What It Is

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 is a U.S. Department of Defense (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, risk-based model with three cumulative levels aligned to FAR 52.204-21, NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2, and NIST SP 800-172 subsets.

Key Components

• **LevelsLevel 1 (17 basic practices), Level 2 (110 NIST controls), Level 3 (+24 enhanced practices)
• 14 domains (e.g., Access Control, Incident Response, Risk Assessment)
• Built on NIST frameworks with verifiable assessments (self, C3PAO, DIBCAC)
• **Certification model3-year validity, annual affirmations in SPRS/eMASS, limited POA&Ms

Why Organizations Use It

• Mandatory for DoD contracts to secure eligibility and avoid debarment
• Mitigates supply chain risks, reduces breach costs
• Provides competitive edge in bidding, builds prime trust
• Enhances operational resilience and insurance benefits

Implementation Overview

Phased: scoping/gap analysis, remediation, assessment preparation, certification, sustainment. Targets DIB contractors/subcontractors; requires evidence like SSPs. Higher levels need third-party/government audits.

What It Is

ISO/IEC 27032:2023, titled Cybersecurity – Guidelines for Internet Security, is an international guidance standard (not certifiable) developed by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27. It provides collaborative, stakeholder-driven guidelines for managing Internet security risks within cyberspace, connecting information security, network security, and critical infrastructure protection. Its risk-based approach emphasizes ecosystem-wide threat mitigation over isolated controls.

Key Components

• Multi-stakeholder roles (users, providers, governments)
• Risk assessment, threat modeling, incident management
• Controls mapped to ISO/IEC 27002 (93 controls across organizational, people, physical, technological themes)
• Core principles: collaboration, trust, continuous improvement
• Non-certifiable; integrates via ISO 27001 Statement of Applicability

Why Organizations Use It

Reduces breach risks, enhances resilience, and supports regulatory alignment (e.g., NIS2, GDPR). Builds stakeholder trust, enables market access, and streamlines operations via shared intelligence. Offers competitive edge in cloud/supply-chain ecosystems.

Implementation Overview

Phased approach: gap analysis, risk prioritization, control deployment, monitoring. Applies to all sizes/industries with online presence; no certification, but audits recommended. Focuses cross-functional governance and training. (178 words)