CMMC
DoD certification framework verifying cybersecurity for contractors
ISO 22301
International standard for business continuity management systems
Quick Verdict
CMMC mandates cybersecurity certification for DoD contractors protecting FCI/CUI, while ISO 22301 is a voluntary standard for business continuity resilience across all sectors. Organizations adopt CMMC for contract eligibility; ISO 22301 for disruption recovery and trust.
CMMC
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0
Key Features
- Three cumulative levels for FCI, CUI, APT protection
- Third-party C3PAO and DIBCAC assessments required
- Direct mapping to NIST SP 800-171/172 controls
- Mandatory SPRS affirmations and flow-down clauses
- Enclave scoping with limited 180-day POA&Ms
ISO 22301
ISO 22301:2019 Business continuity management systems — Requirements
Key Features
- PDCA cycle for BCMS continual improvement
- Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and risk assessment
- Leadership commitment with policy and roles
- Operational planning, strategies, and testing requirements
- Annex SL for integration with ISO 27001
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 program ensuring cybersecurity protections for Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). It employs a tiered, cumulative model with three levels using risk-based scoping and NIST-mapped requirements.
Key Components
- 14 domains (e.g., Access Control, Incident Response) with 17 practices (Level 1), 110 (Level 2 from NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2), plus 24 enhancements (Level 3 from NIST SP 800-172).
- Assessments via self-assessment, C3PAO (Level 2), or DIBCAC (Level 3), with SPRS/eMASS reporting and limited POA&Ms (180-day closure).
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for DoD contracts to avoid ineligibility; reduces supply chain risks, breach costs, and enhances bid competitiveness. Builds resilience, trust, and aligns with broader NIST frameworks.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: governance, scoping/gap analysis, remediation, pre-assessment, certification, sustainment. Targets all DIB primes/subcontractors; triennial validity requires annual affirmations. (178 words)
ISO 22301 Details
What It Is
ISO 22301:2019 is the international standard specifying requirements for a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS). It enables organizations to protect against, reduce the likelihood of, and recover from disruptive incidents. The standard uses a risk-based PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle for systematic resilience building.
Key Components
- 10 clauses (4-10 core): context of organization, leadership, planning (BIA, risk assessment), support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
- Defines terms like RTO, MTPD; built on Annex SL high-level structure.
- Certification model: 3-year validity with annual surveillance audits.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives resilience, reduces downtime and losses, ensures compliance (e.g., NIS Directive, NIST), enhances stakeholder trust, provides competitive edges like procurement advantages and lower insurance premiums.
Implementation Overview
Gap analysis, BIA, recovery strategies, training, testing, audits. Suits all sizes/sectors globally; certification via two-stage process (6-8 weeks).
Key Differences
| Aspect | CMMC | ISO 22301 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Cybersecurity for FCI/CUI protection | Business continuity and resilience |
| Industry | DoD contractors, defense supply chain | All sectors worldwide, any size |
| Nature | Mandatory certification for contracts | Voluntary international standard |
| Testing | Self/C3PAO/DIBCAC assessments every 3 years | BIA, exercises, audits annually |
| Penalties | Contract ineligibility, debarment | No legal penalties, loss of certification |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about CMMC and ISO 22301
CMMC FAQ
ISO 22301 FAQ
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