The Defense Department has released a detailed video explaining its recently proposed rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, focusing on its nuances, complexities, and importance.
Understanding the Proposed Rule
The video aims to inform members of the defense industrial base and other interested parties about the proposed rule for the CMMC program. This effort is intended to assist stakeholders in preparing their comments and input for review before finalizing the CMMC program’s proposed rule.
The public comment period for the proposed rule was opened on December 26, 2023, and closed on February 26 at 11:59 p.m. All comments received during that period will be carefully reviewed and will play a crucial role in shaping the final rule. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program serves as a means for the Defense Department to assess the preparedness of defense contractors, irrespective of their size, in handling controlled unclassified information and federal contract information in compliance with federal regulations.
This program relies on authorized third-party organizations, known as CMMC “third-party assessment organizations” (C3PAOs), to perform certification assessments for companies aiming for different assessment levels. While the department doesn’t directly pay C3PAOs, defense industrial base companies seeking compliance verification will reimburse them, with the department setting their requirements. The critical role of the CMMC program in safeguarding sensitive DOD information from adversaries was emphasized by Gurpreet Bhatia, the DOD Chief Information Officer’s principal director for cybersecurity.
The persistent threat posed by malicious cyber actors targeting defense contractors was highlighted, and the importance of the program in ensuring compliance with cybersecurity regulations while enabling better oversight of compliance status was stressed. Bhatia urged the defense industry and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed CMMC rule to ensure that their perspectives are duly considered in finalizing the rule.
The importance of collaboration in enhancing cybersecurity and safeguarding DOD information against exfiltration was emphasized. In essence, the CMMC program represents a significant step towards bolstering cybersecurity measures within the defense sector, with the collective input of stakeholders playing a vital role in its effective implementation.
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