Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 is a revised cybersecurity framework that evaluates and enforces the effective implementation of security controls defined in National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-171 (NIST SP 800-171) by any organization in the DoD supply chain. NIST SP 800-171 is the current security standard mandated by the DoD for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal information systems and organizations, and it serves as the foundation for CMMC 2.0 compliance.
Successful CMMC accreditation verifies that a company’s cybersecurity practices and processes are mature, resilient, persistent, and aligned with NIST SP 800-171 controls.
When storing, handling, or transmitting CUI, NIST SP 800-171 is not just important—it’s mandatory, and has been for more than 5 years. The relationship between NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 is direct. NIST SP 800-171 identifies 110 controls for protecting CUI, while CMMC 2.0 verifies the proper and continuous implementation and execution of these controls through its CMMC certification process.
CMMC 2.0 compliance enhances the defense industry’s cybersecurity posture by adopting a comprehensive, consistent, and verifiable approach to and application of cybersecurity across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), better safeguarding CUI against threats.
Once CMMC 2.0 goes into effect, any organization in the DoD supply chain, including subcontractors at any tier or other derived funding and even those that do not come in contact with CUI, must comply with one of CMMC 2.0’s three Maturity Levels. Your contractual obligations, based on your interactions with CUI and the nature of the work performed, will determine which Maturity Level accreditation you will need.
CMMC compliance is expected to be required for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts beginning in 2025. This follows the release of the final CMMC 2.0 rule in October 2024, which establishes the certification as a formal requirement for organizations within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
CMMC 2.0 will be implemented through a phased rollout from 2025 to 2028, gradually appearing in more DoD contract solicitations yearly. The first regulation (32 CFR) defines the CMMC program and took effect on December 16, 2024. The second regulation (48 CFR), which updates the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to enforce CMMC as a contract requirement, is expected to be finalized by mid-2025.
Once both rules are active, contractors and subcontractors bidding on applicable DoD contracts will be required to meet the appropriate CMMC level (Level 1, 2, or 3), depending on the type of information they handle—Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Important: The certification process can take several months, especially at Levels 2 and 3. With limited CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) available, businesses are strongly encouraged to begin preparations now to avoid delays and maintain contract eligibility.
Getting ready to meet the standard takes time – more than most companies anticipate, especially with a C3PAO ultimately conducting the audit. Achieving CMMC compliance can take businesses 6-12+ months depending on their current cybersecurity hygiene, making it imperative to begin preparations before CMMC 2.0 certification is mandated. Companies must comply with CMMC 2.0 and have their accreditation once the rule goes into effect and is included in contracts.
The road to CMMC accreditation can be challenging. With Exostar, you’ll have an ally to support you at each step of the journey.
Exostar’s CMMC Ready Suite combines secure collaboration, assessments, policy generation, and expert guidance into one comprehensive offering—designed to help Defense Industrial Base (DIB) organizations implement NIST SP 800-171 controls, streamline CMMC certification, and stay assessment-ready.
Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 offers a fully managed cloud service with robust cybersecurity features to meet CMMC certification requirements. This trusted Microsoft Teams environment securely stores, processes, and transmits Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and enables secure collaboration with your partners, ensuring data protection and seamless teamwork. With 85 of the 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls implemented out of the box, this solution simplifies compliance for NIST SP 800-171 and streamlines your CMMC assessment.
Take control of your NIST/CMMC self-assessment with Certification Assistant. This powerful tool auto-calculates your SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System) score, generates your System Security Plan (SSP), and tracks your POA&Ms, ensuring you’re always prepared for ongoing compliance assessments.
Simplify policy creation and maintenance with Exostar PolicyPro. Choose from a comprehensive template library to build compliant NIST SP 800-171/CMMC policies or use the AI-powered engine to refine your existing documentation, ensuring your policies meet both current and future compliance requirements.
Partner with trusted third-party experts to handle your CMMC compliance. These specialists focus on ongoing risk assessments to keep your organization aligned with evolving standards. You’ll receive a submission-ready NIST SP 800-171/CMMC assessment, including your SSP, POA&Ms, and SPRS score, ensuring continuous compliance while you focus on your business.
CMMC support is part of Exostar’s suite of CMMC solutions which offer an affordable, simplified path to meeting compliance requirements for organizations in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Designed to address the specific needs of businesses working with the Department of Defense, these solutions streamline the process of achieving and maintaining CMMC compliance.
Exostar delivers a powerful combination of solutions to help you protect sensitive data and stay compliant.
