If you’re like most business owners, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed by the new CMMC certification requirements. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many businesses are in the same boat. The good news is that there are plenty of qualified CMMC Consultant professionals who can help you get your certification.
A CMMC consultant can guide you through the process and help make sure your company meets all the certification requirements. Learn how to find the right consultant for your business.
What Is CMMC?
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a framework developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) that mandates cybersecurity practices for all defense contractors and other organizations that handle DoD data. This framework is modeled after existing maturity models, such as the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), and includes three levels of cyber hygiene maturity: Foundational (Level 1), Advanced (Level 2), and Expert (Level 3).
Why Is CMMC Certification Important?
CMMC certification is important because it establishes a minimum set of cybersecurity requirements that all organizations handling DoD data must meet in order to do business with the Department. The CMMC framework can replace or enhance the current DoD security requirements, which are based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171.
The updated CMMC framework is designed to be flexible so that it can be tailored to the specific needs of each organization. The model is also intended to be scalable so that organizations can increase their level of maturity as their business needs change.
Steps to Finding a CMMC Consultant
Finding a CMMC consultant doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these five steps, you can find a CMMC consultant that is right for your organization:
1. Determine Your Organization’s Needs
Before finding a CMMC consultant, determine your organization’s needs. What type of assistance does your organization need in order to meet the CMMC requirements? Do you need help with developing policies and procedures, implementing technologies, or assessing your current cybersecurity posture? Once you have a good understanding of your organization’s needs, look for a consultant that specializes in those areas.
2. Research Potential Consultants
The next step is to research potential consultants. When researching potential consultants, it is important to consider their experience, qualifications, and areas of expertise. You should also consider whether or not the consultant is certified by the CMMC Accreditation Body (Cyber AB). The Cyber AB is the organization responsible for certifying CMMC consultants.
3. Schedule a Consultation
While doing your own research is crucial to finding a CMMC consultant, scheduling a consultation is equally important. A consultation can give you more insight to help you determine whether or not the consultant is a good fit for your organization.
During the consultation, you should ask the consultant about their experience, qualifications, and areas of expertise. You should also ask the consultant about their approach to CMMC consulting and how they would help your organization meet the CMMC requirements.
4. Ask for References
In addition to research and consultations, seeking references from past clients is another great way to learn more about a potential CMMC consultant. When contacting references, be sure to ask about their experience working with the consultant, the company’s ability to deliver on their promises, the quality of the consultant’s work, and whether or not they would recommend the consultant to others.
5. Best Interest in Mind?
The most important thing to remember when finding a CMMC consultant is to choose someone who has your organization’s best interest in mind. There are many consultants out there who claim to be experts in CMMC, but not all of them have your organization’s best interests at heart. Choose a consultant that you can trust to help you navigate the CMMC landscape and ensure that your organization is in compliance with the necessary requirements.
Get CMMC Consulting with Simple Systems
Simple Systems is a leading provider of CMMC consulting services. We have experience helping organizations of all sizes to implement CMMC framework. Our team of experts can assess your needs, develop policies and procedures, and provide the tools to help your organization achieve compliance. Contact us today to learn more about our CMMC consulting services.
