What are the Implications of CMMC in 2023?

CIAT. Edu in San Diego, California, offers certificate and degree programs for people seeking a career in software development, compliance, and cybersecurity.

What are the Implications of CMMC in 2023?

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC 2.0) will be mandatory for defense contractors and subcontractors starting in 2024. Once CMMC 2.0 becomes implemented, organizations can determine whether they’re eligible for government contracts by meeting these compliance requirements to achieve the proper certification levels.

*Students should invest time in online learning, attend seminars around NIST 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 compliance, and watch YouTube videos about this fantastic subject. 

Purpose of CMMC?

CMMC ensured the safety and accountability of companies to meet DoD assessment requirements of the sensitive information exchanged between the U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) and the contractors who supply them. CMMC ensures DoD shares only secure information with these companies that align with 800-171 compliance security controls. Foreign nationals, state-sponsored cybercriminals, and global terrorist organizations constantly attack the defense industry. CMMC is essential for defense industrial contractors to comply with combating these complex cyberattacks to prevent important national security data from falling into the wrong hands.

CMMC 2.0 also certifies the security measures taken by those companies to make sure they meet the highest standards to handle complex cyber-attacks by deploying, monitoring and maintaining a strict security framework. The primary goal of CMMC is to ensure that the organizations they work with are safe from hackers while maintaining an agile security program.

How is CMMC Different from NIST 800-171?

Because of the lack of certification for security professionals, the Department of Defense (DoD) found that some companies claimed to be certified under the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-171 standard. Still, these companies needed to follow the requirements outlined by NIST.

The most significant difference between CMMC and traditional security testing is that CMMC uses an assessment method called a “maturing” approach. It’s like a certification program, but you pass through each stage instead of passing exams by demonstrating competency.

NIST 800–171 (the U.S. government’s cybersecurity standards) and CMMC (a European Union initiative for cyber risk management) are different security control frameworks. Still, the new CMCC 2 framework became inspired by them.

How Long Does CMMC Certification Take?

The process can take months. Organizations must engage outside firms to validate their approach to align with the CMMC regulatory requirements.

What Does This Mean for your Government Contracts?

CMMC 2.2 requires contractors to comply with cybersecurity requirements and specific standards related to their business models. These firms must show their cyber hygiene practices through third-party risk audits to meet CMMC 2.0 certification requirements. Without CMMC 2.0 certifications, defense contractors cannot bid or conduct business with the federal government or military.

Begin with Evaluating your Internal Resources to Support CMMC

Can CMMCs fulfill their targets and meet their needs? How does the CMMC change the way the organization operates? Do we still need internal resources for the proper certifications and ongoing maintenance?

Supporting CMMC and NIST 800-171 requires experienced compliance, risk, and cybersecurity resources to coordinate and collaborate to maintain this credential. Organizations also could leverage managed security service providers (MSSP) for help in monitoring, incident response, and SecOps to help augment with experienced resources.

Demand for CyberSecurity Professionals Supporting CMMC Compliance

Many IT and cybersecurity professionals should continue investing time into learning more about NIST-800 and CMMC compliance mandates coming in 2023 and 2024. Many employers conducting business with the federal government will need a CMMC level 2 or 3 in 2023 to qualify to bid on contracts. An example of these employers include:

• Boeing
• General Atomics
• Northrop Grumman
• Raytheon
• RESMED
• BAE Systems

Organizations continue the challenge globally to find qualified compliance and cybersecurity talent. CIAT offers 3 tiers of learning paths from certificate to degree level programs dedicated to cybersecurity and compliance to help individuals both military and non-military get access to these in-demand positions.

Real-World Preparation at CIAT

CIAT delivers practical, hands-on, and theoretical training for a comprehensive education that leaves you empowered and ready to take on the world. Here are some resources we offer to get you there:

• Hands-on physical labs kits paired with virtual learning activities
• Software access for certification exam preparation and coding development environments
• Interactive live lectures from certified instructors
• Personalized career coaching and job placement support

CIAT.Edu offers several degree programs in cybersecurity and IT certifications if students want to learn about penetration testing, red team, blue team engagements, and application testing.

Roadmap for Success in the Field of Cybersecurity e-Book

Learn the secrets of developing a successful career in cybersecurity:

• What Are Employers Looking For In a Cybersecurity Candidate?
• What are the Most Important Certifications for a Cybersecurity Candidate?
• Critical Technical Skills Needed for a Career In Cybersecurity
• What Are the Most Common Entry-level Jobs in the Cybersecurity Field?
• How To Develop A Successful Career In The Cybersecurity Field

Applied Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems–Cybersecurity Concentration

CIAT offers a unique spin on what we have traditionally expected of a four-year degree. CIAT students earn in-demand industry IT certifications with each set of technical courses, and graduates complete their programs positioned to compete for in-demand technology jobs.

Applied Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development–Web Development Concentration

The Applied Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development–Web Development Track provides the technical training required for front-end and back-end programming, including designing, implementing, and maintaining web applications. Students will learn the foundations of web development and high-level software programming languages (Python, Linux, HTML, CSS, JS, C#, PHP, SQL, React Native, and more).

These programs will help students prepare for job roles such as Full-Stack Developer, Database Administrator, UX/UI Designer/Developer, and countless more career possibilities!

CompTIA Security+ Certification

The CompTIA Sec+ exam is an excellent introductory IT certification to build your confidence and provide a sound foundation as you study for the CompTIA A+ or CompTIA Security+ certifications.