What is CMMC?
A brief introduction to the Department of Defense’s cybersecurity requirements
The world of cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and keeping up with these evolutions is critically important for all businesses. Regardless of size or industry, protecting sensitive data and technological systems is imperative for businesses, especially those partnering with the Department of Defense (DOD) and other defense-related industries.
As concerns about cyber threats grow, especially threats that stem from foreign adversaries, the DOD has placed an emphasis on securing the cybersecurity of its supply chain. To protect its interests and integrity, the DOD established the CMMC, or the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. For defense contractors, understanding and complying with CMMC isn’t just about meeting a regulatory standard – it’s key to locking down sensitive information, safeguarding data, and competing with other manufacturers and contractors. Read on to learn more about CMMC and its lasting impact on the defense industry.
A Brief History of CMMC
CMMC and its rules didn’t simply appear overnight – since the dawn of the tech era in the late 90s and early 2000s, the U.S. government has continuously worked to strengthen information system security. The roots of CMMC can be traced back as early as 2002, when the Federal Information Security Management Act mandated that each federal agency develop comprehensive information technology security standards.
In subsequent years, various rules and standards were established for government agencies and their partners, including many FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) and NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines. However, as time progressed and technology rapidly advanced, it became clear that these standards needed updating and greater consistency, particularly in the high-security realm of DOD contracting. DOD contractors have access to large quantities of CUI, or Controlled Unclassified Information, making its protection from cyber threats an increasingly urgent priority.
In response to this, the DOD announced the creation of CMMC in 2019 to more closely control the cybersecurity of their contractors and partners. Since then, the rollout of CMMC has slowly but steadily set out to create a baseline for manufacturers to follow with their information security.
What is CMMC, and Who’s in Charge of It?
One of the most important tenets of CMMC is an official audit from a C3PAO, or a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization. These C3PAOs play an essential role in the accreditation process, examining everything from internal policies to hardware and software protections. These audits aren’t simply a matter of checking boxes – they’re rigorous and diligent assessments of every aspect of the information technology in a business. Only after identifying and rectifying any weaknesses can a manufacturer be validated as CMMC compliant.
Though these C3PAOs are the mechanism through which businesses can achieve this compliance, the DOD still has the final say in CMMC compliance. Even after these standards are met, the compliant business is obligated to notify the DOD of any future unauthorized access, data breaches, or other suspicious activity as it relates to their technology.
Why Does This Matter?
When searching for a manufacturer to partner with, defense-related businesses and the DoD must rely on businesses committed to the protection of important data. Partnering with a security-minded manufacturer minimizes the risks associated with data breaches, leaks, cyberattacks, and other information threats.
Your mission-critical components need a manufacturer who remains vigilant against all cybersecurity threats. JR Machine strives to maintain the highest levels of digital security at every stage of production and is proud to have made significant investments in moving toward CMMC compliance.
JR Machine specializes in the precision CNC machining of nickel-based superalloys and is proud to serve customers in aerospace and defense-related industries.
Want to learn about our capabilities, machinery, and certifications? Reach out to us today, and let’s talk about how our team can craft the precision parts your organization depends on.