The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a framework developed by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to enhance the cybersecurity practices and controls of organizations within the defense industrial base (DIB). The CMMC aims to protect sensitive data, such as controlled unclassified information (CUI), from cyber threats and ensure the security of the supply chain. However, achieving CMMC compliance is not an easy task, especially for small businesses.

In this article, we will explore these small business challenges and earlier compliance lessons for CMMC in detail and provide some insights and recommendations from earlier compliance lessons to help small businesses overcome them and achieve CMMC compliance.

Understanding the Complex and Evolving Standards

One of the biggest small business challenges and earlier compliance lessons for CMMC. The CMMC standards are technical and detailed, requiring a certain level of cybersecurity knowledge and experience to comprehend them. Many small businesses lack these skills in-house, which can lead to confusion and non-compliance.

Moreover, the CMMC standards are not static; they are constantly evolving and becoming more stringent. The CMMC framework consists of five levels of maturity, ranging from basic to advanced, each with a different set of practices and processes to implement. The DoD determines the appropriate level for each contract based on the type and sensitivity of the data involved. The higher the level, the more controls and documentation are required.

Keeping up with these changes and updates can be challenging for small businesses, as they may not have the time or resources to monitor and adapt to them. Therefore, small businesses need to seek guidance and assistance from reliable sources, such as the DoD, the CMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB), or qualified third-party service providers, to understand the CMMC standards and how they apply to their specific situation.

Lacking the Resources and Expertise to Implement the Required Controls

Another challenge of CMMC compliance is implementing the required controls and processes to meet the CMMC standards. Implementing the controls can be costly and time-consuming, as it may involve purchasing new hardware, software, or services, hiring or training cybersecurity personnel, or outsourcing some functions to external providers. For many small businesses, these costs can be prohibitive, making it hard for them to achieve CMMC compliance.

Additionally, implementing the controls can be complex and technical, requiring a high level of cybersecurity expertise and experience. Many small businesses do not have dedicated IT security staff or sufficient cybersecurity knowledge and skills to implement the controls effectively and efficiently. This can result in errors, gaps, or vulnerabilities in the security posture, which can compromise the compliance and expose the business to cyber risks.

Strategies to Implement the Required Controls

• Consider purchasing cybersecurity insurance as a risk management strategy. Cybersecurity insurance can help cover the costs of potential cyber incidents, such as data breaches, ransomware, or litigation, as well as provide access to expert support and guidance in the event of a cyberattack.
• Implement managed services. Managed services are outsourced IT functions that are performed by a third-party provider, such as cloud computing, backup and recovery, or security monitoring.
• Deploy additional security solutions. Security solutions are tools or applications that help enhance the security of the systems and data, such as antivirus, firewall, encryption, or multifactor authentication.
• Seek professional assistance. Professional assistance is the guidance or support provided by qualified cybersecurity experts, such as consultants, auditors, or assessors. Professional assistance can help small businesses understand the CMMC requirements, assess their current security posture, identify and address the gaps, and prepare for the CMMC audits.

Balancing the Time and Cost of Compliance with the Core Business Operations

A third challenge of CMMC compliance is balancing the time and cost of compliance with the core business operations. CMMC compliance involves conducting assessments, implementing controls, and documenting procedures. All of these tasks are time-consuming and can divert the focus from the core business operations. For small businesses with limited staff, resources, and budget, handling these additional responsibilities can be a high hurdle.

Moreover, CMMC compliance is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. CMMC compliance requires maintaining and monitoring the security controls and processes, as well as updating and improving them as the standards and threats evolve. CMMC compliance also requires undergoing periodic audits and renewing the certification every three years.

Strategies to Balancing the Time and Cost of Compliance:

• Plan ahead and allocate sufficient time and budget for compliance. Planning ahead can help small businesses anticipate the time and cost requirements for compliance, as well as avoid potential delays, penalties, or losses. Small businesses should start preparing for compliance as early as possible.
• Streamline and automate the compliance tasks and processes. Streamlining and automating the compliance tasks and processes can help small businesses save time and cost, as well as improve the accuracy and efficiency of compliance. Small businesses should use tools and technologies that can help automate or simplify some of the compliance tasks and processes.
• Align the compliance goals and activities with the business goals and activities. Aligning the compliance goals and activities with the business goals and activities can help small businesses balance the time and cost of compliance with the core business operations, as well as enhance the value and benefits of compliance.

Demonstrating the Compliance to Auditors and Customers

A fourth challenge of CMMC compliance is demonstrating the compliance to auditors and customers. Demonstrating the compliance to auditors involves undergoing a third-party assessment and obtaining a CMMC certification. Demonstrating the compliance to customers involves providing evidence and assurance of the security and compliance status. Both of these activities can be challenging for small businesses, as they require a high level of preparedness, transparency, and accountability.

Demonstrating the compliance to customers can be challenging, as the customers may have different expectations and requirements for security and compliance. The customers may request additional information or evidence of the security and compliance status, such as policies, procedures, reports, or attestations. The customers may also conduct their own audits or assessments of the security and compliance posture, which may differ from the CMMC audits or assessments.

Strategies to Demonstrating the Compliance:

• Follow the CMMC audit preparation guidelines and best practices. Following the CMMC audit preparation guidelines and best practices can help small businesses prepare for the CMMC audits and obtain the CMMC certification smoothly and successfully. The CMMC-AB provides various resources and guidance for the CMMC audit preparation, such as the CMMC Model, the CMMC Assessment Guides, the CMMC FAQs, and the CMMC Webinars.
• Document and maintain the compliance records and artifacts. Documenting and maintaining the compliance records and artifacts can help small businesses demonstrate the compliance to auditors and customers easily and effectively. The compliance records and artifacts are the documents and files that provide evidence and proof of the security and compliance status, such as policies, procedures, plans, reports, logs, or certificates.
• Communicate and collaborate with the auditors and customers. Communicating and collaborating with the auditors and customers can help small businesses demonstrate the compliance to auditors and customers effectively and efficiently. The auditors and customers are the key stakeholders in the CMMC compliance process, and their feedback and input are valuable and important.

Best way to overcome these Challenges

Small businesses face many challenges in today’s cyberthreat landscape, especially when it comes to meeting the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements. CMMC is a new framework that aims to protect the defense industrial base from cyberattacks, but it also imposes a significant burden on small contractors who may lack the resources and expertise to comply. That’s why you need Consilien, a trusted partner that can help you achieve CMMC readiness and certification. Consilien is a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions and services for small and medium-sized businesses. We have the experience and knowledge to help you navigate the CMMC process, from gap analysis and remediation to audit preparation and certification. Whether you need to meet Level 1 or Level 5 of CMMC, we can tailor a solution that fits your budget and needs. Don’t let CMMC compliance be a barrier to your success. Contact Consilien today and let us help you secure your future.

Conclusion

In this article we explore small business challenges and earlier compliance lessons for CMMC. Small businesses face several challenges in meeting the CMMC requirements, so partner with a professional company that can add value to your business. By achieving CMMC compliance, small businesses can not only secure their systems and data, but also enhance their competitive advantage and business performance.