices from NIST SP 800-171
Annual self-assessments for some contractors
Triennial third-party assessments for critical national security information
This level applies to most DoD contractors handling CUI.

Level 3: Expert

Level 3 is still under development and will be based on a subset of NIST SP 800-172 requirements.
It's designed for the highest priority programs and will involve More than 110 security practices.
Government-led assessments
This level is intended for contractors working on the DoD's most sensitive programs.

Critical Changes in CMMC 2.0

Reduced from five levels to three
Eliminated maturity processes as a separate requirement
Allowed self-assessments for Level 1 and some Level 2 contractors
Aligned more closely with widely accepted NIST standards

Organizations must choose the appropriate CMMC level based on the type of information they handle and their contractual requirements. As contractors progress through these levels, they enhance their cybersecurity posture, ensuring better protection for sensitive DoD information.

Achieving CMMC Certification

Achieving CMMC certification requires a comprehensive and systematic approach to cybersecurity. Here are the essential steps organizations should follow to achieve certification:

Conduct a CMMC Assessment: Begin by performing a thorough assessment to identify gaps in your current cybersecurity controls. This will help you understand where improvements are needed.
Implement Security Controls: Address the identified gaps by implementing the necessary security controls. This step is crucial for meeting the specific requirements of the CMMC framework.
Develop a System Security Plan (SSP): Create an SSP that outlines your organization’s cybersecurity controls and practices. This document serves as a roadmap for achieving and maintaining compliance.
Conduct a CMMC Audit: Prepare for and undergo a formal CMMC audit to verify that your organization meets the required standards. This audit will assess your compliance with the framework’s requirements.
Maintain Continual Audit Readiness: Achieving certification is not a one-time effort. Continuously monitor and update your cybersecurity practices to ensure compliance and readiness for future audits.

By following these steps, organizations can achieve CMMC certification, demonstrating their commitment to protecting sensitive information and meeting DoD requirements.

Preparing for a CMMC Audit

Preparing for a CMMC audit requires a thorough understanding of the framework and its requirements. Here are the steps organizations should take to ensure they are ready for a CMMC audit:

Conduct a Self-Assessment: Start by performing a self-assessment to identify any gaps in your cybersecurity controls. This will help you understand where improvements are needed.
Implement Security Controls: Address the identified gaps by implementing the necessary security controls. This step is crucial for meeting the specific requirements of the CMMC framework.
Develop a System Security Plan (SSP): Create an SSP that outlines your organization’s cybersecurity controls and practices. This document serves as a roadmap for achieving and maintaining compliance.
Conduct a Mock Audit: Perform a mock audit to identify areas for improvement. This practice run will help you prepare for the audit and ensure all necessary controls are in place.
Maintain Continual Audit Readiness: Continuously monitor and update your cybersecurity practices to ensure ongoing compliance and readiness for future audits.

By following these steps, organizations can ensure they are CMMC compliant and maintain continual audit readiness. Utilizing CMMC software, such as IntelliGRC, can help streamline the certification process and maintain ongoing compliance, making it easier for organizations to meet their cybersecurity goals.

The Role of IntelliGRC in Simplifying CMMC Compliance

IntelliGRC helps organizations like yours manage CMMC compliance easily. This software automates challenging tasks related to getting and keeping CMMC approval. It reduces manual work, making compliance tasks faster and more accurate. IntelliGRC is explicitly designed for CMMC needs. It offers critical features like a single place to store all compliance information, track your performance, and create reports on your progress. With IntelliGRC, companies can tackle the challenges of CMMC standards and meet their compliance goals.

How IntelliGRC Addresses the Complexity of Compliance Requirements

IntelliGRC makes it simple to meet CMMC standards. It includes all the tools you need in one place. A CMMC assessment helps you find gaps in compliance and prepares you for audits. IntelliGRC is excellent for any organization. This means it is helpful for both beginners and experts. With IntelliGRC, companies can see where to improve and plan how to fix those issues. It also helps manage risks. It provides tools to identify and lower risks before they become more significant problems with CMMC compliance.

IntelliGRC keeps all your essential documents in one place. It lets you automate different tasks. You can check your compliance anytime you need. This makes everything simpler. Businesses can handle the burdensome CMMC-level requirements more effectively. They can track their milestones, create status reports, and manage documentation better.

Streamlining Compliance Processes with IntelliGRC's Automation Features

Due to the complexities of compliance management, many organizations seek automation to streamline their workflows. IntelliGRC offers the following automation features:

Asset Categories: Enhance boundary-scoping workflows by automatically adding all assets that belong to a CMMC asset category to your information system profile
Evidence Export: Automatically format, name, and organize your evidence when preparing for submission
Shared Responsibilities Matrix (SRM): Templatize control inheritance, shared and transferred risks, asset population, and evidence collection between MSPs and clients
Technical Evidence Collection: Through integrations with 3rd party services like MS Entra ID and Azure, implementation and benchmark technical evidence can be gathered without manual input
Document Analyzer (Beta): Parse, analyze, and map uploaded documentation to assessment objectives with just a few clicks

These and many other features available through IntelliGRC can significantly expedite the time it takes to reach CMMC compliance.

