Let’s explore the differences between two important frameworks: the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171. While both aim to boost cybersecurity, they have distinct features that we’ll break down for you. So, let’s dive into this comparison to shed light on what sets these frameworks apart: 

Both frameworks can be used to improve your organization’s cybersecurity posture

Both CMMC and NIST 800-171 can be used to assess your organization’s cybersecurity posture. Each framework has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your needs. If you need to meet regulatory requirements, use CMMC; if not, use NIST 800-171.

Both frameworks are good for assessing maturity in five key areas: 

• governance
• risk management
• incident response
• data protection (including privacy)
• technology assurance (which includes risk assessment)

By using either of these frameworks as part of an overall process for improving your organization’s cybersecurity posture–and by continuously improving upon it over time–you’ll be well on your way toward making sure that it stays ahead of evolving threats while meeting compliance requirements as they change over time as well.

Does passing the CMMC certification mean that an organization has passed NIST 800-171?

The CMMC certification is a good way to demonstrate compliance with NIST 800-171 and other standards and will be required for Defense Industrial Base contractors soon (we estimate by the end of 2024). To really stand out from the crowd, defense and aerospace organizations that want to show their commitment to security may find it more beneficial to pursue multiple certifications that dovetail nicely (such as both CMMC and ISO/IEC 27001, or CMMC and SOC 2 Type II) instead of focusing solely on one standard or regulation. By pursuing multiple certifications, you can demonstrate your commitment to different aspects of information security management:

• The CMMC certification demonstrates that your organization has implemented controls over its software development lifecycle processes–a key part of achieving compliance with NIST 800-171.
• The ISO/IEC 27001 standard helps ensure that your organization’s data protection policies are up-to-date and effective at protecting sensitive customer information from unauthorized access by employees or third parties who have legitimate access rights within the company but lack authorization outside those boundaries (e.g., contractors).
• SOC 2 Type II is a prominent cybersecurity framework with shared objectives. Both CMMC and SOC 2 emphasize robust controls and practices to safeguard sensitive data and systems. While CMMC 2.0 targets government DoD contractors and suppliers, SOC 2 Type II caters to service organizations. The former assesses maturity across diverse cybersecurity domains, while the latter evaluates security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Although their scopes differ, both frameworks underline continuous improvement, risk assessment, and comprehensive compliance. Discover how these frameworks fortify cybersecurity and foster stakeholder trust. the cybersecurity game tight to build confidence with everyone in the loop.

SOURCE: Arvind Mistry, Sharetru.