What is the primary objective of **CMMC**?

**The primary objective of CMMC is to verify that Defense Industrial Base (DIB) organizations have implemented cybersecurity protections for Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).** CMMC operationalizes requirements from FAR 52.204-21 (15 controls for Level 1), NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 (110 controls for Level 2), and NIST SP 800-172 (24 enhanced controls for Level 3), using a tiered model with defined assessment pathways to ensure supply chain protection against advanced threats.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **CMMC**?

**All DoD primes and subcontractors processing, storing, or transmitting FCI or CUI must comply with CMMC.** Contract solicitations specify the required level; flow-down via DFARS 252.204-7021 mandates verification of subcontractor status in SPRS, affecting over 300,000 DIB entities including small businesses in manufacturing, IT, and logistics, with no exemptions for non-COTS items handling sensitive data.

Does **CMMC** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**CMMC requires external audits or third-party certification depending on the level and contract.** Level 1 mandates annual self-assessments with SPRS affirmation; Level 2 allows triennial self-assessments (OSA) or C3PAO certification (results in eMASS); Level 3 requires prerequisite Level 2 C3PAO certification plus triennial DIBCAC assessment, with all levels needing annual affirmations.

How often should an assessment for **CMMC** be performed?

**CMMC assessments occur annually for affirmations and every three years for certification.** Level 1 requires annual self-assessments and SPRS affirmations; Level 2 needs triennial self-assessment or C3PAO plus annual affirmations; Level 3 mandates triennial DIBCAC assessment post-Level 2 C3PAO, with certifications valid for three years and limited POA&Ms closing within 180 days per 32 CFR §170.21.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **CMMC**?

**Non-compliance with CMMC results in contract ineligibility, potential suspension, debarment, and remediation costs.** Bids lacking required certification are disqualified; primes must withhold FCI/CUI from non-compliant subs; violations trigger DFARS remedies, audits, supply chain compromise risks, and financial/reputational damage from IP loss or program delays.

An **CMMC** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**CMMC directly maps to NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 and FAR 52.204-21, with Level 3 incorporating NIST SP 800-172 subsets.** Its 14 domains and 171 practices (17 at Level 1, 110 at Level 2, +24 at Level 3) align precisely with these U.S. DoD sources, enabling traceability via CMMC Model matrices without reference to non-DoD frameworks.

What is the first step to begin implementing **CMMC**?

**The first step to implement CMMC is to conduct scoping per the DoD Scoping Guide to identify FCI/CUI boundaries.** Map business processes, data flows, and system enclaves to determine the required level, followed by gap analysis against applicable controls and initial SSP development, ensuring accurate assessment scope under 32 CFR §170.19.

What is the primary objective of **EU AI Act**?

**The primary objective of the EU AI Act is to establish a risk-based regulatory framework that prohibits unacceptable-risk AI practices, imposes strict obligations on high-risk AI systems, mandates transparency for limited-risk systems, and leaves minimal-risk systems largely unregulated.** Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, entered into force on 1 August 2024, operationalizes safety, fundamental rights protection, and innovation through lifecycle controls like risk management (**Article 9**), data governance (**Article 10**), and conformity assessments (**Article 43**).

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **EU AI Act**?

**Providers, deployers, importers, distributors, and authorized representatives of AI systems whose outputs are used in the EU must comply with the EU AI Act, regardless of location.** Providers develop or place high-risk systems on the market (**Article 3(3)**); deployers are professional users (**Article 3(4)**). High-risk systems in Annex I/II/III areas (e.g., biometrics, employment) trigger primary duties; GPAI model providers face Chapter V obligations (**Articles 51–56**).

Does **EU AI Act** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**High-risk AI systems require conformity assessment, which may involve third-party notified bodies and external audits depending on classification, but internal assessments suffice for many cases.** **Article 43** mandates internal (**Annex VI**) or third-party (**Annex VII**) procedures; notified bodies (**Articles 28–39**) issue certificates for CE marking (**Article 48**) in Annex III biometric/law enforcement uses or without harmonized standards (**Article 40**).

How often should an assessment for **EU AI Act** be performed?

**Risk classification and conformity assessments for EU AI Act must be performed prior to placing high-risk systems on the market or into service, with continuous post-market monitoring thereafter.** Initial assessments occur pre-market (**Article 43**); substantial modifications (**Article 3(23)**) trigger re-assessments. Post-market monitoring (**Article 72**) and serious incident reporting (**Article 73**) are ongoing, with logs retained at least six months (**Article 19**).

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **EU AI Act**?

**Non-compliance with the EU AI Act incurs tiered administrative fines up to 7% of worldwide annual turnover or €40 million for prohibited practices, 4% or €20 million for high-risk obligations, and 2% or €10 million for others.** **Chapter XII** (**Articles 99–101**) enforces via national authorities (**Article 70**) and AI Office; remedies include market withdrawal, bans, and personal liability.

Can **EU AI Act** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**No, the EU AI Act cannot be directly mapped to other international frameworks in this FAQ, as it must stand alone.** Its risk-based structure, conformity processes (**Annexes V–VIII**), and GPAI rules (**Chapter V**) are unique; organizations assess alignments independently via harmonized standards (**Article 40**).

What is the first step to begin implementing **EU AI Act**?

**The first step to implement the EU AI Act is to conduct an inventory of all AI systems and classify them by risk tier (unacceptable, high, limited, minimal).** Map to **Article 5** prohibitions, **Article 6**/Annexes I/III for high-risk, and document rationales (**Article 6(4)**); prioritize prohibited/high-risk remediation per phased timelines (prohibitions from February 2025).