Key Features of IntelliGRC for CMMC Compliance

IntelliGRC has several helpful tools for businesses. These tools support companies in meeting CMMC standards. Here's what they provide:

Gap Analysis & Compliance workspace: a robust and comprehensive workspace for compliance teams to identify gaps, identify actionable guidance, and create task plans to remediate findings
Readiness Assessment: IntelliGRC helps organizations evaluate their cybersecurity preparedness against CMMC requirements, ensuring a clear understanding of their current status
Dynamic Interview Questionnaire: Reduce wasted effort in redundant interview processes through this feature, which adjusts question prompts based on your responses
Continuous Monitoring: ongoing risk management and compliance tracking, allowing organizations to maintain their CMMC certification over time
Centralized Documentation: IntelliGRC provides a single repository for all compliance-related documents and records, streamlining the audit process
Real-time Insights: up-to-date metrics and visual representations of compliance progress, including SPRS scores and evidence coverage
Multi-framework Support: while specializing in CMMC, IntelliGRC also supports cross-walking to other supported frameworks through the Intelligent Control Library (ICL), a proprietary index of compliance content that relates requirements at the objective level
Expert Guidance: built by cybersecurity practitioners with extensive CMMC experience, ensuring users benefit from industry-leading expertise
Cost-effective Solution: IntelliGRC offers competitive pricing models designed to fit various organization sizes and needs within the Defense Industrial Base

With IntelliGRC, businesses get what they need. It gives them an easy way to handle the tough job of achieving their CMMC certification.

Gap Analyses and Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&Ms)

With IntelliGRC's gap analysis tool, businesses can see where they don't meet CMMC standards and link relevant evidence to their analysis. They can examine their current cybersecurity posture and find what needs improvement. After that, they can plan to remediate gaps to achieve compliance while mapping efforts to specific control requirements. IntelliGRC helps them create and track Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&Ms) to solve these gaps. This way, companies know the steps to reach their CMMC level and can monitor their progress. This saves time and effort as businesses aim to be CMMC-compliant.

Multi-Tenant Progress Tracking for MSPs Monitoring

IntelliGRC is also a valuable tool for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) that assist other organizations with implementing, configuring, and establishing their infrastructure. MSPs can monitor CMMC progress across multiple clients and help identify areas that need additional support. Additionally, MSPs can conduct assessments of their client's information systems against multiple frameworks beyond CMMC, where their progress in one security standard translates to others in their evaluation.

Collaboration Between GENEDGE Alliance and MEPs with IntelliGRC

IntelliGRC has maintained a strong working partnership with the GENEDGE Alliance, a non-profit Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) that aids small businesses. Due to the cost and effort required to be CMMC compliant, many smaller businesses that support the DIB supply chain fall short of reaching compliance. GENEDGE helps smaller businesses adopt IntelliGRC through subsidies and hands-on onboarding, which can significantly reduce the challenges and resource restrictions they face.

The Selection Process for a CMMC Enterprise Platform

Choosing the right CMMC platform is essential for companies that want CMMC certification. They need a tool that helps them meet compliance standards quickly. Here are some key points to consider when searching for compliance software:

Make sure the software meets your CMMC needs and fits what you require.
Look at its features, such as automation options, gap analysis tools, and reporting methods.
Think about how user-friendly it is and if it works well with your current systems.
Read reviews to learn about the provider's reputation for compliance software.
Consider whether this tool can adjust and grow as your needs change.

Organizations can choose a CMMC enterprise platform that meets their needs for CMMC compliance by considering these points. Doing this will help them follow all the rules and regulations.

Benefits of IntelliGRC for GENEDGE and Its Partner MEPs

IntelliGRC is a valuable tool for the GENEDGE Alliance and its partner Managed Service Providers (MEPs). It helps small businesses meet CMMC compliance. Here are the reasons why IntelliGRC is unique:

IntelliGRC helps small businesses follow compliance rules quickly with automation. This is great for MEPs and small companies.
The IntelliGRC dashboard shows everyone how compliance is going in real-time. There are no surprises about the status or what needs fixing.
It also helps GENEDGE Alliance, MEPs, and small businesses collaborate smoothly. They can share updates quickly so everyone stays informed.
Plus, IntelliGRC is made to grow with your needs. Whether you have one small business or several, it adjusts easily.

All these benefits help GENEDGE Alliance and its partners support small businesses that want to achieve CMMC compliance.

