The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and NIST 800-171 are guidelines by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This framework outlines controls necessary to protect unclassified information held by non-federal organizations, such as contractors.
Organizations must ensure their information technology (IT) systems comply with CMMC and NIST 800-171 as part of their security strategy. Meeting these standards can help protect sensitive data against malicious actors, including hackers, ransomware, phishing attacks, malware, and other cyber threats. Whether your business deals with government contracts or not, having systems compliant with CMMC and NIST 800-171 can help prevent data breaches.
Not only does achieving compliance benefit organizations from improved data protection measures, but it also provides potential federal customers assurance that valuable assets will remain secure throughout the contracting process.
Achieving either certification can be difficult without proper preparation. Organizations should begin planning for either standard as soon as possible to avoid potential risks or issues related to compliance.
