CMMC Compliance: A Daunting Task for Small Businesses

On December 16, 2024, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) goes into effect under 32 CFR Part 170. CMMC verifies that Department of Defense contractors have implemented required cybersecurity protections for Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). To meet CMMC, Defense contractors must meet up to 110 security requirements contained in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171. These requirements include physical and security requirements, including around-the-clock monitoring and controls. CMMC can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to implement and requires audits every three years. For many businesses, the costs and the technical complexity of CMMC can be overwhelming.

Why You Need to Be CMMC Compliant Today

For DoD contractors, CMMC compliance stops being optional on December 16, 2024. The proposed DoD Acquisition Rule of 48 CFR Part 204 makes CMMC compliance mandatory for federal contractors to win and maintain contracts with the Department of Defense. The Department of Justice has already started bringing legal action against businesses and institutions that falsely claim to meet cybersecurity requirements. By meeting CMMC standards, businesses demonstrate their commitment to safeguard sensitive information, reduce the risk of cyberattacks, and protect national security.

However, achieving CMMC compliance can be a daunting task, especially for small businesses.

The Hurdles of CMMC Compliance for Small Businesses

Small businesses face several challenges when attempting to achieve CMMC compliance:

• Financial Constraints: Implementing and maintaining the required security controls can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, which can be especially challenging for small businesses with limited budgets. In addition to technical requirements, there are supply-chain requirements—where did your business acquire its equipment and do you have a technical bill-of-lading for each item?
• Technical Challenges: Small businesses may lack the in-house expertise to implement and manage the complex security controls of CMMC. Does your small business have an in-house CMMC Registered Practitioner and are you working with a Registered Practitioner Organization like Beskar?
• Operational Hurdles: CMMC compliance can disrupt daily operations and require significant time and resources. Firewall changes, system logging, authentication changes, and more can create disruptions to workflow. What is your cybersecurity test, verification, and audit program and who is conducting it? How are you verifying those processes?
• Evolving Standards: The CMMC framework is still evolving, making it difficult to keep up with the latest requirements. Do you have a Registered Practitioner on staff? Are you working with a Registered Practitioner Organization like Beskar, which is certified through DoD’s CMMC validation entity to build CMMC compliant systems?

How Beskar’s SABRkey^TM Can Help

SABRkey^TM offers drop-in CMMC certified full-stack technology infrastructure, training, and certification. meeting all 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements. SABRkeyTM performs all required CMMC tasks such as access control, awareness and training, auditing and accountability, maintenance, physical security, security assessment and monitoring, and so much more.

• Simplified Security: SABRkey^TM provides a user-friendly virtual desktop environment that simplifies the implementation and management of a certified CMMC technology environment. For you and your employees, it looks and acts like a normal desktop - the CMMC compliance happens in the background.
• Cost-Effective Solution: Our affordable solution reduces the financial burden of CMMC compliance and avoids costly hardware upgrades, auditing, monitoring, and maintenance.
• Expert Support: Our team of cybersecurity experts, certified by DoD’s accreditation body to advise on CMMC, provide guidance and support while we handle compliance for you.
• Continuous Monitoring: SABRkey^TM provides continuous monitoring and assessment of your security posture to ensure ongoing compliance with CMMC 2.0 requirements.
• Scalability: Our solution can adapt to the specific needs of your business, regardless of size or complexity.

With SABRkey^TM, you can streamline CMMC compliance, save business costs, and focus on your core business.

Contact us today to learn how SABRkey^TM can dramatically simplify CMMC compliance allowing you to focus on your business.