Achieving Compliance: A Step-by-Step Guide with IntelliGRC

Achieving CMMC compliance might seem complicated, but using the right tools, like IntelliGRC, can make it easier for a defense contractor. Through many engagements, including multiple Joint Surveillance Voluntary Assessments (JSVAs) that reached a perfect 110 SPRS score, the IntelliGRC team has developed a methodology that has proven to be successful in reaching compliance goals:

Scope the Information System
Establish the Assets that are involved in handling Sensitive Data
Identify the types and characteristics of the Sensitive Data
Define the System Boundary as a correlation between the Assets and Sensitive Data
Identify applicable Laws, Regulations, Policies, Standards, and Frameworks
Perform Strategic Gap Analysis
Identify current security functions and capabilities
Associate selected framework controls/requirements with Assets
Analyze gaps and acquire guidance on how to address them to include evidence needed for 3rd party assessments
Define comprehensive remediation/implementation strategies
Formulate an Action Plan
Analyze compliance risks
Determine levels of effort and cost
Create and assign priority to projects, tasks, and subtasks for remediation.
Monitor progress and track goals
Establish Continuous Monitoring
Develop and implement a strategy for Continuous Monitoring
Evaluate and mitigate risks
Create automation for Security Processes, Configuration Monitoring, and Evidence Gathering.
Mature Your Security Program
Educate the team on current security strategies and regulatory changes
Keep informed about modern security threats and industry trends
Generate and update Documentation to reflect new implementations

Following this process and working closely with partners like MSPs can enhance and promote the compliance posture of any organization of any size.

Identifying the Scope of DoD Compliance for Mid-market Businesses

CMMC compliance can be challenging for small and medium-sized businesses. They need to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI). FCI is government data that the public cannot see. This data must have robust security measures to stay safe. These businesses should understand which parts of CMMC apply to them and how strict those rules are. IntelliGRC can help with this. It gives guidance on where to focus to meet compliance. With its automated tools, IntelliGRC checks how well a business is doing and finds problems by doing assessments. This helps small and medium-sized enterprises meet CMMC requirements and use their resources well.

Actionable Guidance and Remediation Strategies

To meet CMMC standards, companies need clear advice and solid plans to solve problems. IntelliGRC supports you every step of the way in your journey to compliance. They know the CMMC rules. IntelliGRC helps businesses put in place the proper security measures and systems. They also identify areas where companies might need to meet the standards and suggest improvement. Using IntelliGRC's straightforward advice and solutions, companies can strengthen their defense against cyber threats. This makes it easier for them to reach their CMMC compliance goals.

In addition to the sheer volume of requirements for CMMC, many controls can be confusing to implement. IntelliGRC is here to support you at every step in your compliance journey, including this one. From reference content pulled directly from framework resources available in-app to strategic guidance baked right into the features, IntelliGRC helps streamline compliance workflows to ensure no small detail is overlooked. Use our Action Plan tool to map remediation activities directly to control objectives and produce comprehensive Plans of Action and Milestones. With IntelliGRC, companies with a basic understanding of compliance principles can complete their journey.

Continuous Compliance Management with IntelliGRC

Receiving CMMC 2.0 certification is not the end of the compliance journey. Maintaining compliance and being ready for audits is critical to a mature cybersecurity program. IntelliGRC leverages several tools to help keep your posture current and implement best practices. It ensures that documents and proof of compliance are always up-to-date and easy to find. With features that automate tasks, businesses can quickly adapt to changes in their compliance posture to keep their CMMC certification safe.

IntelliGRC also features a comprehensive dashboard that keeps you aware and on top of progress toward reaching certification and maintaining your posture afterward. Track details from every avenue, including your scoping, gap assessment, evidence collection, and remediation efforts. Use custom dashboard layouts to build executive reports to inform stakeholders and ensure your cyber hygiene is managed beyond certification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes IntelliGRC Stand Out for CMMC Compliance?

IntelliGRC has many unique offerings. From our innovative features to the ICL, IntelliGRC is constantly pushing the bounds of what GRC tools offer the industry. However, the key characteristic that sets us apart from others is we were built by cybersecurity practitioners. With over 20+ years of experience, we have an intimate understanding of effectively reaching compliance goals. We also uniquely empathize with the plight of the practitioner and develop features that address pain points common throughout the industry.

How Does IntelliGRC Simplify the Compliance Journey for Mid-market Businesses?

IntelliGRC helps small and medium-sized businesses with their compliance needs. Their platform is easy to understand and use, and IntelliGRC knows what businesses need. They offer affordable help from experts in information security. This support makes it easier for businesses to deal with CMMC compliance challenges and can feel confident dealing with CMMC compliance requirements.

Can IntelliGRC Help in Achieving Continuous Monitoring and Compliance?

IntelliGRC is a valuable tool for companies looking to manage monitoring and compliance. It offers many automated tools and features for careful tracking. Regular reports help companies meet their CMMC needs and stay up to date.

What Resources Are Available for Companies New to CMMC?

IntelliGRC is excellent for businesses starting with CMMC. They have experts in information security who are ready to help. They offer affordable custom solutions. Their support helps companies learn about the CMMC framework. They offer all the tools a business needs to succeed.

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