The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) has emerged as a critical framework for organizations operating within the defense industrial base (DIB). Developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the CMMC provides a standardized set of cybersecurity requirements that contractors must meet to protect sensitive information and ensure the integrity of the defense supply chain.
| Checklist Item | Description | |
| ☐ | Assessment | Has your organization recently (within the last 6 months) conducted a self-assessment or informal audit of its cybersecurity practices against the NIST 800-171 framework? |
| ☐ | SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System) | If already calculated, has your organization uploaded its DoD Assessment Score to SPRS? |
| ☐ | Documentation | Does your organization have the required documentation for compliance (e.g., System Security Plan (SSP), Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), Shared Responsibility Matrix, IT & Cybersecurity policies, etc.)? |
| ☐ | Evidence | Is your organization able to generate sufficient evidence to prove compliance (at least 6 months of evidence)? |
| ☐ | Readiness | If your organization was audited today for CMMC compliance, would you pass the audit comfortably? |
Achieving CMMC compliance is a complex and multi-faceted endeavor, involving the implementation of various technical controls, policies, and procedures. To help organizations navigate this process, a CMMC preparedness checklist serves as a valuable tool. This checklist serves as a guide to assess an organization’s readiness for CMMC compliance. By utilizing this checklist, organizations can evaluate their current cybersecurity posture, identify gaps and areas for improvement, and develop an action plan to achieve the desired level of CMMC compliance.
While the checklist serves as a helpful starting point, it is important to note that CMMC compliance is an ongoing process. It requires continuous monitoring, improvement, and adaptation to evolving threats and regulatory changes. Therefore, organizations should consider a skilled expert in CMMC to assist in, regularly reviewing and updating policies and procedures to align with the latest CMMC standards and industry best practices.
