What It Is

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 is a DoD framework and certification program ensuring cybersecurity protections for Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Its primary purpose is verifying compliance via tiered levels, drawing from FAR 52.204-21, NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2, and NIST SP 800-172, using risk-based scoping and evidence-driven assessments.

Key Components

• **Three cumulative levelsLevel 1 (17 basic FCI practices), Level 2 (110 CUI controls), Level 3 (24 APT enhancements).
• 14 domains (e.g., Access Control, Incident Response) with practices mapped to NIST.
• Built on NIST standards; certification via self-assessment, C3PAO, or DIBCAC.
• System Security Plan (SSP), POA&Ms (180-day limits), SPRS/eMASS reporting.

Why Organizations Use It

DoD contractors require it for contract eligibility, reducing breach risks and supply chain vulnerabilities. Benefits include market access, competitive edge, operational resilience, and cost avoidance on incidents. Enhances trust with primes and regulators.

Implementation Overview

Phased approach: scoping/gap analysis, remediation, assessment preparation, certification, sustainment. Applies to all DIB firms handling FCI/CUI; complex for multi-tier chains. Requires C3PAO/DIBCAC audits for Levels 2/3, annual affirmations. (178 words)

What It Is

TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is an industry framework developed by the ENX Association and based on the VDA ISA catalog. It standardizes information security assessments for the automotive supply chain, focusing on protecting sensitive data like prototypes and IP. It uses a risk-based approach with three maturity levels: Basic, Significant, Very High.

Key Components

• 70+ controls across 7 groups: Policy, Organization, Personnel, Physical Security, Access, Cryptography, Operations.
• Built on ISO 27001 with automotive-specific extensions like prototype protection.
• Assessment levels (AL1 self-assessment, AL2 remote, AL3 on-site) leading to labels valid for 3 years, shared via ENX portal.

Why Organizations Use It

• Contractual mandates from OEMs like BMW, Volkswagen.
• Risk mitigation prevents breaches, fines, contract loss.
• **EfficiencyOne assessment serves multiple partners.
• Builds trust, enables market access, ROI via reduced audits.

Implementation Overview

Phased: Preparation/gap analysis (1-3 months), remediation/tabletops (3-9 months), audit (2-4 months), sustainment. Targets automotive suppliers/OEMs globally; scalable for SMEs to enterprises via self-assess or full audits.