Cybersecurity is increasingly crucial and even more so for companies that deal with sensitive government information. For companies that deal with the Department of Defense (DoD), high-security compliance is necessary to keep information safe from hackers and general cyber-attacks.
Therefore, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) was created to compel companies to comply with vital security requirements. Companies stand to lose profitable government contracts and face exposure to security breaches in non-compliance.
Passing a CMMC audit the first time is vital, and failure will delay your operations, incur extra costs, and lose your new business. With the correct plan, however, you can easily sail through the process and pass with flying colors. With planning, knowledge of your requirements, and strengthening your cybersecurity controls, your business can easily be compliant with no undue burden.
This article explores six proven strategies that will guide you through the process and increase your chances of passing on the first attempt.
Work With a CMMC Compliance Expert
CMMC audits can become complex, and working with all requirements can become cumbersome. One wrong calculation and one security flaw not addressed can cause your failure in the audit, a delayed certification, and loss of your dollars and your time. That is why having a CMMC compliance expert can make it less complex and easier.
These professionals have significant cybersecurity compliance and expertise in CMMC audit requirements. They can evaluate your security position, detect vulnerabilities, and map a step-by-step journey to closing compliance gaps. They will also ensure that all documents that must comply are in position and that your workers comprehend their role in security maintenance.
By partnering with a specialist, your peace of mind comes in knowing your business is in the right direction. Rather than try to undertake the CMMC audit yourself, a seasoned expert will work through each level with you, improving your chance of passing in one attempt.
Understand the CMMC Audit Requirements
Before you begin your certification, ensure you understand what a CMMC audit involves. DoD developed the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for protecting sensitive information in government, and companies have to abide by specific security requirements regarding information processed in terms of its kind and level of access to information about defense.
The CMMC model is composed of a range of several levels, including minimum cybersecurity hygiene and high-security controls. Your company will have to evaluate at which level your contracts fall and make your requirements a reality in full. Not adhering can result in loss of business and security vulnerabilities.
Start by reading CMMC guidelines and familiarizing yourself with your level’s certification requirements. This will allow you to prepare effectively, avoid unnecessary obstacles, and simplify the audit process.
Perform a Gap Analysis
A gap analysis is one of the most effective CMMC preparation tools for an audit. It reveals weaknesses in your cybersecurity infrastructure by comparing your current security controls and CMMC requirements. With a gap analysis, improvements can be prioritized in advance with less opportunity for failure and costly downtime.
To conduct an effective gap analysis, review your security processes and policies and verify that they align with CMMC requirements and have gaps in outmoded protocols. Verify your IT security controls, access controls, firewalls, and encryptions for compliance requirements. Verify your sensitive information processes and make your workers abide by best practices in such a scenario.
You can act when vulnerabilities in your security infrastructure have been detected. Patching them in advance will make your first-time pass a success and enhance your level of compliance.
Train Your Team
Your employees play a critical role in cybersecurity. With proper security in place, one careless move can jeopardize your business. Workers not following proper protocols can leak sensitive information, and compliance can disintegrate.
To prepare your workforce for a CMMC audit, make them CMMC-aware through continuous cybersecurity training. Train them in proper information handling and vulnerability awareness, including vulnerabilities such as awareness of phishing attacks. Implement continuous security awareness programs to remind them of best practice requirements.
A well-trained workforce helps you pass an audit and boost your cybersecurity position.
Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Measures
Your company will require strong cybersecurity controls to pass a CMMC audit. Prioritizing key areas will optimize security and adherence to requirements.
Start by applying access controls to restrict sensitive information to authorized individuals only. Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and an additional layer of security makes it even harder for unauthorized individuals to get access to data. Data encryption protects sensitive data from cyber-attacks.
Keeping software and security up to date will also prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities. Installing them improves your security posture and maximizes your chance of a successful pass if there is an audit.
Document Everything
CMMC auditors require meticulous documentation to verify your company is following sound cybersecurity practices. Keeping proper documentation is paramount in compliance proving and CMMC audit success.
Begin by having sound security policies defining how sensitive information is protected. In your incident response plan, include a statement describing your organization’s preparation for and management of cyber threats. Document training sessions for workers to confirm that workers understand cybersecurity best practices. Document ongoing risk assessments to show vulnerabilities and countermeasures taken.
Well-organized documentation proves your commitment to security and can be a deciding factor when passing through the audit.
Concluding Thoughts
Passing the CMMC audit on the first go requires you to prepare carefully and with good orientation. By learning about the requirements, discovering security gaps, and getting your employees ready, you can build a strong foundation for compliance. Supplementing additional cybersecurity controls and having careful documentation further strengthens your chances.
The process can be burdensome, but it can become easier with training. If you have no clue how to start, collaborating with a CMMC compliance expert can make a huge difference.
