Shared Responsibilities Under CMMC
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework outlines a set of shared responsibilities critical for organizations working with the Department of Defense (DoD) to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). These responsibilities are distributed among various stakeholders to ensure comprehensive cybersecurity compliance.
1. DoD Responsibility
The DoD is responsible for defining the cybersecurity standards through the CMMC framework. They oversee the certification process, ensuring that all contractors meet the required cybersecurity maturity levels.
2. Contractor Responsibility
Contractors must implement the specified security controls and measures outlined in the CMMC levels. This includes conducting self-assessments and ensuring compliance with the framework to sufficiently protect sensitive data.
3. Third-party Assessors
Licensed third-party organizations are responsible for conducting assessments of the contractors' cybersecurity practices. They provide impartial evaluations and help in certifying compliance with the necessary CMMC level.
4. Continuous Monitoring
Both the DoD and contractors share the responsibility of continuous monitoring of the cybersecurity practices. This includes staying updated with emerging threats and adapting security measures accordingly to maintain compliance.
In essence, the shared responsibilities under CMMC aim to create a collaborative environment for enhancing cybersecurity across the defense supply chain. Organizations must work in unison to achieve and maintain the desired level of cybersecurity maturity.