CMMC 2.0 Compliance: What Defense Contractors Need to Know

Understanding CMMC 2.0

CMMC 2.0 streamlined the original five-level model into three levels: Foundational, Advanced, and Expert. Most contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) will need Level 2, which aligns with NIST SP 800-171's 110 security controls.

Key Changes from CMMC 1.0

The biggest change is the introduction of self-assessments for Level 1 and some Level 2 contractors. Third-party assessments are still required for Level 2 contractors handling critical national security information, and Level 3 requires government-led assessments.

Building Your Compliance Roadmap

Start with a gap assessment against NIST SP 800-171. Document your System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M). Prioritize controls based on risk and implement them systematically. Budget 12-18 months for full compliance.