CMMC 2.0: A consistent cybersecurity framework

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0  – Framework

In November 2021, the Department announced “CMMC 2.0,” an updated program structure and requirements designed to achieve the primary goals of its internal CMMC review:

  • Safeguard sensitive information to enable and protect the war-fighter.
  • Dynamically enhance DIB cybersecurity to meet evolving threats.
  • Ensure accountability while minimizing barriers to compliance with DoD requirements.
  • Contribute towards instilling a collaborative culture of cybersecurity and cyber resilience.
  • Maintain public trust through high professional and ethical standards.

CMMC 2.0 has been changed significantly from CMMC 1.0. The number of levels has been reduced from 5 in CMMC Level 1.0 to 3 and CMMC maturity assessments have been removed completely.   CMMC 2.0 relies upon NIST SP 800-171 as required by DFARS 252.204-7012 for CMMC level 1 and 2, adding controls from NIST SP 800-172 for CMMC level 3.  NIST SP 800-171 is built of security domains, practices and processes and when combined with organisational capabilities they build best practice for the protection of CUI and FCI.

Figure 1: CMMC 2.0: Cyber security practices and NIST SP 800-171 and NIST SP 800-172 per CMMC level

CMMC 2.0 Cyber domains

The CMMC 2.0 framework consist of 14 cyber security domains, 3 fewer than CMMC 1.0.  A domain is a distinct group of security practices which have similar attributes to each other and are key to the protection of FCI and CUI, either individually or in combination.  The following table outlines the domains defined in the CMMC for the protection of FCI and CUI within the CMMC framework.

Access Control
(AC)
Awareness and Training
(AT)
Audit and Accountability
(AU)
Configuration Management
(CM)
Identification and Authentication
(IA)
Incident Response
(IR)
Maintenance
(MA)
Media Protection
(MP)
Personnel Security
(PS)
Physical Protection
(PE)
Risk Assessment (RA)Security Assessment
(CA)
System Communications protection
(SC)
System Information integrity
(SI)

Table 1: CMMC 2.0 (NIST SP 800-171) Domains

Practices

In total at Level 3 the CMMC 2.0 framework identifies 110 practices, associated with the 14 security domains.  17 practices applied at maturity level 1 are referenced from FAR 52.204-21 for the basic safeguarding of covered contractor information systems applied to the protection of Federal Control Information (FCI).  The 110 Practices applied at level 2 are referenced from DFARS 252.204-7012 for the safeguarding of covered defence information and cyber Incident reporting.  +110 practices at Level 3 include those from NIST SP 800-171 and additional practices included from NIST SP 800-172, that are yet to be agreed.

Capabilities

Capabilities were explicitly referenced in CMMC 1.0 and removed from CMMC 2.0. However for organisations to effectively embed cybersecurity into their organisations risk management practices, strategy and operations they should be considered.  Therefore we have not removed them.  

Each NIST SP 800-171 domain comprises several capabilities which an organisation should aim to achieve, to ensure that cyber security and the protection of FCI and CUI is sustainable.  Capabilities are a combination of practices, processes, skills, knowledge, tools and behaviors, when working together enable an organisation to protect FCI and CUI.

C001
Establish system access requirements
C002
Control internal system access
C003
Control remote system access
C004
Limit data access to authorized users and processes
C005
Identify and document assets
C006
Manage asset inventory
C007
Define audit requirements
C008
Perform auditing
C009
Identify and protect audit information
C010
Review and manage audit logs
C011
Conduct security awareness activities
C012
Conduct training
C013
Establish configuration baselines
C014
Perform configuration and change management
C015
Grant access to authenticated entities
C016
Plan incident response
C017
Detect and report events
C018
Develop and implement a response to a declared incident
C019
Perform post incident reviews
C020
Test incident response
C021
Manage maintenance
C022
Identify and mark media
C023
Protect and control media
C024
Sanitize media
C025
Protect media during transport
C026
Screen personnel
C027
Protect federal contract information during personnel actions
C028
Limit physical access
C029
Manage back-ups
C030
Manage information security continuity
C031
Identify and evaluate risk
C032
Manage risk
C033 Manage supply chain
risk
C034
Develop and manage a system security plan
C035
Define and manage controls
C036
Perform code reviews
C037
Implement threat monitoring
C038
Define security requirements for systems and communications
C039
Control communications at system boundaries
C040
Identify and manage information system flaws
C041
Identify malicious content
C042
Perform network and system monitoring
C043
Implement advanced email protections

Table 2: CMMC Capabilities