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DOD Unveils Final CMMC Rule for Defense Contractors

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New Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Rule Paves Way for Implementation

Chris Riotta (@chrisriotta) •
October 11, 2024    

DOD Unveils Final CMMC Rule for Defense Contractors
The new Pentagon CMMC 2.0 rule introduces a tiered system and allows self-assessments for Level 1 contractors. (Image: Shutterstock)

The U.S. Department of Defense finalized a long-awaited rule for its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, introducing a new tiered security system to simplify compliance for contractors handling sensitive unclassified information and strengthen protection against cyberthreats.

See Also: Cisco Umbrella for Government: Helping Agencies Meet Their Enhanced Cybersecurity Mandates and TIC3.0 Standards


The Pentagon announced plans to launch “CMMC 2.0” in November 2021, seeking to streamline the certification process and enhance security measures. The new final rule simplifies the process for small- and medium-sized businesses by cutting the number of assessment levels from five to three. The rule also categorizes contractors into tiers based on the sensitivity of the information they handle, with each tier requiring increasingly stronger security measures, according to a Friday statement.


The new rule requires Defense Industrial Base contractors in CMMC’s second and third tiers to undergo third-party compliance assessments. This was a major shift from the program’s current reliance on self-assessments, and the move aimed at ensuring higher accountability and security standards. The change is meant to “verify that defense contractors are compliant with existing protections for federal contract information” and “protecting that information at a level commensurate with the risk from cybersecurity threats.”


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The new rule, set to publish in the Federal Register on Oct. 15, clears the path for the Defense to start implementing the CMMC program, with its requirements expected to be included in federal contracts starting next year. Each tier has increasingly advanced requirements, with Level 2 contractors needing to implement 110 security measures from NIST SP 800-171 on top of Level 1 requirements, while Level 3 contractors must fulfill both Level 1 and Level 2 requirements and add 24 more security measures from NIST SP 800-172.


The new rule also implements an “annual affirmation requirement” that will serve as a “key element for monitoring and enforcing accountability of a company’s cybersecurity status.”


“CMMC provides the tools to hold accountable entities or individuals that put U.S. information or systems at risk by knowingly misrepresenting their cybersecurity practices or protocols, or knowingly violating obligations to monitor and report cybersecurity incidents and breaches,” the Pentagon said.


The 470-page rule permits Level 1 contractors to handle federal contracting information, while Level 2 and Level 3 contractors are authorized to manage specific controlled unclassified information. The Pentagon said that the program aims to reduce costs for first-tier contractors by continuing to allow self-assessments while reserving evaluations by the DIB Cybersecurity Assessment Center exclusively for Level 3 contractors.


The new rule also introduces plans of action and milestones for businesses attempting to obtain certification to help ensure a clear roadmap for compliance. DOD urged businesses in the DIB to “take action to gauge their compliance with existing security requirements and preparedness to comply with CMMC assessments.”


Under the rule, Level 3 contractors who do not meet specific security requirements will be given 180 days after the assessment to develop and implement plans of action. DOD said the rule is meant to enforce DIB cybersecurity standards, safeguard sensitive information and ultimately maintain public trust “through high professional and ethical standards.”


DOD also said DIB contractors can use certain cloud service offerings to meet the CMMC program’s cybersecurity requirements and provided a list of current cybersecurity-as-a-service offerings and resources on its website.





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    Automating Security Auditing and Compliance

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    Deploying Automated Data Backups and Recovery

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    Educating Employees with Security Awareness Training

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    To achieve their goal, ethical hackers immerse themselves in the expanse of security breaches, exploits, and vulnerability scenarios. They leave no stone unturned. Their goal is to protect organizations from malicious attacks, ensuring that the digital fortress remains untouchable.

    Don't underestimate the importance of ethical hacking. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, cybersecurity has never been more pressing. According to a report by Emergen Research, the cybersecurity industry is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.0% to 13.4% from 2022 to 2030. This surge in demand reflects the critical importance of ethical hackers in fortifying digital infrastructure against the relentless onslaught of cyber threats.

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    Becoming an ethical hacker requires diverse skills and knowledge. Understanding the types of hackers is crucial, as it provides insights into how they operate. Armed with this knowledge, ethical hackers delve into cutting-edge tools and techniques. They leverage their skills to identify vulnerabilities and devise countermeasures.

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    The Tools of Ethical Hacking

    Curious about the tools an ethical hacker uses? They have access to a diverse range of tools. These tools allow them to probe and analyze digital systems, uncover weaknesses, and assess the resilience of security measures. While the specific tools vary based on the objectives and preferences of individual ethical hackers, there are several standard tools they employ. 

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    References:

    "Cybersecurity Market, By Component (Hardware, Solution, Service), By Security Type, By Solution, By Application (IT & Telecom, Retail, BFSI, Healthcare, Defense & Government, Manufacturing, Energy, Others), By Region Forecast to 2032". Www.Emergenresearch.Com, 2023, https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/cyber-security-market. Accessed 25 May 2023.

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    PSL’s Easy Guide to Understanding Cybersecurity

    The world of cybersecurity can often feel like a maze of technobabble and obscure acronyms. Yet in an era where our lives increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, it's important to have a basic understanding of the terminology involved. Learning about cybersecurity can help you avoid common mistakes and limit the chance of becoming a victim of these crimes.

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    1) Cybersecurity

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    2) Malware

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    Virus

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    Worm

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    Trojan

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    Ransomware

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    Spyware

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    3) Phishing

    Phishing is a common attack that tries to gain personal information by using deceptive emails and websites. The attacker, masquerading as a trustworthy entity, uses a variety of strategies to trick the victim into opening an instant message, email, or text message.

    4) Firewall

    A firewall is an IT security tool that controls network traffic using predetermined security rules. Think of it as a digital barrier limiting unauthorized access to your network or computer.

    5) VPN (Virtual Private Network)

    A VPN masks your internet protocol (IP) address to make your online actions nearly untraceable. VPN services establish encrypted connections to provide much greater privacy while using the internet.

    6) Encryption

    Encryption converts data into a code to prevent unauthorized access. When data is encrypted, it appears as gibberish unless you have the decryption key to convert it back to its original form.

    7) Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

    2FA is a common security process in which users must provide two different authentication factors to gain access to an account. For example, in addition to a password, you might also need to enter a code sent to your phone.

    8) Darknet/Dark Web

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    9) Data Breach

    A data breach happens whenever secure or private information is released into an untrusted environment. This is often due to a cyberattack on a database, leading to sensitive data being exposed, copied, or used.

    10) Botnet

    A botnet uses a group of private computers that are unknowingly infected with malicious software and are controlled as a group to perform various tasks. Many times botnets are created to send out spam emails or carry out Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

    Closing Thoughts

    Understanding cybersecurity is not just for the tech-savvy; it's for everyone. We are all potential targets for cyber threats, and comprehension of basic cybersecurity terminology can make a significant difference in safeguarding ourselves and our digital assets.

    Employing cybersecurity measures also helps to keep your digital data safe. This might include using a VPN, enabling two-factor authentication, or simply being wary of suspicious emails to prevent phishing attacks.

    Ultimately, it's not necessary for everyone to be a cybersecurity expert, but a basic understanding of the key terms can be an empowering first step in better securing your digital life. This newfound knowledge can provide you the confidence to navigate the online world with more safety and assurance.