(Newswire.net — July 15, 2021) —
DoD contractors will have become all too familiar with the newly developed CMMC cybersecurity framework the DoD has developed and are implementing in full scale. This cybersecurity effort has been created using a five-tier system, geared to appropriately defend the DoD and its supply chain at all levels, preventing attacks by foreign state actors or entities.
This comes as no surprise, as ransomware attacks are becoming part and parcel of interconnected business operations. The DoD is hoping to counter this outcome, using a robust cybersecurity framework and associated compliance program all DoD contractors must follow.
Unfortunately, there has been some confusion over the rollout and questions surrounding the cost and feasibility of its dedicated integration could potentially limit smaller businesses from competing.
Potential Compliance Problems & Why They Matter
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a robust, complete suite of cybersecurity practices, installations, and protocols necessary for businesses to become validated for contracting as part of the Department of Defense.
Of course, any rollout of a high-stakes cybersecurity program takes time and energy to implement, but many firms feel tripped at the first hurdle, noting that the CMMC represents an unfair burden thanks to its five-tier system and complex processes.
Many firms report that they’re concerned with the extent of preparation that will be required for CMMC compliance, and specifically with the associated costs and their toll on small businesses.
The DOD’s Response
Since March 2021, an internal review of the CMMC accreditation program has been ongoing. A spokesman for the DoD suggests that they’re aware of the concerns and questions raised by DoD contractors including those small businesses worried about their ability to compete.
To waylay those fears, the DoD is investing in a more accessible media campaign to better explain the core tenets of the program and what the compliance standard will require. They stated that the DoD is also looking into ways to reduce the cost of the accreditation for small businesses without compromising on the cybersecurity measures necessary for competing in a dynamic and ever-changing global market.
A Potential Solution
As third-party verification of contractor’s compliance is required as standard in the new CMMC requirements, firms hoping to chase compliance without having to pay over the odds with labor investment or uprooting their entire IT infrastructure may seem lost and in the dark.
Yet there’s no reason to assume this is so. Using the right Managed Service Provider (MSP), CMMC compliance preparation costs can be minimized. Businesses can integrate the proper compliance and verify approval of that compliance without having to commit to all of the technical cybersecurity work to begin with.
This will ensure that the lightest possible effect on your business practices can be expected as standard, while also gaining the numerous benefits that leading specialist MSPs provide as standard. As such, this can help business owners avoid the overly technical jargon of compliance and instead feel empowered and educated in how to meet with those demands.