CMMC vs EU AI Act

Standards Comparison

CMMC

Mandatory

2021

DoD framework certifying cybersecurity for FCI and CUI protection

EU AI Act

Mandatory

2024

EU regulation for risk-based AI safety and governance

Quick Verdict

CMMC certifies DoD contractors' cybersecurity for FCI/CUI via tiered assessments, ensuring supply chain protection. EU AI Act regulates high-risk AI systems with conformity checks and prohibitions, safeguarding rights. Firms adopt CMMC for contracts, AI Act for EU market access.

Cybersecurity Maturity

CMMC

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Three cumulative levels for FCI, CUI, APT protection
C3PAO third-party assessments verify Level 2 compliance
110 NIST SP 800-171 controls across 14 domains
POA&Ms limited to strict 180-day closure timelines
DFARS flow-down mandates supply chain subcontractor verification

Artificial Intelligence

EU AI Act

Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 Artificial Intelligence Act

Cost

€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

18-24 months

Key Features

Risk-based four-tier AI classification framework
Prohibits unacceptable-risk AI practices outright
High-risk conformity assessments and CE marking
GPAI systemic risk evaluations and reporting
Tiered fines up to 7% global turnover

Detailed Analysis

A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

CMMC Details

What It Is

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 is a DoD certification framework verifying cybersecurity protections for Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). It uses a tiered, risk-based model with three cumulative levels, mapping to FAR 52.204-21, NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2, and NIST SP 800-172.

Key Components

**Level 117 basic practices for FCI (self-assessment).
**Level 2110 controls across 14 domains like Access Control for CUI (self or C3PAO).
**Level 3Adds 24 enhanced practices against APTs (DIBCAC assessment). Built on NIST frameworks with POA&Ms (180-day closure), SSPs, and SPRS/eMASS reporting.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandated for DoD contractors/subcontractors via DFARS flow-down, ensuring contract eligibility. Reduces breach risks, enhances supply chain trust, lowers insurance costs, and provides competitive bidding advantage.

Implementation Overview

Phased approach: scoping, gap analysis, remediation, assessment preparation, certification, sustainment. Targets DIB firms (SMEs to primes); requires C3PAO/DIBCAC audits for Levels 2/3, annual affirmations. Typical for U.S. defense sector.

EU AI Act Details

What It Is

The EU Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) is a comprehensive regulation directly applicable across the EU. It establishes a horizontal framework for AI governance, focusing on safety, transparency, and fundamental rights protection through a risk-based approach with four tiers: unacceptable, high, limited, and minimal risk.

Key Components

Prohibited practices (Article 5), high-risk requirements (Articles 9-15: risk management, data governance, documentation, human oversight, cybersecurity), GPAI obligations (Chapter V), and transparency duties (Article 50).
Conformity assessments, CE marking, EU database registration.
Built on product-safety principles; up to 7% global turnover fines.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandatory compliance for EU-market AI to avoid penalties and market exclusion.
Enhances risk management, builds stakeholder trust, enables market access.
Drives better AI quality, competitive edge in regulated sectors.

Implementation Overview

Phased: 6-36 months rollout.
Inventory/classify AI, build compliance systems, conformity for high-risk.
Applies to providers/deployers EU-wide; audits by national authorities/AI Office.

Key Differences

Aspect	CMMC	EU AI Act
Scope	Cybersecurity for FCI/CUI protection	AI systems risk management and safety
Industry	DoD contractors and supply chain	All sectors using AI in EU
Nature	Certification program with assessments	Mandatory EU regulation with fines
Testing	Self/C3PAO/DIBCAC every 3 years	Conformity assessments pre-market
Penalties	Contract ineligibility and debarment	Fines up to 7% global turnover

Scope

CMMC

Cybersecurity for FCI/CUI protection

EU AI Act

AI systems risk management and safety

Industry

CMMC

DoD contractors and supply chain

EU AI Act

All sectors using AI in EU

Nature

CMMC

Certification program with assessments

EU AI Act

Mandatory EU regulation with fines

Testing

CMMC

Self/C3PAO/DIBCAC every 3 years

EU AI Act

Conformity assessments pre-market

Penalties

CMMC

Contract ineligibility and debarment

EU AI Act

Fines up to 7% global turnover

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about CMMC and EU AI Act

CMMC FAQ

EU AI Act FAQ

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CMMC

EU AI Act

Quick Verdict

CMMC

Key Features

EU AI Act

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

CMMC Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

EU AI Act Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

CMMC FAQ

What is the primary objective of CMMC?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with CMMC?

Does CMMC require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for CMMC be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with CMMC?

An CMMC be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing CMMC?

EU AI Act FAQ

What is the primary objective of EU AI Act?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with EU AI Act?

Does EU AI Act require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for EU AI Act be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with EU AI Act?

Can EU AI Act be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing EU AI Act?

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

CIS Controls v8.1 for Cloud & Kubernetes: A Practical Implementation Playbook (AWS/Azure/GCP + IaC)

Measuring NIST CSF 2.0 Success: KPIs, Dashboards, and Continuous Improvement Using Tiers & Profiles

ISO 27701 Implementation Roadmap: Step-by-Step Guide for Extending Your ISO 27001 ISMS to PIMS

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

ISO 27032 vs MAS TRM

NIST CSF vs NIST 800-171

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