CMMC Explained: Cybersecurity Compliance for DoD Organizations

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a major Department of Defense (DoD) program built to protect the defense industrial base (DIB) from increasingly frequent and complex cyber attacks. It particularly aims to enhance the protection of controlled unclassified information (CUI) and federal contract information (FCI) shared within the DIB.

CMMC builds on existing trust-based regulations (DFARS 252.204-7012) by adding a verification component for cybersecurity requirements.

DoD’s Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment [OUSD(A&S)] developed the CMMC Framework, working with DoD stakeholders, University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), and industry. The Framework combines various cybersecurity standards and best practices, intended to:

• Safeguard sensitive information to enable and protect the warfighter
• Dynamically enhance DIB cybersecurity to meet evolving threats
• Ensure accountability while minimizing barriers to compliance with DoD requirements
• Contribute towards instilling a collaborative culture of cybersecurity and cyber resilience
• Maintain public trust through high professional and ethical standards

Who is subject to CMMC?

All DoD prime- and sub-contractors planning to bid on future contracts with with the CMMC DFARS clause will be required to obtain a CMMC certification prior to contract award. Some prime- and sub-contractors accessing, processing or storing FCI (but not CUI) will minimally require a Level 1 attestation. A DoD contract will specify which level of compliance a contractor needs to meet.

All DIB members should learn the CMMC’s technical requirements not only for certification but for long-term cybersecurity agility. However, DoD recognizes that many DIB members are small businesses that lack the resources of their larger, prime counterparts. As a result, the CMMC Framework incorporates cost-effective and affordable controls for small businesses to implement at the lower CMMC levels.

Overall, CMMC is designed to provide DoD increased assurance that a DIB company can adequately protect sensitive CUI and FCI, accounting for information flow down to subcontractors in a multi-tier supply chain.

CMMC Maturity Levels

The CMMC Framework requires a systematic approach to certification mapped to three organizational maturity levels: Foundational, Advanced, and Expert.

Level 1 – Foundational. An organization must demonstrate basic cyber hygiene practices, such as ensuring employees change passwords regularly to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI). FCI is “information, not intended for public release, that is provided by or generated for the Government under a contract to develop or deliver a product or service to the Government.”

Level 2 – Advanced. An organization must have an institutionalized management plan to implement good cyber hygiene practices to safeguard CUI, including all the NIST 800-171 r2 security requirements and processes

Level 3 – Expert. An organization must have standardized and optimized processes in place and additional enhanced practices that detect and respond to changing tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) of advanced persistent threats (APTs). An APT is as an adversary that possesses sophisticated levels of cyber expertise and significant resources to conduct attacks from multiple vectors. Capabilities include having resources to monitor, scan, and process data forensics.

Detailed information about CMMC can be accessed at the DoD website

CMMC Framework Levels

The CMMC framework, links the model to a systematic approach to achieve certification level, consists of several assets: domains (14), and practices (110+) corresponding to the certification level.

Level 1 (Performed: 17 practices): An organization must demonstrate basic cyber hygiene practices, such as ensuring employees change passwords regularly to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI). FCI is “information, not intended for public release, that is provided by or generated for the Government under a contract to develop or deliver a product or service to the Government.”

Level 2 (Managed: 110 practices) An organization must have an institutionalized management plan to implement good cyber hygiene practices to safeguard CUI, including all the NIST 800-171 r2 security requirements and processes.

Level 3 (Optimizing: 110+ practices) An organization must have standardized and optimized processes in place and additional enhanced practices that detect and respond to changing tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) of advanced persistent threats (APTs). An APT is as an adversary that possesses sophisticated levels of cyber expertise and significant resources to conduct attacks from multiple vectors. Capabilities include having resources to monitor, scan, and process data forensics.

In conclusion, CMMC is more than a compliance requirement—it’s a vital step toward strengthening cybersecurity across the entire defense supply chain. Whether you re handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), aligning with the right CMMC maturity level is key to maintaining eligibility for DoD contracts and ensuring long-term resilience against evolving cyber threats. At Univate Solutions, we understand the challenges organizations face when navigating the CMMC framework. Our team is here to help you assess your current cybersecurity posture, implement the necessary controls, and prepare for successful certification. Let’s work together to protect what matters most—national security through strong cyber defense.